JP2002082731A - User management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user management system which efficiently manages information regarding users belonging to a prescribed group. SOLUTION: A user information managing device 12 manages information on users belonging to a group of persons who are participating in a specific task now or participated in the past and whether each user is effective or ineffective to the current task by using a user information storage device 5. Then, the device manages information on users who are belonging to a prescribed group or belonged in the past and whether each user is effective or ineffective to prescribed object currently executed in the group. Further, the device manages information on users who belonged to groups charged one by one and whether each user is effective or ineffective to the charging of the group. Furthermore, the device manages information on users who belonged to a group consisting of a limited number of members and whether each user is effective or ineffective to the member-number limitation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a user management system for managing information on users belonging to a predetermined group and managing whether each user is valid or invalid. The present invention relates to a technique for performing such management in a system or the like using a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a workflow management system or the like, a person (user) who has performed a predetermined task (work)
Also, users are managed for the purpose of managing a group that performs a predetermined task. In such a system, information of a person who has performed a certain task is often managed in association with the task. In this case, as a method of managing the user information, for example, when registering a person who has performed a certain task, personal information of the person is obtained from the user management information, and the obtained information is used as attribute information of the task. A method and a method of managing user information by associating the user's user ID or the like with the task instead of the acquired personal information itself, for example, are known.

Here, as an example, the case where the name of a person is used as attribute information by the former method (that is, the method of using personal information (name of a person, etc.) as attribute information of a task), for example, In the case where a task has been performed or the name of a person has been changed during management, it becomes impossible to determine whether or not a certain task has been performed by the same person. In the former method, it is necessary to change the personal information included in all task information every time personal information such as a person's name is changed.

On the other hand, the latter method (ie, user ID
For example, in the case where the person corresponding to the user registration is changed and the person corresponding to the same ID is changed to a different person, in the case where the person related to the user registration is changed, Task information cannot be matched. Similarly, in the latter method, for example, when a person is re-registered, the ID used by the person before
If registration is not performed in correspondence with the above, there is a problem that information with tasks performed in the past cannot be matched.

[0005] Further, as a prior art example, there is known a system for charging for the usage time of an application. For example, in an expensive computer software rental method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-230847, hardware consisting of a user machine and a host machine connected by a communication line, a program file for processing various tasks, and a data file A file comprising user management information at the start and end of use of the business program file, the software comprising means for measuring the actual use time of the program file and means for prohibiting unauthorized use of the program file. To check the validity of the file, and at the same time, write the usage start time and usage end time in the user management information file, and calculate the actual usage time of the business program file based on this time information. Calculate the amount.

[0006] Further, as a prior art example, there is known a system in which the access level is changed for each user to change the appearance of information and the information that can be obtained when accessing. For example, in the information browsing system described in JP-A-11-328187, when a client terminal requests browsing of a predetermined HTML document,
The display control processing unit of the Web server terminal obtains an access level from the user information file of the user of the client terminal, determines whether the requested HTML document can be displayed or not for the user based on the access level, and determines whether the display is possible. Alternatively, the requested HTML document is distributed only when the change is possible.

[0007]

However, in the conventional user management system, for example, when a user who belongs to a group of persons who work on a certain task is removed from a work member of the task, the user management system concerned Since information about the user is deleted from the information of the task,
There has been a problem that it is difficult to ensure consistency of information on users who have been involved in the task in the past with the present.

Further, as described in the above-mentioned conventional example, there is known a method of charging based on the usage time of an application.
For example, as another charging method, a method of charging based on the number of registered users instead of the software usage time can be considered.
A method of licensing by limiting the number of registered users can be considered. When adopting such a method, the number of registered users is important,
At present, we want to delete past users who are not actually using the system from the registration.On the other hand, in order to ensure consistency with information on tasks performed in the past, leave personal information of past users. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is not possible to satisfy such mutually contradictory requirements.

Also, as described in the above-mentioned conventional example, there is known a method of restricting an access level for each user. In such a method, for example, contents to be displayed according to the use authority of the user are displayed. Although it is possible to change and transmit, it is not possible to exclude a certain user from being charged, or to disable registration of a certain user as a task member. For this reason, for example, other users may see the past user as if it is a currently active user, and the above user is a currently active user. There was a problem that it was not possible to determine whether or not there was.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional circumstances, and includes, for example, predetermined groups such as a group of persons who have participated in a predetermined task, a group charged for each group, and a group whose number of persons is limited. An object of the present invention is to provide a user management system that can efficiently manage information on users belonging to a group. Specifically, for example, while managing information on each user belonging to a predetermined group, it manages whether each user is valid or invalid for a predetermined target.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, in the user management system according to the present invention, the user management means includes a user belonging to a group of persons who have participated in a predetermined task now or in the past (the person concerned). ) Is managed (for example, stored in a memory), and whether each of these users is currently valid (valid user) or invalid (invalid user) for the task is stored (for example, stored in memory). Manage).

Therefore, for example, even if a certain user has departed from the task participation member in the past, since the information regarding the user is still managed at present, it is possible to refer to the information regarding the user. Since the validity (valid or invalid) of each user with respect to the task is managed, for example, whether each user is currently participating in the task is determined based on this. Can be grasped. That is, in the present invention, for example, regardless of the environment of a task that changes variously over time, it is possible to retain history information on users who have participated in the task and retain the current validity of each user. be able to.

[0013] Here, the users who belonged to the group now or in the past include, for example, information on all the people (users) who currently belong to the group and all the people (users) who belonged to the group in the past. It is preferable that the information about some of the users (users) is excluded from the management target (for example, deleted) according to, for example, the usage status of the system.

The predetermined task may be various tasks. In addition, as a person who has participated in a predetermined task, for example, a person who has performed the task of the task is regarded as a participant, for example, a person who has monitored the work content of the task is regarded as a participant, for example, Can be regarded as a participant. Further, the information about the user may be various information, for example, user identification information (user identification information), user personal information, and the like.

The validity of the user with respect to the (current) task is defined as, for example, whether the user participates in the task (eg, is valid) or does not participate (eg, is invalid). For example, it may define whether the progress of the task is notified to the user (for example, valid) or not notified (for example, invalid), or It may specify other items for the task.

Further, in the user management system according to the present invention, the user management means manages information about users who belong to a predetermined group now or in the past, and each of these users is currently executed in the group. It manages whether it is valid or invalid for a predetermined target.

Therefore, since information on all users who belong to a certain group (for example, employees who belong to a certain company) at present or in the past is managed at present, it is possible to refer to information on the user. Since the validity of each user with respect to a predetermined target that is currently being executed in the group is managed, whether or not each user can currently use the target based on this is determined. Etc. can be grasped. That is, in the present invention, for example, irrespective of the environment regarding the target in the group that changes variously with time, it is possible to retain the history information regarding the users belonging to the group, The validity of the user can be maintained.

Here, the predetermined group may be various groups. In addition, the predetermined target may be various things, specifically, for example, the above-described task, and may be, for example, a predetermined application, a login to a predetermined system, Notification of a predetermined information content (for example, the content of a changed task or the like) by email may be received. Further, for example, the effectiveness of the same (ie, one) user for a plurality of targets may be managed, and as a specific example, the effectiveness of the same user for each of tasks related to a plurality of companies may be managed. Is also good.

Further, in the user management system according to the present invention, the user management means manages information on users belonging to a group to be charged on a group basis,
It manages whether each of these users is valid or invalid for charging the group.

Therefore, for example, since information about all users belonging to a certain group is managed, it is possible to refer to information about the user and to manage the effectiveness of each user for charging to the group. Therefore, the amount of billing and the like can be obtained based on this. In other words, according to the present invention, information on users who are not to be charged can be held as group information, and information on users to be charged (eg, valid users) and users not to be charged (eg, invalid users) can be stored. Can be identified and stored.

Here, various groups may be charged for each group. For example, a group such as a mailing list which is charged based on the number of users who belong to a predetermined group by contract ( Group).

In the user management system according to the present invention, the user management means manages information on users belonging to the group whose number of persons is limited, and whether each of these users is effective for the number of persons concerned or Manage invalidity.

Therefore, for example, since information on all users belonging to a certain group is managed, it is possible to refer to information on the user, and the effectiveness of each user with respect to the number limitation of the group ( In other words, since whether or not the number of persons is limited is managed, the number of (valid users) belonging to the group can be limited based on the management. That is, according to the present invention, information on users who are not subject to the number limitation can be held as group information, and users who are subject to the number limitation (for example, effective users) and users who are not subject to the number limitation can be held. (For example, an invalid user) can be identified and held.

Here, the group whose number of persons is limited may be various, for example, a group (group) in which only a predetermined number of users can be registered by a license agreement. In this case, in the present invention, for example, it is possible to manage whether or not the license is over (whether or not the predetermined number of persons has been exceeded).

Further, the present invention provides the following various aspects of the present invention for the user management system described above. That is, in a user management system according to the present invention, as a preferable mode, the user management means manages user identification information for identifying each user and personal information relating to each user in association with each other. In such a configuration, personal information about each user can be changed without changing the user identification information of each user.

Therefore, for example, when a user who has been invalidated due to a relocation within the company becomes valid again,
Even when personal information (for example, name) of a user changes, it is possible to make the identification information assigned to each user unchanged. For this reason, for example, by identifying the writer (user) of the paper cited in the document by the user identification information, the identity (identity of a person) regarding the user can be secured.

Here, various types of user identification information may be used. For example, a relatively short character string, a number, a mail address, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) may be used.
Preferably, information such as r) is used. Also, various types of personal information regarding each user may be used. For example, information such as a name, a post, and validity (valid or invalid) can be used.

In particular, in the user management system according to the present invention, the information of the user's (e-mail) mail address is used as the user identification information. Therefore, for example, even when a user who has been invalidated becomes valid again, the mail address of the user can be kept unchanged. Can be eliminated.

Further, in the user management system according to the present invention, as one embodiment, user authentication is performed as follows. That is, the user management means manages password information set for each user, the password information reception means receives password information from the user, and the password information received by the user authentication means and the user managed by the user management means. If the password information matches the password information and the user management unit manages the user as a valid user, the user is determined to be a legitimate user.

Therefore, the user can be authenticated based on the password information, and the user can be authenticated based on the validity.
For example, only a valid user can use a predetermined target.

Here, various types of password information may be used, and different password information is usually set for each user. Further, the password information receiving means may be constituted by, for example, a keyboard for receiving information input by the user.

In the user management system according to the present invention, as one embodiment, the number of valid users registered in a predetermined group is limited as follows. That is,
The registration limit number information storage unit stores information on the maximum number of valid users that can be registered in the group managed by the user management unit, and the user registration unit stores new users (that is, unregistered users). ) Is registered as information of a user belonging to a group managed by the user management means (that is, managed), the number of valid users registered in the group managed by the user management means The registration of information on a new user by the user registration unit is restricted so as not to exceed the maximum number of registrables stored by the registration limit number information storage unit.

Therefore, the number of valid users registered in a predetermined group can be limited (automatically) so as not to exceed the maximum number set by, for example, a contract. Can be prevented from inadvertently exceeding the maximum number.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, in the user management system according to the present invention, the user registration restricting means comprises:
When the number of valid users registered in the group managed by the user management means exceeds the maximum number of registrable users stored in the registration limit number information storage means, the information on new users exceeding the number of valid users is invalid user. The information is registered by the user registration means.

Therefore, for example, when information relating to 100 new users is registered collectively, if only 50 users can be registered as valid users (automatically), the first 50 users are registered as valid users. While the remaining 50 users are registered as invalid users, so that information on all new users can be registered and the number of valid users is increased to a predetermined maximum. It can be restricted so as not to exceed the number.

In the user management system according to the present invention, as one embodiment, a search for information about a user and presentation of the search result are performed as follows. That is, the user search unit searches for information about the user from the information managed by the user management unit, and presents the information about the user obtained by the search in a form that allows the user to identify whether the user is valid or invalid. I do.

Therefore, it is possible to search for not only information on valid users but also information on invalid users, for example.
In addition, since the information about the valid user and the information about the invalid user are presented in an identifiable manner, the searcher can grasp the effectiveness of each user related to the presentation.

Here, the information to be searched may be arbitrary, and is determined based on, for example, a search condition (search formula) input by a searcher. Specifically, by such a search, what kind of person is the effective user and the invalid user, what kind of work the effective user and the invalid user have done in the past, and the contact of the effective user and the invalid user You can know information such as the destination. Various methods may be used to present information about the user. For example, a method of displaying and outputting information on a screen and a method of printing and outputting information on paper may be used.

Various methods may be used to present the information on the valid user and the information on the invalid user in an identifiable manner. For example, for each user, whether the user is valid or It is possible to use a method of presenting a flag indicating whether the flag is invalid or a method of presenting different positions and colors to be presented by an effective user and an invalid user, for example.

Further, in the user management system according to the present invention, as one embodiment relating to charging, the charging information creating means sets the effective users belonging to the group managed by the user management means to be charged, and Create billing information based on the number of. Therefore,
It is possible to manage not only valid users but also information about invalid users for a certain group, and it is possible to create information about charging based on the number of valid users belonging to the group.

Here, there is no particular limitation on the method of charging, and for example, a charging amount that is proportional to the number of valid users belonging to the group can be used as the charging amount. Further, the information relating to the billing may be of various types, for example, information for presenting the amount of the billing to the biller or the payee is used.

Further, in the user management system according to the present invention, as one embodiment, information about the user is presented as follows. That is, the valid user information presenting means presents information on the user managed by the user managing means, excluding information on the invalid user. Therefore, for example, valid users and invalid users are automatically (automatically) selected for users belonging to a predetermined group, and information (only) on valid users can be presented except for information on invalid users.

[0043]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a user management system S according to the present invention. The user management system S of the present example is connected to a network 21 such as the Internet. In addition, the user management system S of the present example includes:
For example, the system is configured as a system (for example, a workflow management system) that is used by a plurality of people (a plurality of users) to manage each of these users.

In this example, the user management system S receives a request for user authentication, user search, creation of billing information, and the like via its own (terminal device) input device 1 and at the same time, receives its own (terminal device) request. Although the case where the answer is output via the output device 2 is shown, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a mode. For example, the request can be received from another input device such as a terminal device via the network 21. For example, the answer can be output to an output device such as another terminal device via the network 21.

As shown in FIG. 1, the user management system S of this embodiment includes an input device 1, an output device 2, a communication device 3, an application storage device 4, a user information storage device 5, A restriction information storage device 6, a user information registration / update device 7, a user information search device 8, a charging information creation device 9, an address book management device 10, a user authentication device 11, and a user information management device 12 are provided. Have been.

The input device 1 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and receives various information and instructions input by the user. The output device 2 is composed of, for example, a screen such as a display, and outputs and displays information on the screen.

The communication device 3 is connected to a network 21 and communicates information with another terminal device or the like via the network 21. The application storage device 4 is configured using a memory, for example, and stores various applications used in the user management system S of the present example.

The user information storage device 5 is configured by using, for example, a memory, stores information about a user, and stores and manages the information by a user information management table provided on the memory. The information stored by the user information storage device 5 of this example includes identification information for determining whether each user registered in the user information management table is valid or invalid, as described later. Information (in this example, information of a valid flag) is included.

FIG. 2 shows the user information storage device 5
1 shows an example of a data structure of a user information management table stored by the user. In the user information management table shown in the drawing, user identification information (ID) for identifying each user and information on the name of each user are related to a plurality of (ten in the example in the drawing) users belonging to a predetermined group. (User name), information on the reading of each user's name (reading), information on the password set for each user (password), and information on the department to which each user belongs (affiliation)
And the information (post) of each user's position and information (user's valid flag) indicating whether each user is a valid user or an invalid user are managed in association with each user. Have been.

A specific example of the user whose ID is 1 is as follows. For this user, the ID is “1”, the user name is “Fuji Ichiro”, and the reading is “Fuji Ichiro”. The password is “123”, the affiliation is “A development department”, the position is “chief”, and the valid flag is “valid”, which is managed by the user information management table of FIG.

As another example, a specific example of a user having an ID of 2 will be described.
D is “2”, the user name is “Fuji Jiro”,
The user in the figure indicates that the reading is “Fuji Jiro”, the password is “456”, the affiliation is “C development department”, the job title is “chief”, and the valid flag is “invalid”. It is managed by an information management table.

The restriction information storage device 6 is configured using, for example, a memory, and stores the maximum number of users (registration restriction number) that can be registered in the group managed by the above-described user information management table in the memory. Store and accumulate.

In this example, for convenience of explanation, information of a single group is stored in the user information management table of the user information storage device 5 and the registration set for the (single) group is set. The case where the limit number is stored by the limit information storage unit 6 is shown. For example, information of a plurality of groups is stored in a user information management table of the user information storage device 5 and set for each of the plurality of groups. It is also possible to store the registration limit number by the limit information storage unit 6.

The user information registration / updating device 7 performs a process of registering information about a user in the user information management table of the user information storage device 5 and a process of changing or deleting information registered in the user information management table. . At the time of such processing, the user information registration / update device 7 of this example
Restricts user registration by the number of valid users registered in the user information management table based on, for example, the registration limit number stored by the restriction information storage device 6;
Also, when registering users exceeding the registration limit,
For example, a user exceeding the registration limit is registered as an invalid user.

The user information retrieving device 8 retrieves information about the user from the information stored in the user information management table of the user information storage device 5, and finds out the information obtained by the retrieval, which is the information about the valid user. The information is output in such a manner that it is possible to identify which information is related to the invalid user.

The billing information creation device 9 selects valid users (only) from the users registered in the user information management table of the user information storage device 5 as billing targets, and registers the valid users (only) in the user information management table. Based on the number of valid users (only), information on billing is created.

The address book management device 10 manages, for example, an address book in which mail address information of each user is stored for a plurality of users. In such management,
The address book management device 10 of this example has a function of restricting the operation for an invalid user. Specifically, for example, information about an invalid user is not displayed in the address book, or, for example, information about the invalid user is displayed. The information is also displayed in the address book, but the invalid user cannot be selected as a processing target (for example, a mail transmission partner).

The user authentication device 11 has a function of authenticating a user. In this example, the user authentication device 11 is a valid user and the information of the password (information for identifying each individual) accepted from the user is used. The user matching the one stored in the user information management table of the user information storage device 5 is determined to be a legitimate user.

The user information management device 12 has a function of managing information on the user registered in the user information management table of the user information storage device 5, and in this example,
The control of the above-described processing units 1 to 12 is also performed.

The user information management device 12 of the present example
For example, in a system in which information belonging to a predetermined group is shared by users (only) belonging to a predetermined group as in this example, when displaying information related to group members (users belonging to a group), a user associated with the display is required. Has a function of not displaying information about the user when the user is an invalid user.

Further, the user information management device 12 of the present embodiment
For example, in a system in which information belonging to a predetermined group is shared by (only) users belonging to a predetermined group as in this example, when a certain user is changed from an effective user to an invalid user, The information is automatically (automatically) stored in the group member information (user information storage device 5).
Has a function of executing a process of deleting from the user information management table of the present embodiment. In order to simplify the work of the administrator who operates the user management system S of the present example, the process by such a function is executed. It is also possible.

Next, an example of a procedure of a process performed by the user information management device 12 will be described with reference to FIG. That is, when there is an inquiry from another device (requesting device), for example, the user information management device 12 first
It is determined whether the type of the inquiry is a user information request, a registration request, an update request, or a deletion request (step S1).

When it is determined that the type of inquiry is a user information request (step S2), the user information management device 12 searches for the user information notified by the inquiry. The expression is interpreted (step S3), necessary information is acquired from the user information management table of the user information storage device 5 based on the interpretation result (step S4), and the acquired information is notified to the requesting device (step S3). S5).

If it is determined that the type of inquiry is a registration request (step S6), the user information management device 12 sends information about the user notified by the inquiry (for example, user Name, reading, password, affiliation, post, and flag indicating valid / invalid) are extracted and registered in the user information management table of the user information storage device 5 (step S7). The original device is notified (step S5).

If it is determined that the type of inquiry is an update request (step S8), the user information management device 12 determines the type of the update target user notified by the inquiry. The ID and information about the user who is requested to be updated (for example, a user name, a reading, a password, an affiliation, a title, and a flag indicating valid / invalid) are extracted and updated as information of a user corresponding to the ID. User information storage device 5 stores desired information.
Is registered in the user information management table (step S9),
The requesting device is notified of the registration (step S
5).

Here, in the user management system S of this example, as described above, even if the validity flag of a certain user is updated and the user is changed to an invalid user, as described above, The information is left in the user information management table of the user information storage device 5.

However, in the user management system S of this example,
As described above, in order to simplify the work, it is also possible to set a mode in which information about a certain user is (automatically) deleted in response to a change from a valid user to an invalid user. FIG. 3 also shows an example of a processing procedure when this mode is set. That is,
In this mode, after updating the user information management table, the user information management device 12 determines whether the user related to the update has been changed from a valid user to an invalid user (step S10), and the user has been changed to an invalid user. The information about the user is deleted from the user information management table (step S11), and the update (and deletion) is notified to the requesting apparatus (step S5).

If it is determined that the type of inquiry is a deletion request (step S12), the user information management device 12 extracts the ID of the user notified by the inquiry. Then, information about the user corresponding to the ID is deleted from the user information management table of the user information storage device 5 (step S11), and the deletion is notified to the requesting device (step S11).
5).

Next, referring to FIG.
1 shows an example of the procedure of the process performed by Step 1. That is,
For example, when a request for authenticating the user is sent from another device (requesting device) based on information input by the user, the user authentication device 11 The password and the valid flag registered in the user information management table of the user information storage device 5 are acquired for the user corresponding to the ID (step S22).

Next, the user authentication device 11 determines whether the acquired validity flag indicates validity or invalidity (step S23). It is determined whether the extracted password matches the obtained password (step S
24) If it is determined that they match, the requesting device is notified that the user is an authorized user (step S25).

If it is determined that the acquired valid flag indicates invalid, the user authentication device 11 notifies the request source device that the user cannot log in (step S26). If it is determined that the extracted password does not match the acquired password, the user authentication device 11 notifies the requesting device that the password is incorrect (step S27).

Next, referring to FIG. 5, an example of a procedure of a process performed by the user information registration / update device 7 will be described. That is, when there is an inquiry from the user, for example, the user information registration / updating device 7 first determines whether the type of the inquiry is new registration, update, user information acquisition, or deletion request. It is determined whether or not there is (step S31)

If it is determined that the type of inquiry is a new registration as a result of the above determination (step S3).
2), the user information registration / update device 7 checks (checks) the input information received with respect to the user who is newly registered in the inquiry, and displays a screen for requesting re-input of information to the user if there is a problem. (Step S33).
On the other hand, if there is no problem, the user information registration / update device 7
Extract the user's valid flag from the received input information,
It is determined whether the valid flag indicates valid or invalid (step S34).

As a result of the above determination, if it is determined that the valid flag indicates invalid, the user information registration / updating device 7 stores the input information received with respect to the newly registered user in the user information storage device 5 A request is made to the user information management device 12 to register it in the information management table (step S35).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the valid flag indicates valid, the user information registration / update device 7 can newly register a valid user in view of the number of persons. Whether there is a user information management device 12
(Step S36), and when it is notified that the input is possible (step S37), similarly to the above, requests the user information management device 12 to newly register the input information (step S35). . Also, as a result of the inquiry, when it is notified that a new registration of a valid user is not possible (step S37), the user information registration updating device 7 indicates that the valid flag of the user included in the input information is invalid. After changing to something (step S3
8) Similarly to the above, a request for new registration of the input information is requested to the user information management device 12 (step S3).
5).

If it is determined that the type of inquiry is an update as a result of the above determination (step S3).
9) The user information registration / updating device 7 executes a series of processes (processes according to steps S33 to S38) similar to the case of the above-described new registration with respect to the information on the user specified as the update target, thereby obtaining the user. The user information management table of the user information storage device 5 is updated with the input information received from.

If it is determined that the type of inquiry is user information acquisition (step S40), the user information registration / update device 7 updates the ID of the user notified by the inquiry. Extract and the ID
The information about the user corresponding to the ID is obtained by making an inquiry to the user information management device 12 using (step S41). Then, the user information registration / update device 7 displays the acquired user information on the screen, and requests the user to rewrite the display information (step S42).

If it is determined that the type of inquiry is a deletion request (step S43), the user information registration / update device 7 extracts the ID of the user notified by the inquiry. Then, a request is made to the user information management device 12 to delete information about the user corresponding to the ID from the user information management table of the user information storage device 5 (step S44).

Next, referring to FIG. 6, an example of a procedure of a process performed by the user information search device 8 will be described. That is, for example, when there is a user information search request from a user, the user information search device 8 queries the user information management device 12 for user information using a search formula (step S51), and as a result of the query, , The user information notified from the user information management device 12 is acquired. Then, the user information search device 8 displays information on the valid user in the acquired user information first (for example, on the upper side of the screen) (step S52), and then (for example, on the lower side of the screen). Information about the invalid user is displayed with a mark indicating invalid next to it (step S).
53).

As described above, in the user management system S of the present embodiment, the identification information (valid flag in this example) indicating whether the user information is valid or invalid is provided, for example, for the invalid user. The information can be displayed together with the information on the user's work in the past, and the information of the invalid user registered in the past can be searched. For example, depending on the invalid user, a predetermined operation (for example, system operation) can be performed. And so on). In addition, for example, it is possible to create billing information only for a user who actually uses the system at present while leaving information about an invalid user related to past work or the like in the user information management table of the user information storage device 5. Alternatively, since the number of valid users to be registered can be limited, the number of users and the number of registered users can be realized according to the current situation.

Specifically, the user management system S of this example
Then, for example, information on users belonging to a group of persons who have participated in a predetermined task at present or in the past is managed by a user information management table of the user information storage device 5, and each of these users is Whether it is valid or invalid can be managed by the user information management table. In this case, the user management means according to the present invention is constituted by the function for performing such management.

In the user management system S of this example,
For example, information on users who belonged to a predetermined group, currently or in the past, is managed by a user information management table of the user information storage device 5, and each of these users is assigned to a predetermined target currently executed in the group. Whether it is valid or invalid can be managed by the user information management table. In this case, the user management means according to the present invention is constituted by the function for performing such management.

In the user management system S of this example,
For example, information on users belonging to a group to be charged on a group basis is managed by a user information management table of the user information storage device 5, and each of these users is valid or invalid for charging for the group. Can be managed by the user information management table. In this case, the user management means according to the present invention is constituted by the function for performing such management.

In the user management system S of this example,
For example, information on users belonging to the group whose number of persons is restricted is managed by the user information management table of the user information storage device 5, and whether each of these users is valid or invalid with respect to the number of persons is determined. It can be managed by the user information management table. In this case, the function of performing such management constitutes the user management means referred to in the present invention.

In the user management system S of this example,
For example, the user management means manages user identification information (ID in this example) for identifying each user in correspondence with personal information (user name, reading, etc. in this example) about each user. Personal information about each user can be changed without changing the user identification information.
It is also preferable to use, for example, information on the mail address of each user as the user identification information of each user.

In the user management system S of this example,
For example, the user management unit manages the password information (in this example, the password) set for each user, and receives the password information from the user, and the user authentication device 11 transmits the received password information and the user management unit. If the password information of the user managed by the user matches and the user management unit manages the user as an effective user, the user can be determined to be an authorized user. In this case, a password information receiving unit according to the present invention is configured by a function of receiving password information from a user,
The function of authenticating the user based on the received password information and the validity / invalidity of the user constitutes a user authentication means according to the present invention.

In the user management system S of this example,
For example, information on the maximum number of valid users that can be registered in the group managed by the user management means is stored in the restriction information storage device 6, and the user information registration / update device 7 stores information on the new user. Is registered as information on users belonging to the group, the registration of information on new users can be restricted so that the number of valid users registered in the group does not exceed the maximum number that can be registered. . In this case, the function of registering information on a new user constitutes the user registration means according to the present invention, and the function of storing information on the maximum number of valid users that can be registered is referred to as the limited number of registrations according to the present invention. The information storage means is constituted, and the function of restricting the registration of user information based on the maximum number constitutes the user registration restriction means according to the present invention.

Further, in the user management system S of this example,
For example, when the number of valid users registered in the group managed by the user management means exceeds the maximum number of registrable users stored in the restriction information storage device 6, the user registration restriction means described above The user information registration / update device 7 can register the information about the new user exceeding the information as the information about the invalid user.

In the user management system S of this example,
For example, the user information search device 9 searches for information about the user from the information managed by the user management means, and can identify whether the user is valid or invalid based on the information about the user obtained by the search. It can be presented in a manner. In this case, the function of performing such presentation constitutes a user search means according to the present invention.

In the user management system S of this example,
For example, the billing information creating device 9 can create billing information based on the number of valid users, with the valid users belonging to the group managed by the user management means as the billing targets. In this case, the function for creating such billing information constitutes billing information creating means according to the present invention.

In the user management system S of this example,
For example, information on a user managed by the user management means can be presented except for information on an invalid user. In this case, the effective user information presenting means according to the present invention is constituted by the function of performing such presentation.

Here, the configuration of the user management system according to the present invention is not necessarily limited to the one described above, and various configurations may be used. Further, the application field of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described fields, and the present invention can be applied to various fields.

In the above-described embodiment, various processes performed by the user management device according to the present invention are executed by a control program (application) in which a processor is stored in a ROM in a hardware resource including a processor and a memory. However, for example, each functional unit for executing the processing may be configured as an independent hardware circuit. Further, the present invention can be understood as a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD-ROM storing the above-mentioned control program. By letting the processor execute,
The processing according to the present invention can be performed.

[0094]

As described above, according to the user management system of the present invention, information on users belonging to a group of persons who have participated in a predetermined task at present or in the past is managed, and each of these users In this case, whether the task is valid or invalid is managed, so that information about users who belong to the group at present and in the past can be efficiently managed.

Further, according to the user management system of the present invention, information on users who belonged to a predetermined group at present or in the past is managed, and each of these users is set as a predetermined target currently executed in the group. In this case, whether the information is valid or invalid is managed, so that information about users who belong to the group at present and in the past can be efficiently managed.

Further, according to the user management system of the present invention, it is possible to manage information on users belonging to a group to be charged on a group basis, and to determine whether each of these users is effective for charging the group. Since the invalidity is managed, the information on the users belonging to the group can be efficiently managed.

According to the user management system of the present invention, information on users belonging to a group whose number of persons is restricted is managed, and whether each of these users is valid or invalid with respect to the number of persons is restricted. Is managed, it is possible to efficiently manage information on users belonging to the group.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a user information management table stored by a user information storage device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a process performed by a user information management device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a process performed by the user authentication device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a process performed by the user information registration / update device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a process performed by the user information search device.

[Explanation of symbols]

S. User management system, 1. Input device, 2.
-Output device, 3-Communication device, 4-Application storage device, 5-User information storage device, 6-Restricted information storage device, 7-User information registration / update device, 8-
· User information retrieval device, 9 · · Billing information creation device, 1
0: address book management device, 11: user authentication device,
12. User information management device, 21. Network,

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Motoyuki Takaai 430 Sakai Nakaicho, Ashigara-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Green Tech Nakai Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Inside the company (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Takeo 430 Sakai Nakaicho, Kanagawa Prefecture Green Tech Nakai Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Kurosawa 430 Sakai Nakaicho Sakaigami, Kanagawa Prefecture Green Tech Nakai Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Invention Shoichi Hayashi 430 Sakai, Nakai-machi, Ashigara-kami, Kanagawa Prefecture Green Tech Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5B076 FB01

Claims (12)

[Claims] The present invention manages information about users who belong to a group of persons who have participated in a predetermined task at present or in the past, and determines whether each of these users is currently valid or invalid for the task. A user management system comprising a user management means for managing. 2. Managing information relating to users who belonged to a predetermined group now or in the past, and each of these users is valid or invalid for a predetermined target currently executed in the group. A user management system characterized by comprising a user management means for managing the above. 3. A user management means for managing information on users belonging to a group which is charged on a group basis, and managing whether each of these users is valid or invalid for charging for the group. A user management system comprising: 4. A user management means for managing information on users belonging to a group whose number of persons is limited and managing whether each user is valid or invalid with respect to the number of persons. A user management system characterized by the following. 5. The user management system according to claim 1, wherein the user management means manages user identification information for identifying each user and personal information relating to each user in association with each other. A user management system wherein personal information about each user can be changed without changing user identification information of each user. 6. The user management system according to claim 5, wherein information of a user's mail address is used as the user identification information. 7. The user management system according to claim 1, wherein the user management means manages password information set for each user, and the system includes a password information transmitted from the user. Receiving the password information receiving means, and receiving the password information and the password information of the user managed by the user management means that match with each other and managing the user as a valid user by the user management means; A user authentication unit that determines that the user is a legitimate user. 8. The user management system according to claim 1, wherein information on a new user is registered as information on a user belonging to a group managed by the user management unit. A registration limit number information storage unit that stores information on the maximum number of valid users that can be registered in a group managed by the user management unit; User registration restriction means for restricting the registration of information on a new user by the user registration means so that the number does not exceed the maximum number of registrars stored by the registration restriction number information storage means. User management system. 9. The user management system according to claim 8, wherein the user registration restriction unit stores the number of valid users registered in the group managed by the user management unit in the registration restriction number information storage unit. A user management system characterized in that when the number exceeds the maximum possible number, information on the new user exceeding the maximum number is registered as information on an invalid user by a user registration unit. 10. The user management system according to claim 1, wherein information related to the user is searched from information managed by the user management unit, and the information related to the user acquired by the search is searched for. A user management system, comprising: a user search unit that presents whether the user is valid or invalid in a distinguishable manner. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein
In the user management system described in the paragraph, charging information creation means for creating information on charging based on the number of the effective users, with the effective users belonging to the group managed by the user management means being charged. A user management system, characterized in that: 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The user management system according to claim 1, further comprising valid user information presenting means for presenting information about the user managed by the user managing means, excluding information about invalid users.