JP2002245007A - Information processor, network system, information processing method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor which can efficiently manage a device and with which a user can efficiently perform work using the device. SOLUTION: In the information processor (an image processor adaptive to network) 110(x) which can be used from a user side 120 through a network 130, the own processor 110(x) and another processor 110(y) on the network 130 are managed. The user side 120 which can use the own processor 110(x) is managed. Then, the user-side using the own processor (110(x) is authenticated (POP: Post Office Protocol authentication and the like) by an electronic mail through the network 130 based on management information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, an apparatus or system for managing the use of a device (management of the upper limit of the number of copies or prints, management of a count, etc.) via a network for each user. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a network system, an information processing method, and a storage medium in which processing steps for executing the information processing apparatus are readable by a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in an image processing apparatus that can be used via a network (hereinafter, also referred to as "network-compatible image processing apparatus"), when use management (device management) of the apparatus is performed for each user, There is no unit for authenticating the user of the image processing apparatus connected to the network in a unified manner, and a unit for authenticating the user by the following method is used for each apparatus. Information of users who can use the device (users whose use is permitted) is registered in advance. When user information is input by a user who uses the apparatus, it is determined whether the user information is correct, by determining whether the user information is registered in advance as described above. Only the user confirmed to be the correct user above is permitted to use the device, and the number of paper sheets consumed by using the device is counted up for the corresponding user information. .

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional device management method, a plurality of apparatuses used or expected to be used by a user are previously determined.
It was necessary to register information on users who are permitted to use the target device. This is not efficient in device management. In addition, since the user has to store the user information registered by himself / herself for each device to be used, the work by using the device cannot be performed efficiently.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it is possible to efficiently perform device management, and also to enable a user to efficiently perform work by using a device. Information processing equipment,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a network system, an information processing method, and processing steps for executing the method.

[0005]

For such a purpose,
A first invention is an information processing apparatus that can be used by a user via a network, the apparatus managing means for managing the own apparatus and other apparatuses on the network, and the information processing apparatus for managing the user. A user management means for performing the authentication, and an authentication means for performing authentication on the user side by an authentication server on the network based on management information in the device management means and the user management means.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect,
The device management means manages at least one of information for identifying the own device and another device on the network, performance information, and operation status information.

[0007] A third invention is the above-mentioned first invention, wherein:
The user management means includes a device use restriction on the user side,
At least one of an authentication method and a security level is managed.

[0008] In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect,
The authentication means performs authentication on the user side by accessing a mail server or another authentication server on the network.

In a fifth aspect based on the first aspect,
The authentication means includes first means for performing authentication on the user side by a user name of an e-mail address, and second means for performing authentication on the user side by a user name and a password of an e-mail address. And

In a sixth aspect based on the first aspect,
For the user side authenticated by the authentication means,
It is characterized by comprising a notifying means for notifying information about its own device by e-mail via the network.

In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect,
The notifying unit is characterized by notifying at least one of a use result of the own apparatus, a use state, presence / absence of a failure in the own apparatus, and a current use state with respect to a preset available resource limit.

An eighth invention is a network system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other via a network, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices is connected.
The one device has the function of the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is an apparatus which can be used by a user via a network and an information processing method for managing the user, which manages the own apparatus and other apparatuses on the network. A device management step to perform, a user management step to perform management on the user side, and authentication of the user side by an authentication server via the network based on management information in the device management step and the user management step. Performing an authentication step.

[0014] A tenth invention is an information processing method for managing at least its own device and a user side in a device that can be used from a user side via a network. A device management step of managing at least one of the information for identifying the device, the performance information, and the operation status, and a user managing at least one of the upper limit of device usage on the user side, the user authentication method, and the security level. The management step and the user management step include a POP authentication step of performing user authentication of the user using a mail server among authentication servers on the network.

In an eleventh aspect based on the tenth aspect, the POP authentication step includes a simple authentication step of performing user authentication using only the user name of the e-mail address, and a user authentication step of performing user authentication based on the user name and password. And a step.

In a twelfth aspect based on the tenth aspect, in the POP authentication step, the result of use or the status of use is transmitted to the user who has performed the user authentication or its own device administrator via the network. A use result notifying step of notifying by e-mail, and an occurrence notifying step of notifying the user who has performed the user authentication or the own apparatus administrator of the occurrence of an error in the own apparatus by e-mail via the network. A warning notification step of notifying the user who has performed the user authentication or the administrator of the apparatus itself that the preset upper limit value of available resources has been reached or approached by e-mail via the network. It is characterized by including.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects or the functions of the network system according to the eighth aspect. It is characterized by being recorded on a medium.

A fourteenth invention is characterized in that a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 12 is recorded on a computer-readable storage medium.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Overall Configuration of the Present Embodiment> The present invention is applied to, for example, a network system 100 as shown in FIG. Network system 10 of the present embodiment
0, as shown in FIG. 1, the client-side terminal device 120 and the image processing devices 110 (1), 110
(2),... Are connected via a network 130 so that they can communicate with each other.

Terminal device 12 on the client (user) side
0 is a personal computer (PC). The image processing devices 110 (1), 110 (2),.
Multi-function peripheral (MFP: Mu1ti Function)
n Peripheral). Network 13
0 is Ethernet (registered trademark) (Ethemet (registered trademark)).

The network 1 between the terminal device 120 on the user side and the image processing devices 110 (1), 110 (2),.
The communication via 30 specifies an IP address and a port number and is based on IP packet data.

In FIG. 1, for simplicity of description, 1
Although the terminal device 120 on one user side is configured to be connected to the network 130, the number of connected terminals is not limited to this. Further, the image processing devices 110 (1), 110
Since (2),... Have the same configuration, in the following description, these image processing devices 110 (1),
Focus on any image processing device 110 (x) among 0 (2),. Further, the terminal device 120 on the user side is a PC, the image processing device 110 (x) is an MFP, and the network 1130 is an Ethernet. However, this is an example and not a limitation.

The image processing apparatus 110 (x) includes, for example, a controller (Controlle) as shown in FIG.
r) 101, scanner engine (Scanner En)
gine) 102, laser beam printer engine (Laser Beam Printer Engine)
e 1) 103, Finisher
(Stapler) 104, Network interface (Network (Ethernet) Int)
interface 105 and a user interface 106.

The controller 101 includes the image processing device 11
It controls the overall operation of 0 (x). The scanner engine 102 is controlled by the controller 101.
The finisher 104 is connected to the laser beam printer engine 103. Finisher 104
Is capable of collectively performing a stapling (stapling) process on a plurality of recording media (such as paper media) output from the laser beam printer engine 103. The laser beam printer engine 103 and the finisher 104 are controlled by the controller 101.

The network interface 105 is
The controller 101 provides two-way communication via the network 130. In addition, the network interface 105 is connected to, for example, a “Superviso” described later from the outside (the terminal device 120 on the user side or the like).
Based on the inquiry to "r", an outline of functions provided by the image processing apparatus 100 (such as what kind of job can be issued), a sub-address used for job issuance, and details of each function are provided to the inquiry destination. Provides various information such as information (maximum number of copies, type of finisher, supported PDL, number of output BINs that can be specified, etc.).

User interface 106 (operation unit)
Includes an LCD display, a keyboard, and the like, which will be described later.
Tell 01.

<Hardware and Software Configuration of Image Processing Apparatus 110 (x)> FIG.
(X) shows the hardware configuration of the controller 101. The controller 101 includes a CPU 301 and a memory 30 as shown in FIG.
2. ROM 310 and storage medium (DISK) 311
Are communicably connected to each other via a bus 309.

The bus 309 includes the scanner engine 102, the laser beam printer engine 103, the finisher 104, the network interface 105, and the user interface 106 shown in FIG.
Is also connected. User interface 106
Is an LCD display 3
03 and a keyboard (Keyboard) 304.

The CPU 301 executes a predetermined processing program (control program) so that the image processing apparatus 1
00 controls the entire operation. Various programs and data executed by the CPU 301 are stored in the storage medium 311. As the storage medium 311, for example, a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, or the like can be applied. Therefore, the CPU 301 executes the storage medium 311
From the memory (RA)
M) Read out to 302 and execute.

The storage medium 311 stores the image processing device 10
It may be configured so that it can be attached to or detached from the camera, or may be built-in. Further, the processing program executed by the CPU 101 may be downloaded from another device or system via the network 130 and stored in the storage medium 311.

For example, the CPU 301 supplies display data to the LCD display 303. As a result, a screen display is performed on the LCD display 303 based on the display data. Also, the CPU 301
Reads input data from the keyboard 304 (data based on an operation from the user) to recognize an instruction from the user.

The CPU 301 controls the network interface 105 so that the network
30 and communicate with the scanner engine 1
02, by controlling the laser beam printer engine 103 and the finisher 104, engine operations such as printing and scanning, and various status acquisitions are performed.

The scanner engine 102, the laser beam printer engine 103, and the finisher 10
4 are not inside the image processing apparatus 100 but exist as individual peripheral devices on the network 130,
This may be configured to be controlled by the controller 101 of the image processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 4 shows a software configuration of the controller 101 of the image processing apparatus 110 (x). 4 are stored in, for example, a storage medium 311.
The program is read from the CPU 301 and executed.

In FIG. 4, the solid line indicates the flow of data and control (Data & Control), and the dotted line indicates the setting and capability (Setting & Capability).
This shows the flow of acquisition.

A user interface (UI) driver 401 controls the LCD display 303 and the keyboard 304. The user interface manager (control program) 403 interprets input information from the user input from the UI driver 401, generates a command packet described later, and outputs the command packet to the interpreter (control program) 405.

A network interface driver (control program) 402 controls the network interface 105 and processes a physical layer (physical packet) of a network packet, that is, extracts a transport packet from a physical packet, and extracts a physical packet from a transport packet. Is generated. TCP / IP
The UDP / IP processing module 404 extracts a command packet from the transport packet output from the network interface driver 402 and outputs the command packet to the interpreter 405. Also, TCP /
The IP / UDP / IP processing module 404 generates a transport packet from the command packet output from the interpreter 405 and outputs the transport packet to the network interface driver 402.

The supervising manager (Superviso)
An r) 406 holds various data such as an attribute table shown in FIG. 5 described later and a service ID / task type correspondence table shown in FIG. 9 in the storage medium 311 and integrally manages the operation of the controller 101. In addition, the general manager 406
Various data held by itself, various data held by each manager (print job manager 409, scan job manager 408, and copy job manager 410), and various data held by each controller (printer controller 412 and scanner controller 411) Is referenced and changed according to the instruction of the input command.

The dispatcher 407 distributes command packets to a print job manager (control program) 409, a copy job manager (control program) 410, and a scanner job manager (control program) 408.

The scanner job manager 408 controls management of scanner resources and execution of a scanner job.
The scanner controller 411 operates in response to a request from the scanner
Operation control 2 is performed.

A print job manager 409 controls management of printer resources and execution of a print job.
A printer controller (LBP Controller (CID) used to execute this print job
= 21)) 412 and the laser beam printer engine 103 connected thereto are predetermined. That is, which printer controller (control program) is used is determined by an attribute ID 1001 shown in FIG. 10 described later. In this embodiment, it is assumed that one printer controller is determined for the sake of simplicity.

Further, the print manager 409 receives the input print job and information indicating what kind of job the job is being executed by the printer controller 412 (a job table shown in FIG. 11 described later and FIG. 12). The information of the job request table shown in FIG.
It is held at 1.

The printer controller 412 stores information (information of an attribute table shown in FIG. 15 described later) indicating the function, state, and performance of the corresponding printer engine (here, the laser beam printer engine 103) in the storage medium 311. ing. Further, the printer controller 412
Information representing the state of the input print job (information of a job queue table shown in FIG. 16 described later) is stored in the storage medium 31.
It is held at 1.

The copy job manager 410 manages copy resources and execution of copy jobs, and stores information of an attribute table shown in FIG. For the printer controller, scanner controller, print engine, and scanner engine used to execute a copy job,
It is predetermined. That is, regarding which printer controller and scanner controller to use,
It is determined by the attribute ID 4001 of the attribute table.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that one controller is determined for the sake of simplicity.

The copy job manager 410
Information indicating the input copy job and what kind of job the job is being executed by which printer controller or scanner controller (information of a job table shown in FIG. 11 and a job request table shown in FIG. 12 described later). Is stored in the storage medium 311.

<Retained Information of Image Processing Apparatus 110 (x)>
In the controller 101 of the image processing device 110 (x),
Various types of information as described below are stored.

FIG. 5 shows information (attribute table information) 500 that the general manager (control program) 406 holds and manages in the storage medium 311. The attribute table information 500 is information including a functional outline and connection information of the image processing apparatus 110 (x), security information, and the like. In FIG. 5, each row is one information unit (record)
Attribute table information 500 is configured as a set of a plurality of records.

In the attribute table information 500, information of each record includes an attribute ID 501, a type ID 502, and a value 503.
, And the image processing device 110
The attribute of (x) is represented.

The attribute ID 501 indicates the type of information, and indicates the meaning of what the value 503 indicates. Also, attribute ID 5
01 is a unique ID inside the device, and has the same attribute I
Those having D indicate the same information type.
The type ID 502 indicates the data type of the value 503, and is used when interpreting the value 503. The type ID is uniquely determined by the attribute ID, and is uniquely defined inside the device. The value 503 indicates an attribute value according to the attribute ID 501.

In this embodiment, the attribute table information 500
Is information including both the attribute ID 501 and the type ID 502, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information of a correspondence table between the attribute ID 501 and the type ID 502 is held as information different from the attribute table information 500. And attribute table information 5
00 may include only the attribute ID 501 and the value 503.

FIG. 6 shows the attribute table information 50 shown in FIG.
It shows the details of the contents of the attribute ID 501 and the type ID 502 included in 0.

FIG. 7 shows correspondence table information 700 between the subaddress and the service ID. Correspondence table information 700
Is the attribute ID 50 of the attribute table information 500 shown in FIG.
1 (sub address and SID correspondence table) is stored in the storage medium 311 as an attribute value. The correspondence table information 700 is
It indicates which service (for example, print service) can be obtained by inputting a command packet to which sub-address. Whether this service is active or not
This is indicated by a valid flag 704 or the like. Thus, the interpreter 405 controls whether to provide a job service such as printing for each connection mode (connection mode).

In FIG. 7, each row represents one information unit (record), and the correspondence table information 700 is configured as a set of a plurality of records.

In the correspondence table information 700, the information of each record includes a connection type ID 701, a sub address 702, a service ID 703, a valid flag 704, a valid user list 705, and an invalid user list 706.

The connection type ID 701 includes an identifier indicating the connection type. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the connection format ID 701 is set with identifier values “0” to “3” indicating the connection mode. “0” is Interna
l (user interface), and “1” is TCP
/ IP (network), and "2" and "3" indicate other IEEE1284.4 (IEEE1284) and SBP-2 (IEEE1394).

FIG. 9A shows the correspondence table information 900 between the service ID and the task type. The correspondence table information 900 indicates what kind of service the service ID provides, and the attribute ID 501 (SID: Task) of the attribute table information 500 shown in FIG.
It is stored in the storage medium 311 as the attribute value of the (Type table).

In FIG. 9A, each row represents one information unit (record), and the correspondence table information 900 is configured as a set of a plurality of records. In the correspondence table information 900, information of each record is a service ID.
901 and a task type 902.

As shown in FIG. 9B, values “0” to “3” indicating the type of service are set in the task type 902. “0” is Superv
The service performed by the isor (general management manager 406), “1” indicates a print service, “2” indicates a scan service, and “3” indicates a copy service.

The service ID 901 has a one-to-one correspondence with a service providing manager. For this reason, the service ID 901 is also used for accessing various information (various information described above and below) held by each manager. Since this information also holds the printer controller 412 and the scanner controller 411, the printer controller 412 and the scanner controller 411
A controller ID (D corresponding to the various controllers shown in FIG. 4) corresponding to the service ID 901 is assigned to the printer controller 412 and the scanner controller 411 so that the information held by the printer controller 412 and the scanner controller 411 can be accessed. What kind of controller the controller ID indicates is managed by the correspondence table information 900. Therefore, in FIG. 9A, the task type 902 = "201" in the figure indicates the printer controller 412, and the task type 902 = "201" in the figure.
“202” indicates the scanner controller 411.

FIG. 10A shows the attribute table information 1000 stored in the storage medium 311 by the print job manager (control program) 409. The attribute table information 1000 includes information indicating the performance and function of a print job that can be handled by the print job manager 409.

In FIG. 10A, each row represents one information unit (record), and the attribute table information 1000 is configured as a set of a plurality of records. In the attribute table information 1000, the information of each record is attribute I
D1001, type ID 1002, and value 1003. FIG. 10B shows what the values set in the attribute ID 1001 and the type ID 1002 of the attribute table information 1000 correspond to.

FIG. 11 shows the print job manager 40.
9 shows job table information 1100 held by
The job table information 1100 includes a file name (Job File Name) 1102 holding a job entity managed by the print job manager 409 and a job I.
D (Job ID) 1101.

The job table information 1100 corresponds to FIG.
Attribute ID 1003 of attribute table information 1000 shown in (a)
Is stored in a memory (RAM or the like) 302. Then, the print job manager 409 dynamically changes the job table information 1100 in the memory 302,
It is stored in the storage medium 311 as needed.

In FIG. 11, each row represents one information unit (record), and the job table information 1100 is configured as a set of a plurality of records. In the job table information 1100, the information of each record includes a job file name (Job FileName) 1102 and a job ID (Job ID) 1101.

The job ID 1101 includes an identifier for the job assigned by the print job manager 409 when the job is input to the print job manager 409. The job file name 1102 is the name of a file in which the job entity is held. The entity of the job here is configured by having a plurality of sets of attribute ID, attribute value size, and attribute value, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 shows the print job manager 40.
9 shows job request table information 1200 held by the print job manager 409. The job request table information 1200 includes information indicating a relationship between a job managed by the print job manager 409 and a job executed by the controller. .

The job request table information 1200 includes information indicating which job the job managed by the print job manager 409 is being executed by which controller, and the attribute table information 1000 shown in FIG.
As the attribute value of the attribute ID 1001 (job request table)
It is stored in the storage medium 311.

In FIG. 12, each row represents one information unit (record), and the job request table information 1200 is configured as a set of a plurality of records. In the job request table information 1200, information of each record includes a job ID 1201, a control ID 1202,
Job ID 1203 (job ID assigned in the controller).

A job ID 1201 is an identifier for a job assigned by the print job manager 409 when the job is input to the print job manager 409, and includes the job table information 1100 shown in FIG.
Corresponding to the job ID 1101. The controller ID 1202 indicates the ID of the controller on which the job is being executed. The job ID 1203 is an identifier of a job assigned by a controller that executes the job.

FIG. 13A shows attribute table information 1300 held by the scan job manager 408. The attribute table information 1300 shows the performance of a scan job that can be handled by the scan job manager 408 and the performance of the scan job. Contains information representing the function.

In FIG. 13A, each row represents one information unit (record), and attribute table information 1300 is configured as a set of a plurality of records. In the attribute table information 1300, information of each record is attribute I
D1301, type ID 1302, and value 1303. FIG. 13B shows what the values set in the attribute ID 1301 and the type ID 1302 of the attribute table information 1300 correspond to.

FIG. 14A shows attribute table information 1400 held by the copy job manager 410. The attribute table information 1400 shows the performance of a scan job that can be handled by the copy job manager 410, and Contains information representing the function.

In FIG. 14A, each row represents one information unit (record), and attribute table information 1400 is configured as a set of a plurality of records. In the attribute table information 1400, information of each record is attribute I
D1401, type ID 1402, and value 1403. FIG. 14B shows what the values set in the attribute ID 1401 and the type ID 1402 of the attribute table information 1400 correspond to.

FIG. 15A shows the printer controller 4.
Reference numeral 12 denotes attribute table information 1500 stored in the storage medium 311. The attribute table information 1500 includes information indicating the performance and function of the laser beam print engine 103 and the finisher 104 controlled by the printer controller 412. Contains. The attribute table information 15
The information on the performance and the function at 00 is not rewritten.

In FIG. 15A, each row represents one information unit (record), and attribute table information 1500 is configured as a set of a plurality of records. In the attribute table information 1500, the information of each record is attribute I
D1501, type ID 1502, and value 1503. FIG. 15B shows what the values set in the attribute ID 1501 and the type ID 1502 of the attribute table information 1500 correspond to.

FIG. 16A shows the printer controller 4.
12 shows the job queue table information 1600 held by the job ID table 12, and the job queue table information 1600 is the attribute ID 15 of the attribute table information 1500 shown in FIG.
01 (job queue table) is stored in the storage medium 311.

The job queue table information 1600 includes information indicating the status of a job managed and executed by the printer controller 412. Figure 1 above
In FIG. 6A, each line represents one information unit (record), and the job queue table information 1600 is configured as a set of a plurality of records. In the job queue table information 1600, information of each record is a job ID.
1601, job status 1602, and file name 1603 (file name in which the actual job is held)
Contains.

The job ID 1601 is an identifier for the job assigned by the printer controller 412 when the job is input to the printer controller 412. In the job status 1602, values “1” to “3” as shown in FIG. 16B are set. “1” indicates that the job is being completed, “2” indicates that the job is being executed by the engine, and “3” indicates that the job is waiting for execution. The job file name 1603 is the name of a file in which the job is held. The entity of the job includes an attribute ID,
It is configured by having a plurality of sets of attribute value sizes and attribute values.

FIG. 17A shows the scanner controller 4.
Reference numeral 11 denotes attribute table information 1700 stored in the storage medium 311. The attribute table information 1700 includes information indicating the performance and function of the scanner engine 102 controlled by the scanner controller 411. still,
The information on the performance and the function in the attribute table information 1700 cannot be rewritten.

In FIG. 17A, each row represents one information unit (record), and attribute table information 1700 is configured as a set of a plurality of records. In the attribute table information 1700, information of each record is attribute I
D1701, type ID 1702, and value 1703. FIG. 17B shows what the values set in the attribute ID 1701 and the type ID 1702 of the attribute table information 1700 correspond to.

<Structure and Processing of Command Packet in Image Processing Apparatus 110 (x)> FIG. 18 shows a user interface manager 403 and TCP / IP / UDP / I
From the P processing module 404, the interprinter 40
5 shows the structure of a command packet 1800 output for the packet No. 5. Note that the structure of the command packet 1800 shown in FIG.
User interface manager 403 and TCP /
It is also applied as a structure of a reply packet and an event packet output to the IP / UDP / IP processing module 404.

The command packet 1800 corresponds to FIG.
, A packet header 1801 indicating the head of the packet 1800, a packet version 1802 indicating the structural version of the packet 1800, and a packet 1
A flag 1803 indicating the nature of the 800, an operation code 1804 indicating what kind of operation is to be performed, a block number 1805 used by the user terminal device 120 to recognize the return packet, and parameters to be described later. Parameter length 1 representing the length of 1810
806 and user ID 180 used for user authentication
7, a password 1808, a status code 1809 used only for the reply packet and indicating a general state of the reply packet, and a parameter 1810 having a format determined for each operation code 1804.
And

The parameter 1810 includes an access target service ID, an access target attribute ID, and the like. Flag 18
03, a flag 1811 indicating whether the packet 1800 is a command packet, an event packet, or a return packet, and a parameter 181
A continuation flag 1812 indicating that data to be transmitted does not fit for 0 indicates that subsequent data is set for the next packet to be transmitted.

FIG. 19 shows the processing of a command packet 1800 in the image processing apparatus 110 (x). For example, in the image processing apparatus 110 (x), the CP
The U301 controls the operation of the image processing apparatus 110 (x) as described below by executing a processing program according to the flowchart in FIG.

Step S1901: Interpreter 4
05, general manager 406, dispatcher 4
07 and a scan job manager 408 (transport processing module) include a user interface driver 401, a network interface driver 402, a user interface manager 403,
And TCP / IP / UDP / IP processing module 404
, And extracts a command packet 1800 as shown in FIG. The extracted command packet 1800 includes TCP / IP information together with the connection type information (connection type ID) and the sub-address of the input data.
Input is made to the interpreter 405 from the IP / UDP / IP processing module 406, dispatcher 407, and scan job manager 408.

Step S1902: Interpreter 40
Reference numeral 5 refers to the correspondence table information 700 (see FIG. 7) of the sub-address and the service ID (SID) held by the general manager 406, and compares the input connection type ID and the sub-address with each other. Service I
D is acquired from the correspondence table information 700, and it is checked whether data input is valid. As a result of this check, if the data input is valid, the process proceeds to step S1903, which will be described later. If the data input is not valid, the process proceeds to the next step S1904.

Step S1904: Step S1902
If the result of the check indicates that the data input is not valid, the command packet 1800 is discarded, and the process ends.

Step S1904: Step S1902
As a result of the check, if the data input is valid, the interpreter 405 executes the analysis of the command packet 1800 based on the packet structure shown in FIG.
Each item shown in the figure is obtained as independent and independent information.

Step S1905: Interpreter 40
5 obtains a security level based on the service ID obtained in step S1902.

Step S1906: An authentication process shown in FIG. 29 described below is performed.

Step S1912: Dispatcher 40
7 determines the manager of the distribution destination based on the service ID obtained in step S1902, and provides the determined manager with the connection type ID, the sub address, the source address, Operation code, block number, flag information, user I
Distribute D, password, parameter length, and parameters.

Step S1913: Dispatcher 40
The manager to whom information has been distributed from 7 processes the distribution information. After that, the process ends.

<Job Structure and Processing in Image Processing Apparatus 110 (x)> FIG. 20 shows the inside of a file (job file) 2000 for holding the actual job managed by each manager shown in FIG. It shows the structure. Note that the structure of the job file 2000 shown in FIG. 20 is also applied to the structure of a file for holding the entity of the job managed by each controller shown in FIG.

The file name of the job file 2000 is
The file name 1102 of the job table information 1100 shown in FIG. 11 and the file name 1603 of the job queue table information 1600 shown in FIG.

The job held in the job file 2000 has the attribute ID 2001 as shown in FIG.
And attribute value size 2002 and attribute value 200
A plurality of groups of 3 are continuously included. When the job includes data, “2007”, “200” in FIG.
As shown by “8” and “2009”, a value representing data (see “2007”) as an attribute ID, a file name size (see “2008”) as an attribute value size, and document data as an attribute value are held. File name (refer to “2009”) is held.

Attributes include information such as a data transmission method, a data format (eg, used PDL), an event type, a destination to which an event notification is transmitted when the event occurs, and a job type. In the case of a print job, the number of copies, finishing process designation, and the like are included.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show the job script processing in each manager. The job script is the command packet 1 shown in FIG.
800, a series of "JobStar
t "operation code and" JobEnd "
It is defined as ending with an operation code. Each packet constituting the job script has the sub-address and service ID correspondence table information 9 shown in FIG.
19, and is distributed to each manager by the processing of the command packet 1800 shown in FIG.

Therefore, for example, the image processing device 110
In FIG. 21 (x), the CPU 301
By executing the processing program according to the flowchart of FIG. 2, the command packet 1800 distributed to each manager as described below is processed, and
The operation control for creating the job file 2000 (and the data file) shown in FIG.

The processing described below is executed by each of the managers shown in FIG. 4, but for simplicity of description, any of the managers (objects) shown in FIG. Manager).

Step S2101: See FIG. 21 above The target manager determines whether or not the distributed operation code is a supported operation code. For this determination, the attribute ID included in the above-described information held by the target manager is used. That is, the comparison is made with the value set in the item having the attribute ID “101” (supported operation). If the result of this determination is that the operation code is not a supported operation code, the flow proceeds to the next step S2116, and if it is a supported operation code, the flow proceeds to step S2102 described later.

Step S2116: Step S2101
If it is determined that the operation code is not a supported operation code, the target manager creates an error reply packet and returns it. After that, the process ends.

Step S2102: Step S2101
If the result of the determination is that the operation code is supported, the target manager determines whether or not the job is currently being submitted. This determination is made by checking whether or not a job input flag (a flag set in step 2106 described later) is true. As a result of this determination, if the job input flag is false and the job is not being input, the process proceeds to the next step S2104. If the job input flag is true, the process proceeds to step S21 described later.
Go to 03.

Step S2104: Step S2102
As a result of the determination, if the job input flag is false and the job is not being input, the target manager determines whether the operation code is “Job Start”. As a result of this determination, the operation code is "Job
If not “Start”, the above-described step S2
Proceeding to step 116, an error reply packet is created and reply processing is executed. On the other hand, if the operation code is "Job
If “Start”, the process proceeds to the next step S2105.

Step S2105: Step S2104
As a result of the determination, the operation code is "Job St
In the case of “art”, the target manager assigns a job ID and assigns it to the job table information 1 shown in FIG.
100, and a new job file with the job ID is newly created. Step S2106: The target manager sets the job submission flag to true. After that, the process ends.

Step S2103: Step S described above
If the result of the determination in 2102 indicates that the job submission flag is true, the target manager determines that the operation code is “S
The “Send” code is a code for notifying the target manager that the parameter includes data constituting the job. As a result of this determination, the operation code Is "Se
nd ", the process proceeds to the next step S2107,
If the operation code is not “Send”, the process proceeds to step S2114 described later.

Step S2107: Step S2103
As a result of the determination, if the operation code is “Send”, the target manager determines that the input command packet 1
By referring to the continuation flag included in 800 (see FIG. 18 above), it is determined whether there is a packet to be continued. As a result of this determination, when there is a packet to be continued (when the continuation flag is true), the process proceeds to the next step S2108, and when there is no packet to be continued (when the continuation flag is false), the process proceeds to step S2110 described later. .

Step S2108: Step S2107
As a result of the determination, when there is a packet to be continued (when the continuation flag is true), the target manager
An existing data file 2013 indicated by the file name set to 000 (see FIG. 20 above)
To add a new area. Step S2109: The target manager determines in step S2
The data is written in the new area added in 109. After that, the process ends.

Steps S2110 to 2113: If the result of determination in step S2107 is that there is no packet to continue (if the continuation flag is false), the target manager creates a new data file 2013 (step S211).
0), the data is written to the data file 2013 (step S2111), a necessary area is added to the job file 2000 (step S2112), and the attribute ID 200 representing the data file 2023 is assigned to the area.
7. The file name size 2008 and the file name 2009 of the newly created data file 2013 are set (step S2113). After that, the process ends.

Step S2114: Step S2103
If the operation code is not “Send” as a result of the determination, the target manager determines whether the operation code is “Job End”. If the result of this determination is that the operation code is "Job End", the flow proceeds to the next step S2115, and if the operation code is not "Job End", the flow proceeds to step S2117 (FIG. 22) described later.

Step S2115: Step S2114
As a result of the determination, the operation code is "Job En
If d ", the target manager executes the job generation end process. Thereafter, the process ends.

Note that the job generation end process in step S2115 includes, for example, a process such as closing the job file 2000, which is different depending on the type of the target manager (print job, scan job, copy job). I have.

Step S2117: See FIG. 22 If the result of determination in step S2114 is that the operation code is not “Job End”, the target manager determines whether the operation code is “Set Job”. This "Set Job" code is
This is for notifying the target manager that the parameters (attribute ID and attribute value) constituting the job are included in the parameters. If the result of this determination is that the operation code is "Set Job", the next step S
Proceed to 2118, and the operation code is “Set J
If not “ob”, the process proceeds to step S2120 described below.

Step S2118, step S211
9: If the result of determination in step S2117 is that the operation code is “Set Job”, the target manager adds an area to the job file 2000 (step S2118), and assigns an attribute ID, attribute value size, And the attribute value. After that, the process ends.

Step S2120: Step S2117
As a result of the determination, the operation code is “Set Jo
If not, the target manager determines whether or not the operation code is “Send Request.” The “Send Request” code is:
This is for notifying the target manager of data transmission, and includes information indicating a data transmission method as a parameter. If the result of this determination is that the operation code is "Send Request", the flow proceeds to the next step S2121, and if the operation code is not "Send Request", the flow proceeds to step S2122 described later.

Step S2121: Step S2120
As a result of the determination, the operation code is “Send R
request ”, the target manager executes a process depending on the target manager. For example, the target manager performs a process depending on the scan job manager 408.
In the case of, a process of instructing the scanner controller 411 to scan a document in accordance with the attribute values held in the job file 2000 and transmitting scan data obtained by the designated method is included. . After that, the process ends.

Step S2122: Step S2120
As a result of the determination, the operation code is “Send R
If the request manager is not “equest”, the target manager executes other relevant processing. Thereafter, the processing ends.

FIG. 23 shows the job processing in the print job manager 409 shown in FIG. The print job manager 409 executes the processing shown in FIG.
The task (monitoring task) that constantly monitors the job table information 1100 shown in FIG. This monitoring task
In the processing of the job script shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, when it is detected that a new item has been added to the job table information 1100 by inputting the “Job Start” operation code, it is shown in FIG. Activate the task that performs the process. By the operation of the task, processing as described below is executed.

Step S2301: First, an image (PDL) used to represent data (document data)
And Bitmap) are added to the job file 2000, and when the type of the image is determined by this addition, the waiting state is reached until the image to be used can be developed. Becomes

Step S2302: Step S2301
Waits for an attribute indicating a data receiving method to be added to the job file 2000.

Step S2303: Step S2302
Attribute indicating the data receiving method in the job file 2
000, the data receiving method is determined.

Step S2304, Step S230
5: As a result of the determination in step S2304, when the data receiving method is a method of accessing the outside of the image processing apparatus 110 (x) (for example, the user's terminal device 120 on the network 130), the designated data receiving method is specified. By generating a task for reading data, the external access is executed (step S2304). Then, wait for the data reading to start (data reading preparation OK
Waiting), when the data reading preparation is OK, the process proceeds to step S2307 described later.

Step S2306: Step S2304
As a result of the determination, if the data receiving method is a method of acquiring data included in the job (in the case of receiving data by the “Send” operation code in the processing shown in FIGS. 21 and 22), When the data reception is started, the process proceeds to the next step S2307.

Step S2307: Step S2305
Alternatively, in step S2306, when data reading or data reception is started, image expansion processing of the data is started.

Steps S2308 and S230
9: Image data is acquired by starting the image development processing in step S2307 (step S2308), and a printer controller to be used is determined (step S23).
09).

Step S2310: Step S2309
Step S for the printer controller determined in
The image data acquired in step 2308 is input, and a job ID is received from the printer controller.

Step S2311: ID of this job, job ID received from printer controller in step S2310, and ID of printer controller
To the job request table information 1200 shown in FIG.
Set to an individual record for each printer controller.

Steps S2312 and S231
3: Waiting for notification of the job end from the printer controller to which the image data has been input in step S2310 (step S2312). When the job end is notified, the record corresponding to the notified printer controller is stored in FIG. Job request table information 1 shown in 12
200 (step S2313).

Step S2314: It is determined whether or not all the records set in step S2311 have been deleted from the job request table information 1200 shown in FIG. 12, ie, whether or not all the jobs requested to the printer controller have been completed. I do. As a result of this determination, the process proceeds to the next step S2315 only when all jobs have been completed, and when all jobs have not yet been completed, step S2312 is performed again.
Repeat the process from.

Step S2315: When all the jobs requested to the printer controller are completed, the record corresponding to this job is deleted from the job table information 1100 (FIG. 11) shown in FIG. At this time, an event transmission process shown in FIG.

Steps S2316 and S231
7: The information set in the job file 2000 is inspected (step S2316), and it is determined whether or not an attribute value instructing the transmission of an event regarding the job end is set (step S2317). As a result of this determination, if the attribute value instructing the event transmission related to the job end has not been set, the process ends.

Step S2318: Step S2317
As a result of the determination, if an attribute value instructing the event transmission related to the end of the job is set, the attribute value is read to acquire information on the event transmission method and the transmission destination.

Step S2319: Step S2318
A transmission packet of the event is created based on the information acquired in step (1), and the transmission packet is transmitted to a corresponding transmission destination by a corresponding transmission method.

Step S2320: Job file 20
00, and end processing such as deletion of the data file 2013. After that, the process ends.

FIG. 24 shows job processing in the scan job manager 408 shown in FIG. The scan job manager 408 starts processing the job after the job submission is completed. For this reason, the scan job manager 408 is
1 and the processing shown in FIG.
As the end processing of the job No. 5, the job processing shown in FIG. 24 is started.

Step S2401: A job is input to the scanner controller 411, and a job ID is received from the scanner controller 411.

Step S2402: The ID of this job and the job request table information 1200 shown in FIG.
The ID of the scanner controller 411 requesting the job in step S2401, and the scanner controller 411
The job ID received from is set.

Steps S2403 and S240
4: Wait for notification of the job end from the scanner controller 411 (step S2403). When the notification is made from the scanner controller 411, the image data obtained by the scanner controller 411 is received from the scanner controller 411, and FIG. The record corresponding to this job is deleted from the job table information 1100 shown in (2) (step S2404). At this time, an event transmission process shown in FIG.

Steps S2405 and S240
6: The information (attribute) instructing the data transmission method is searched from the information set in the job file 2000 (step S2405), and the data transmission method is determined based on the search information (step S2406).

Step S2407: Step S2406
As a result of the determination, if the data transmission method is a method of transmitting data as a reference, the data is stored in the apparatus, and reference information for the data is transmitted as a script together with other attribute information. Then, step S24 described later.
Proceed to 10.

Step S2408: Step S2406
As a result of the determination, if the data transmission method is a method of transmitting data as a script, the data is transmitted as a script together with other attribute information. The details of the data transmission process are shown in FIG. 28 described later. After that, it advances to the next step S2410.

Steps S2410 and S241
1: The information set in the job file 2000 is inspected (step S2410), and it is determined whether or not an attribute value instructing the transmission of an event regarding the end of the job is set (step S2411). If the result of this determination is that the attribute value has not been set, this process ends.

Step S2412: Step S2411
As a result of the determination, if an attribute value instructing the event transmission related to the job end is set, the attribute value is read out to acquire information on the event transmission method and the transmission destination.

Step S2413: Step S2412
A transmission packet of the event is created based on the information acquired in step (1), and the transmission packet is transmitted to a corresponding transmission destination by a corresponding transmission method.

Step S2414: Job file 20
00, and end processing such as deletion of the data file 2013. After that, the process ends.

FIG. 25 shows a copy job manager 410.
9 shows the processing of the job. After the job submission is completed, the copy job manager 410
Start processing the job. Therefore, the job manager 410 starts the job processing in FIG. 25 as the job end processing in step S2115 shown in FIG.

Step S2501: A job is input to the scanner controller 411, and a job ID is received from the scanner controller 411.

Step S2502: The job request table information 1200 shown in FIG.
The ID of the scanner controller 411 and the job ID received from the scanner controller 411 are set.

Step S2503, step S250
4: Wait for notification of the job end from the scanner controller 411 (step S2503). When the job end is notified from the scanner controller 411, the image data obtained by the scanner controller 411 is received from the scanner controller 411, The record corresponding to this job is deleted from the job table information 1100 shown in FIG. 11 (step S2504).

Step S2505: The printer controller to be used is determined.

Step S2506: Step S2505
Step S for the printer controller determined in
The image data acquired in step 2503 is input, and a job ID is received from the printer controller.

Step S2507: ID of this job, job ID received from printer controller in step S2506, and printer controller ID
To the job request table information 1200 shown in FIG.
Set to an individual record for each printer controller.

Step S2508, step S250
9: Waiting for notification of the job end from the printer controller to which the image data was input in step S2506 (step S2508). When the job end is notified, the record corresponding to the notified printer controller is stored in FIG. Job request table information 1 shown in 12
200 (step S2509).

Step S2510: It is determined whether or not all the records set in step S2507 have been deleted from the job request table information 1200 shown in FIG. 12, ie, whether or not all the jobs requested to the printer controller have been completed. I do. As a result of this determination, the process proceeds to the next step S2511 only when all jobs have been completed, and when all jobs have not been completed yet, the process returns to step S2508.
Repeat the process from.

Step S2511: When all the jobs requested to the printer controller are completed, the record corresponding to this job is deleted from the job table information 1100 (FIG. 11) shown in FIG. At this time, an event transmission process shown in FIG.

Steps S2512 and S251
3: The information set in the job file 2000 is inspected (step S2512), and it is determined whether or not an attribute value instructing the transmission of an event regarding the end of the job is set (step S2513). As a result of this determination, if the attribute value instructing the event transmission related to the job end has not been set, the process ends.

Step S2514: Step S2513
As a result of the determination, if an attribute value instructing the event transmission related to the end of the job is set, the attribute value is read to acquire information on the event transmission method and the transmission destination.

Step S2515: Step S2514
A transmission packet of the event is created based on the information acquired in step (1), and the transmission packet is transmitted to a corresponding transmission destination by a corresponding transmission method.

Step S2516: job file 20
00, and end processing such as deletion of the data file 2013. After that, the process ends.

<Event Processing in Image Processing Apparatus 110 (x)> FIG. 26A shows the event setting table information 2600 held by the supervisor 406 shown in FIG. This event setting table information 2600
Is additional data transmitted to the storage medium 311 as an event notification for an event ID uniquely defined in the apparatus as the value 503 (event format table) of the attribute table information 500 shown in FIG. In the form

In FIG. 26A, each row represents one information unit (record), and the event setting table information 2600 is configured as a set of a plurality of records.
In the event setting table information 2600, each record is
An event ID 2601, a connection type ID 2602, and a notification destination address 2603 are included.

The information in the event table format shown in FIG. 26B includes an event ID 2604 and an event format 2605. The event format 2605 indicates the format of additional data transmitted as an event notification, and is represented as a list of attribute IDs. The attribute ID is uniquely defined in the device, and its type is also uniquely determined by the attribute ID. Therefore, by specifying the attribute ID, the format of the additional data can be represented. .
For example, the attribute ID 67 of the event format 2605
6 indicates a paper size, ID 756 indicates a paper type, and I
D666 indicates the type of toner, ID698 indicates the type of ink, and ID600 indicates the position of the cover.

The event transmission method and the destination are described in FIG.
Is set in the data (attribute table information and the like as described above) held by each manager and controller as shown in (1), and it is possible to notify an event that has occurred in each manager and controller. When the specified event occurs, the contents defined in the event format are notified together with data predetermined for each event ID.

FIG. 27 shows an event transmission process in each manager. Each manager stores the event setting table information 2600 as shown in FIG.
It is held as attribute table information held by each user. As described above, the event setting table information 2600 includes the connection format (connection format ID 2602) and destination (notification destination address 2603) for transmitting the event when the event occurs.
Contains information about

The processing described below is executed by each of the managers shown in FIG. 4. However, for simplicity of description, any of the managers (objects) shown in FIG. Manager).

Step S2701, Step S270
2: When a certain event occurs, the target manager recognizes the event ID for the event, and then refers to the event setting table information 2600 shown in FIG. 26A (step S2701), and the event ID is registered. It is determined whether or not there is (Step S2702). As a result of this determination, if no event ID has been registered, the process ends.

Steps S2703 to S270
7: As a result of the determination in step S2702, if even one event ID is registered in the event setting table information 2600, the processing of steps S2704 to S2706 described below is repeated for each registered event ID. Execute. When the processing of steps S2704 to S2706 is completed for all the registered event IDs, this processing ends.

First, the connection type (connection type ID 2602) used when transmitting an event and the destination (notification destination address 2603) to which the event is transmitted are obtained from the first record of the event setting table information 2600 (step In step S2704, an event transmission packet is created from the obtained information (step S2705). The event transmission packet includes a parameter defined for each event ID and a parameter according to the format for each event ID registered in the event format table (FIG. 26B) held by the supervisor 406. Is added. Then, the event transmission packet created in step S2705 is transmitted to the transmission destination of the connection format acquired in step S2704 (step S2).
706).

<Information Access in Image Processing Apparatus 110 (x)> FIG. 28 shows information reading (attribute table reading) and writing with respect to the attribute table information held by each manager and each controller shown in FIG. (Attribute table writing) processing.

This processing is performed by transmitting an appropriate command packet to the subaddress of the supervisor 406. The command packet for the attribute table reading process includes an access target service ID and an access target attribute table ID as parameters.
The command packet for the attribute table writing process includes, as parameters, an access target service ID, an access target attribute table ID, and an attribute value corresponding to the attribute table ID.

The packet data sent from the user terminal device 120 to the image processing device 110 (x) is processed by the packet processing shown in FIG. 19 and distributed to the supervisor 406.

Step S2801: The supervisor 406 determines whether or not the operation code 1804 of the distributed packet data (see FIG. 18) is an attribute table reading code ("Get"). If the result of this determination is that the code is an attribute table readout code ("Get"), the flow advances to the next step S2802; otherwise, the flow advances to step S2808 described later.

Step S2802: Step S2801
If the result of the determination is that the attribute table readout code (“Get”) is found, the supervisor 406 acquires the entire attribute table information to be accessed based on the service ID included in the distributed packet data. For example, when the service ID is “0”, the attribute table information 500 of the general management manager 406 shown in FIG.
When D is “1”, the attribute table information 1000 of the print job manager 409 shown in FIG. 10 is acquired. When the service ID is “10”, the attribute table information of the scan job manager 408 shown in FIG. If the service ID is “11” and the service ID is “11”, the attribute table information 1 of the copy job manager 410 shown in FIG.
When the service ID is “21”, the attribute table information 1500 of the printer controller 412 shown in FIG. 15 is obtained.

Step S2803: The supervisor 406 determines whether the attribute table information obtained in step S2802 is readable. This determination is made by the “attribute ID list that can be obtained only by the administrator” (attribute ID = 10) included in the attribute table information 500 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) held by the supervisor 406.
This is performed by acquiring the value of 5) and checking whether or not the value includes the designated attribute ID. If the attribute ID is included, it is recognized that reading is impossible, and the process advances to the next step S2805. On the other hand, if the attribute ID is not included, it is recognized that reading is possible, and step S280 described later
Proceed to 4.

Step S2805: Step S2803
As a result of the determination, if the data cannot be read, the supervisor 406 creates an error reply packet and returns it. After that, the process ends.

Step S2804: Step S2803
As a result of the determination, if the data can be read, the supervisor 406 searches the attribute table information corresponding to the specified attribute ID, and acquires the attribute type ID and the attribute value having the corresponding attribute ID.

Steps S2806 and S280
7: The supervising manager 406 determines in step S2804
By executing the processing of the attribute value in accordance with the attribute type ID acquired in step (2), a reply packet is generated (step S280).
6), this reply packet is sent back (step S280)
7). After that, the process ends.

Step S2808: Step S2801
If the result of the determination is that the code is not an attribute table reading code (“Get”), the supervisor 406 sets the operation code 1804 of the distributed packet data (see FIG. 18 above) to the attribute table writing code (“Set”). ") Is determined. If the result of this determination is that the code is an attribute table write code ("Set"), the next step S280
9; otherwise, step S28 described later.
Proceed to 15.

Step S2809: Step S2808
If the result of the determination is that the code is an attribute table writing code (“Set”), the supervising manager 406 performs access based on the service ID included in the distributed packet data in the same manner as in step S2802 described above. Get the entire target attribute table information.

Step S2810: The supervising manager 406 determines whether or not the attribute table information acquired in step S2809 is writable. This determination is based on the “attribute ID list that can be set (changed) only by the administrator” (attribute ID) included in the attribute table information 500 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) held by the supervisor 406.
= 104), and the attribute ID specified in the value
Is performed by checking whether or not is included. If the attribute ID is included, it is recognized that writing is impossible, and the process proceeds to the next step S2814. On the other hand, if the attribute ID is not included, it is recognized that writing is possible, and step S
Proceed to 2811.

Step S2814: Step S2810
If the result of the determination is that writing is not possible, the supervisor 406 creates an error reply packet and returns it. After that, the process ends.

Step S2811: Step S2810
As a result of the determination, if the writing is possible, the supervisor 406 searches the attribute table information corresponding to the specified attribute ID, and acquires the attribute type ID and the attribute value having the corresponding attribute ID.

Steps S2812 and S281
3: The supervising manager 406 determines in step S2811
The specified attribute value is set based on the attribute type ID acquired in step (a), a reply packet notifying that the setting is successful is generated (step S2812), and this reply packet is returned (step S2813). After that, the process ends.

Step S2815: Step S2808
If the result of the determination is that the code is not an attribute table writing code (“Set”), the supervisor 406 executes other processing according to the operation code. After that, the process ends.

<User Authentication Processing in Image Processing Apparatus 110 (x)> FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the processing in step S23 shown in FIG.
FIG. 29 shows an authentication process (user authentication) including a user ID check and the like, which is executed in step S095 and step S2505 shown in FIG.

Step S2901: interpreter 405
Determines whether to perform user authentication with a mail address based on the security level acquired in step S1905. As a result of this determination, the process proceeds to the next step S902 if the user is authenticated using the mail address, and to step S29 described later if the user is authenticated using a device other than the mail address.
Go to 05.

Steps S2902 and S290
3: As a result of the determination in step S2901, if the user is authenticated with the mail address, it is checked whether or not the user is registered in the mail server using the user ID and the password included in the command packet 1800.
(Step S2903). Although the details of the user authentication method here will be described later, it communicates with a mail server (not shown) on the network 130 based on the information such as the input mail address and the like, and sends POP3 (Post Of).
A user authentication method using a file protocol version 3) protocol or the like is applicable.
Regarding the POP3 protocol and the method of communication with the mail server, RFC (Request For Comment)
The details are omitted here since they are known in t).
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2904 described below.

Step S2905: Step S2901
As a result of the determination, when user authentication is performed using a device other than the mail address, it is determined whether the user authentication is performed using a password. If the result of this determination is that the user is authenticated with a password, the process proceeds to the next step S2906, and if the user is authenticated with a password other than the password, the process proceeds to step S2908 described below.

Steps S2906 and S290
7: As a result of the determination in step S2905, when the user is authenticated using the personal identification number, it is checked whether the user ID and the password included in the command packet 1800 exist in the correspondence table information 700 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2904 described below.

Step S2908: Step S2905
As a result of the determination, when user authentication is performed using a code other than the password, user authentication is performed by another method. Thereafter, the flow advances to the next Step S2904.

Step S2904: Step S290
3, or step S2907, or step S2908
After the user authentication is performed, it is determined whether or not the result is normal. If the result of this determination is that the user authentication is normal, the process is terminated normally, otherwise the process is terminated in error. In case of error termination, then
The security level error processing is executed.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing step S shown in FIG.
The details of the processing in 2903 (user authentication processing using a mail address) are shown.

Step S3001: On the mail server,
A POP3 USER command is issued to check whether or not the mail user acquired in step S2902 (here, described as user ID “abc”) exists. Specifically, a POP3 command represented by “USER abc” or the like is transmitted to the mail server on the network 130.

Step S3002: Mail server is US
When the ER command is received, the notified user ID is the part before the "@" of the mail address (in this embodiment, HYP
ERLINK "mailto: abc@xxx.xxx.co.jp" abc@xxx.xxx.co.j
It is determined whether or not the mail user of “abc part of p” is registered. If the mail user is registered, “+ OK” is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 110 (X) that transmitted the USER command. The image processing device 110 (X) performs step S3
It is determined whether or not the response from the mail server to the command 001 is “+ OK”. "+ O
The response "K" indicates that there is a mail user with the user ID "abc".
If a response other than "K" is returned, the process ends as user authentication NG, and if a response "+ OK" is returned, the process proceeds to the next step S3003.

Step S3003: Command packet 1
It is determined whether an 800 password is included. If the result of this determination is that the password is not included,
This processing ends as the user authentication is completed. On the other hand, if the password is included, the next step S3
Proceed to 004.

Step S3004: Step S3003
If it is determined that the password is included, a PASS command is issued to check whether the password is correct. Specifically, a POP3 command represented by “PASS ****” or the like is transmitted to the mail server on the network 130.

Step S3005: Mail server is PA
When the SS command is received, the received password becomes US
It is determined whether the password is the same as the password of the user ID received by the ER command. If the password is the same, "+ O" is sent to the image processing apparatus 110 (X) that transmitted the PASS command.
The image processing apparatus 110 (X) determines whether or not the response from the mail server to the command issuance in step S3004 is “+ OK”.
A response of “+ OK” indicates that the password is correct. As a result of this determination, if a response other than “+ OK” is returned, the process ends as user authentication NG. On the other hand, if the response of “+ OK” is returned, the process ends as user authentication OK.

<Warning Notification Processing in Image Processing Apparatus 110 (x)> FIG. 31 shows processing in which each manager shown in FIG. 4 notifies a warning and a failure. still,
The processing described below is executed by each of the managers shown in FIG. 4, but here, for simplicity of description, FIG.
Attention is paid to an arbitrary manager (target manager) among the managers shown in FIG.

Step S3101: The target manager
It is determined whether the user authentication method is a method using a mail address. As a result of this determination, only when the method uses the mail address, the next step S310
The process proceeds to step 2; otherwise, the process ends.

Step S3102: Step S3101
As a result of the determination, if the user authentication is performed using the mail address, the target manager determines whether there is a failure such as a failure in the apparatus or a shortage of paper. As a result of this determination, if there is a failure, the process proceeds to the next step S3103, and if there is no failure, the process directly proceeds to step S3104 described below.

Step S3103: Step S3102
As a result of the determination, when there is a failure in the apparatus, the target manager notifies the mail address of the user of the user ID of the authenticated user by mail that the failure has occurred. As for the format of the e-mail notification, for example, there is a notification unit using a mail text or a unit using a mail title. However, RFC822 (Request For
Comment 822) and the like are publicly known.
Here, the details are omitted.

Step S3104: The target manager
The counter information such as the number of used sheets is acquired from the attribute table information 500 shown in FIG.

Step S3105: The target manager
On the basis of the counter information acquired in step S3104, the maximum value of sheets and the like that can be used by the authenticated user is acquired, and whether the current number of consumed sheets has exceeded the maximum value or is approaching the maximum value It is determined whether or not. As a result of this determination, the current consumption number exceeds the maximum value,
Alternatively, if it is approaching the maximum value, the process proceeds to the next step S3106, otherwise, the process ends.

Step S3106: Step S3105
As a result of the determination, the current consumption number exceeds the maximum value,
Alternatively, when approaching the maximum value, the target manager warns the user of the authenticated e-mail address by e-mail. After that, the process ends.

An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the host and the terminal of this embodiment to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or a computer) of the system or the apparatus. C
Needless to say, this can also be achieved by a PU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the present embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, a ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used. The functions of the present embodiment are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS or the like running on the computer performs the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the above is performed and the function of the present embodiment is realized by the processing. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extended function board inserted into the computer or an extended function unit connected to the computer,
Based on the instructions of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the present embodiment. Needless to say.

[0206]

As described above, according to the present invention, an information processing apparatus (connected to a network and capable of restricting the upper limit of the number of copies and the number of prints, the count and the like for each user) is available from the user side via the network. Management of multiple devices including its own device and other devices on the network (information for identifying multiple devices on the network, scan speed, print speed, etc.) Management of performance information such as the number of waiting jobs, etc.), and management (management of user upper limit, user authentication method, security level, etc.) for users who can use their own devices. Based on the management information, authentication of the user using the own device (e-mail on the network) is performed by e-mail via the network. POP using the server: Po
(st Office Protocol authentication). As a result, unified user authentication on a network called e-mail can be performed.

When the user authentication is performed only by the e-mail address or the user authentication is performed based on the user name and the password, the user authentication can be simplified and the user authentication with high security can be provided.

Also, the user who has authenticated the user (or the administrator of the own device) is notified of the result of use of the own device, the use status, the occurrence of a failure in the own device, If the system is configured to notify by e-mail whether the current usage has reached or approached the limit value (upper limit value) of available resources, the user can timely grasp the usage status of the device. Since it is possible to perform the operation, it is possible to eliminate the interruption of the operation due to the upper limit value being exceeded during the operation or the like, and it is possible to perform the processing with high operation efficiency.

Therefore, according to the present invention, not only can the device (device) be managed efficiently, but also the user can efficiently perform the work using the device (device).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus (multifunctional peripheral device (MFP)) of the network system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a controller of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of a controller of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining attribute table information of the supervisor.

FIG. 6 shows an attribute ID and a type ID included in the attribute table information.
FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining correspondence table information between a sub address and a service ID.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a connection format ID included in the correspondence table information.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining correspondence table information between sub-addresses and task types.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining attribute table information of a print manager.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating job table information.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining job request table information.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining attribute table information of a scan job manager.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating attribute table information of a copy job manager.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating attribute table information of a printer controller.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating job queue table information.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating attribute table information of a scanner controller.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a command packet.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the command packet.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a job.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the job script processing (start to S2116) in each manager.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the job script processing (S2117 to end) in each manager.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining job processing in the print job manager.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining job processing in the scan job manager.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining job processing in the copy job manager.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for describing event setting table information and event format table information.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating the event transmission process.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining access processing of the attribute table information.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a user authentication process.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining an authentication process using mail in the user authentication process.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a warning / failure mail notification process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Network system 101 Controller 102 Scanner engine 103 Laser beam printer engine 104 Finisher 105 Network interface 106 User interface 110 (1), 110 (2), ... Image processing device 120 Client (user) side terminal device 130 Network 301 CPU 302 Memory 303 LCD display 304 Keyboard 309 Bus 310 ROM 311 Storage medium 401 User interface driver 402 Network interface driver 403 User interface manager 404 TCP / IP / UDP / IP processing module 405 Interpreter 406 Overall management manager 407 Dispatcher 408 Scan job Manager 409 Print job manager 410 Copy job manager 411 Scanner controller 412 Printer controller

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus which can be used by a user via a network, comprising: an apparatus management means for managing the own apparatus and other apparatuses on the network; and an information processing apparatus for managing the user. An information processing apparatus comprising: a user management unit; and an authentication unit configured to perform authentication of the user by e-mail via the network based on management information of the device management unit and the user management unit. . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device management unit manages at least one of information for identifying the own device and another device on the network, performance information, and operation status information. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said user management means manages at least one of a device use restriction, an authentication method, and a security level on said user side. 4. The authentication means accesses a mail server or another authentication server on the network,
2. The authentication on the user side.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The authentication means includes first means for performing authentication of the user using an e-mail address, and second means for performing authentication of the user using a user name and password of the user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify the user who has been authenticated by the authentication unit of information relating to the user by e-mail via the network. Information processing device. 7. The notifying means notifies at least one of a use result of the own apparatus, a use state, presence / absence of a failure in the own apparatus, and a current use state with respect to a preset available resource limit. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: 8. A network system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other via a network, wherein at least one device among the plurality of devices is according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A network system having the function of an information processing device. 9. An apparatus which can be used by a user via a network and an information processing method for managing the user, wherein an apparatus management step for managing the own apparatus and other apparatuses on the network A user management step of performing management on the user side; and an authentication step of performing authentication of the user side by an authentication server via the network based on management information in the device management step and the user management step. An information processing method comprising: 10. An information processing method for managing at least its own device and a user side in a device that can be used from a user side via a network, wherein a plurality of devices including the own device on the network are identified. Device management step of managing at least one of information, performance information, and operation status, and a user management step of managing at least one of the user-side device use upper limit, a user authentication method, and a security level. An information processing method, wherein the user management step includes a POP authentication step of performing user authentication of the user using a mail server among authentication servers on the network. 11. The POP authentication step includes a simple authentication step of performing user authentication based on a user name of an e-mail address, and a user authentication step of performing user authentication based on a user name and a password. 10. The information processing device according to item 10. 12. The POP authentication step includes: a use result notifying step of notifying a user who has performed the user authentication or an administrator of the own device of a use result or a use state by e-mail via the network; A failure notification step of notifying a user who has performed user authentication or a device administrator of the device by e-mail via the network whether or not a failure has occurred in the device; and a user or device having performed the user authentication. The administrator has reached the preset upper limit of available resources,
11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a warning notification step of notifying the user of approach by an electronic mail via the network. 13. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to implement the functions of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or the functions of the network system according to claim 8. 14. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the information processing method according to claim 9.