JP2003091507A - Information processing device and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device for allowing a caretaker to use special functions, the use of which is permitted to the caretaker, by a simple operation. SOLUTION: The information processing device is normally set to a password input standby state when a user password validating mode is indicated. When a caretaker password is input under the password input standby state and then both of a caretaker mode button and an environment setting button are pushed, the information processing device shifts to an environment setting accept state under which only a caretaker can use the information processing device. When a user password is input under the password input standby state, the information processing device starts to operate under a state where the information processing device does not shift to the environment setting accept state under which only the caretaker can use the information processing device by pushing the caretaker mode button and the environment setting button, and also the information processing device returns to the password input standby state when a predetermined reset event occurs.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a special function, which is permitted to be used only by an administrator, and a control method for such an information processing apparatus.

[0002]

As is well known, some information processing devices include
There is an information processing device (for example, a copying machine) shared by a plurality of persons. It is often desired that such an information processing apparatus can be operated in a form that can limit the users or manage the amount of use by each user. Therefore, prior to actual use, the user must enter the information (password, user code, etc .; hereinafter referred to as user password) assigned to himself or the group to which he belongs. An information processing device configured as above is also known.

Further, recent information processing apparatuses are generally capable of setting various operating conditions, and if the operating conditions are changed, normal processing results cannot be obtained ( The operating conditions are also included).

Therefore, there is also an information processing apparatus configured so that specific information (hereinafter referred to as an administrator password) must be input when performing special operation condition setting. .

[0005]

The existing information processing apparatus also includes an information processing apparatus having both of the above-mentioned functions.
This is a device in which special operating condition settings cannot be made unless the administrator password is input after the user password is input.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation as described above, and an object of the present invention is to allow an administrator to use a special function which only the administrator is allowed to use with a simple operation. It is possible to operate the information processing device capable of performing the information processing device and the information processing device as a device in which the administrator can use a special function that only the administrator is allowed to use with a simple operation. A control method is provided.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, an information processing apparatus having a special function that can be used only by an administrator is assigned to an administrator password assigned to an administrator and a user. Password storing means that stores the user password that has been stored, information input means that is used by the operator to input the password or information that specifies the content of processing to be executed, and the operation of the operator on the information input means The first state in which the information for instructing the use of the special function is acquired through the information processing device, and the information for instructing the use of the function other than the special function is obtained through the operation of the operator on the information input means. The password is obtained through the second state in which the information is acquired and the processing according to the information is executed, and the operation of the operator for the information input means. In the case of having the function of operating in any of the third states to be acquired and acquiring the same information as the administrator password stored in the password storage means from the operator while operating in the third state , When the same information as the user password stored in the password storage means is acquired from the operator when the operation in the first state is started and the operation in the third state is performed, the operation in the second state is performed. And a process executing means for starting the operation in the third state when the occurrence of a predetermined event is detected while starting the operation and operating in the first state or the second state. .

That is, the information processing apparatus of the present invention has a structure in which the administrator can use the special function without inputting the user password if the administrator inputs the administrator password. Therefore, the information processing apparatus of the present invention functions as an apparatus that allows the administrator to use the special function with a simple operation.

When the information processing apparatus of the present invention is implemented, as the processing execution means, a specific operation is performed on the information input means and a state in which the information input means is not operated for a predetermined time. It is desirable to employ a means for starting the operation in the third state when the above is continued.

In other words, the information processing apparatus of the present invention should be configured such that the predetermined event indicates that a specific operation (operation for instructing termination of use of the information processing apparatus) is performed on the information input means. You can also However, the information processing device configured as described above functions as a device that allows anyone to use a special function or a function other than the special function when a specific operation is not performed on the information input means. Will end up. On the other hand, if the process execution means having the above-mentioned configuration (function) is adopted, when a specific operation is not performed on the information input means (the operator forgets to perform the specific operation). If)
Since the information processing apparatus (processing executing means) starts the operation in the third state, it is desirable to adopt the above processing executing means when implementing the information processing apparatus of the present invention.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the first state of the process executing means indicates the information for instructing the use of the special function and the use of the function other than the special function through the operation of the operator on the information input means. It may be configured so as to be in a state in which information is acquired and processing related to a special function or processing related to a function other than the special function is executed according to the acquired information.

Further, the information processing apparatus of the present invention is configured such that the second state is a state in which information for instructing execution conditions of copy processing and information for instructing execution of copy processing are acquired from the administrator. You can In other words, the information processing apparatus of the present invention may be realized as a so-called copy machine (copy system, copy apparatus).

The information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention has a special function that can be used only by the administrator, and is used by the operator to input a password or information designating the contents of processing to be executed. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus having information input means, comprising: acquiring information instructing use of a special function through an operation of an operator on the information input means, and performing a process related to the special function according to the information. Function execution step and normal function execution step for acquiring information instructing the use of a function other than the special function through the operator's operation on the information input means and executing the processing of the content according to the information, and the information input means Acquire a password through the operation of the operator, and if the acquired password is the administrator password, perform a special function The process of step is started, when the obtained password is user password,
The password input monitoring step for starting the processing of the normal function execution step, and the normal function execution step or the special function execution step when a predetermined event occurs while the processing of the normal function execution step or the special function execution step is being executed. And an event occurrence monitoring step of stopping the processing of (1) and starting the processing of the password input monitoring step.

According to this control method of the information processing apparatus, if the administrator inputs the administrator password, the information processing apparatus can be operated as an apparatus capable of utilizing the special function without inputting the user password. Therefore, if the control method of the information processing apparatus of the present invention is used, it is possible to realize an information processing apparatus in which the administrator can use the special function with a simple operation.

In carrying out the control method of the present invention, as an event occurrence monitoring step, a specific operation is performed on the information input means and a state in which the information input means is not operated for a predetermined time. It is desirable to adopt a step of stopping the processing of the normal function execution step or the special function execution step and continuing the processing of the password input monitoring step when the above is continued.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, an outline of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a so-called copy machine (hereinafter referred to as a copy system 10), which includes a scanner 11 and a printer 13. And a copy operation unit 12 connected to them.

The scanner 11 is a scanner that can be used as a peripheral device of a computer, and is used to configure the copy system 10 (a copy operation unit 12 and a scanner 11).
A device equipped with an expansion board (for connecting with and). The printer 13 is a device in which an expansion board (for connecting the copy operation unit 12 and the printer 13) for configuring the copy system 10 is attached to a printer that can be used as a peripheral device of a computer.

The copy operation unit 12 receives, from the operator of the copy system 10, an instruction to change the processing conditions of the copy processing to be executed and an instruction to start the copying processing, and the processing for ascertaining the copying conditions and the recognized copying. This is a device that performs control processing for causing the scanner 11 and the printer 13 to perform copy processing under certain conditions.

As shown in FIG. 2, the copy operation unit 12 includes a touch screen 31, a ten-key unit 32 including a ten-key, an administrator mode button 32s, a reset button 32r, and an objective sensor 33 (see also FIG. 1). And three LEDs 34.

More specifically, the copy operation unit 12
Is the touch screen 3 described above, as shown in FIG.
1, numeric keypad 32, objective sensor 33 and three LEDs
34, a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a communication control circuit 24, a HDD 25, an LCD control circuit 26, an input interface circuit (input I / F) 27, a sensor control circuit 28, an LED drive circuit 29, a key touch sound generation circuit 30, and the like. , Equipped with the device.

The CPU 21 is a control circuit for integrally controlling each section in the copy operation unit 12. ROM22
Is a program or CP that defines the operating procedure of the CPU 21.
It is a non-volatile memory in which data used by U21 is recorded. The RAM 23 is a memory used by the CPU 21 (program) to temporarily store various information. In the communication control circuit 24, the CPU 21 controls the printer 1
3 or a circuit used for exchanging information with the scanner 11 (command transmission, image data reception, print data transmission). The LCD control circuit 26 is
It is a circuit that causes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 35, which is a component of the touch screen 31, to display an image (screen) of the content instructed by the CPU 21. The input interface circuit 27 is a circuit that notifies the CPU 21 of the operation content performed by the operator on the numeric keypad 32 or the transparent contact position sensor 36 that is a component of the touch screen 31.

The objective sensor 33 is the copy operation unit 1
2 is an infrared sensor for detecting the arrival of the operator before the copy system 10 and the sensor control circuit 28
Is a circuit for notifying the CPU 21 of the detection result of the objective sensor 33. Although the details will be described later, this objective sensor 33
(And the sensor control circuit 28) is used as a power saving mode release switch. The LED drive circuit 29 is a CPU
ON / OFF of each LED 34 according to the instruction from 21.
The key touch sound generation circuit 30 is a circuit that performs control.
It is a circuit that generates a key touch sound or the like according to an instruction from the CPU 21.

The HDD 25 has a password management table,
It is an auxiliary storage device that holds operating condition information, a usage history management database, and the like. The password management table is a table that can store one administrator password and some (zero or more) user passwords. The password management table at the time of shipment of the copy operation unit 12 has a predetermined content (the value is described in a manual or the like).
Only the administrator password is stored. The copy system 10 (copy operation unit 12) of the present embodiment
Is a system that uses 4-digit numerical information as a password.

The operating condition information is information defining operating conditions of the copy system 10 at power-on / reset / timeout (details will be described later). This operating condition information includes
Information indicating whether the currently set password mode is the user password valid mode or the user password invalid mode, information indicating whether the objective sensor 33 functions as a switch for canceling the power saving mode, various copy conditions Information etc. are included. Here, the user password valid mode is a mode in which the copy system 10 operates as a device that requires a password to be used (a device that cannot be copied unless a password is entered), and a user password invalid mode. The mode is a mode in which the copy system 10 operates as a device that does not require a password to be used (a device that can perform a copy without entering a password).

The operating condition information is information that can be changed only by the administrator (those who know the administrator password). Further, the operation condition information at the time of shipping of the copy operation unit 12 includes information indicating that the password mode is the user password invalid mode. Although not shown in the figure, the HDD 25 also includes operating condition master information, which has exactly the same contents as the operating condition information at the time of shipping, so that the updated operating condition information can be returned to that at the time of shipping. It is stored.

The usage history management database is a database for storing the usage history of the copy system 10. When the password mode is the user password invalid mode, the usage history management database stores the contents of the copy processing (color / monochrome, number of sheets, etc.) and the time when the copy processing is performed (addition). )
To be done. On the other hand, when the password mode is the user password valid mode, the use history management database stores the above-mentioned information and the user password input at the start of the copy process.

Further, the copy system 1 according to the present embodiment
In 0, the password management table in the HDD 25 corresponds to the password storage means, the touch screen 31 and the ten-key portion 32 correspond to the information input means, and the parts other than them correspond to the processing execution means. There is.

Given the above, the operation of the copy system 10 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described below.

The CP in the copy operation unit 12 is shown in FIG.
The general operation procedure of U21 is shown. As shown, the CPU in the copy operation unit 12 when the power is turned on.
Reference numeral 21 executes a start-up process (step S100) for confirming that the respective units in the copy operation unit 12 and the scanner 11 and the printer 13 are operating normally. Then, the CPU 21 determines whether the current password mode is the user password valid mode or the user password invalid mode based on the operating environment information stored in the HDD 25 (step S101).

When the password mode is the user password valid mode (step S101; YE)
S), the CPU 21 displays the password input screen as shown in FIG. 5 on the touch screen 31 (LCD 35) (step S102). The password input screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed after the password is input, and in step S102, "**" is displayed in this figure.
A process for displaying a password input screen in which nothing is displayed in the part marked "**" is performed.

Next, the CPU 21 allows the operator (user or administrator) to enter the user password or the administrator through the operation of the operator on the ten keys included in the ten key unit 32 (based on the information notified by the input I / F 27). A password acquisition process for acquiring a password is executed (step S103). During this password acquisition process, C
The PU 21 first initializes an input password character string, which is a character string (variable for character string) for storing a password (four-digit numerical information), to "NULL". And C
When the PU 21 detects that the “0” to “9” keys forming the numeric keypad have been pressed, it adds a character (number) corresponding to the pressed key to the end of the input password character string. Further, the CPU 21 displays information in which "*" are arranged in the same number as the number of characters of the input password character string in the password input screen (processing to increase "*" displayed in the password input screen by one). Also do.

The CPU 21 also uses the "C" in the numeric keypad.
When it is detected that a key has been pressed, the last character of the input password string will be erased, and the same number of “*” characters as the number of characters in the input password string will be displayed in the password input screen. Display (Delete “*” displayed on the far right of the password entry screen).

Then, when the CPU 21 detects that the "OK" button on the password input screen is pressed (when the touch screen 31 (input I / F 27) notifies that), the password acquisition process is performed. To finish.
Then, in the subsequent step S104, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the acquired password is valid. In step S104, the CPU 21 determines that the HDD
It is checked whether or not the administrator password and the user password stored in the password management table in 25 include a password that matches the input password character string. If such a password exists, the CPU 21 determines that the password acquired from the operator is valid, and if such a password does not exist, the operator It is judged that the password obtained from is not valid.

If the password obtained from the operator is not valid (step S104; NO), CP
U21 performs an alert message display process of displaying a message indicating that the entered password is incorrect on the password input screen for a certain period of time (step S105). After that, the CPU 21 performs step S103.
Then, the state of waiting for the input of the password by the operator is again set.

On the other hand, if the password obtained from the operator is valid (step S104; YES), C
PU21 performs the process for displaying a basic operation screen on the touch screen 31 in step S106.
If it is determined in step S101 that the password mode is the user password invalid mode, the CPU
21 executes this step S106 without executing the processing of steps S102 to S105.

As shown in FIG. 6, the basic operation screen is a screen for allowing the operator to set (change) the number of copies, copy magnification, document type, etc., and step S1
The CPU 21, which displayed the basic operation screen in 06,
In subsequent step S107, the occurrence of various events is awaited (monitored).

The events in which the CPU 21 waits for the occurrence in step S107 are roughly classified into a reset event, a copy-related operation event, and the pressing of the administrator mode button 32s.

For the reset event, the reset button 3
There are continuous pressing of 2r for 3 seconds or more, and a time-out event that a state in which no operation is performed continues for a predetermined time. The event whose occurrence is detected in step S107 is
If any of these is the case (step S108: reset event), the CPU 21 executes the processing from step S101 again.

The occurrence of this reset event is also monitored during the first and second status display / environment setting processing and status display processing, which will be described later, and the CPU 21 resets the reset event during these processing. Also when the occurrence of is detected, the processing from step S101 is started. In addition, the copy operation unit 12 (CPU
In 21), when no operation is performed for more than a predetermined time (a time that can be set independently of the predetermined time), the screen display on the touch screen 31 is not performed. It is configured to enter a power saving mode. When operating in this power saving mode, C
The PU 21 only monitors that some operation is performed on the touch screen 31 and the numeric keypad 32 and that the objective sensor 33 detects that the operator comes before the copy operation unit 12 (“objective”). Sensor "
Is set not to be used as the power saving mode release switch, only the operation of the touch screen 31 or the like is monitored). Then, when the CPU 21 recognizes that the touch screen 31, the numeric keypad 32 is operated, etc., the CPU 21 determines whether a time-out event has occurred, and if a time-out event has occurred, The mode is shifted to the normal mode by starting the process from step S101. On the other hand, if no timeout event has occurred, the CPU 21
Shifts to the normal mode by resuming the processing of the step that was being executed at the time of shifting to the power saving mode.

The events handled as copy-related operation events include an operation for setting (changing) copy conditions by the operator (mainly pressing a button displayed on the touch screen 31) and starting a copy process. There is an operation for instructing (pressing the start button included in the ten-key portion 32). When the event whose occurrence has been detected in step S107 is such a copy-related operation event (step S108: other), the CPU 21 performs processing in accordance with the event that has occurred in step S109, that is, the touch screen. The process of changing a part of the screen displayed on the screen 31 and the touch screen 3
Processing for displaying another type of screen on 1, touch screen 31
A command for starting the process of re-displaying the basic operation screen and the copy process (original reading) is transmitted to the scanner 11, and as a result, the image data transmitted from the scanner 11 is subjected to image processing and the printer is processed. Thirteen
And a process of adding information indicating the contents of the copy process executed to the usage history management database. After that, the CPU 21 returns to step S107,
Once again, the system waits for the occurrence of various events.

When the event whose occurrence is detected in step S107 is the pressing of the administrator mode button 32s (step S108; the administrator mode button is pressed), CP
The U21 determines whether the password mode is the user password valid mode or the user password invalid mode (step S110).

When the password mode is the user password invalid mode (step S110; NO), in other words, the operation is performed without executing the processing of steps S102 to S105 (the processing for obtaining the password from the operator). When the administrator mode button 32s is pressed in the above state, the CPU 21 executes the first status display / environment setting process (step S111).

During the first status display / environment setting process, the CPU 21 operates in the procedure shown in FIG. It should be noted that, in order to avoid complication in this flow chart, the steps relating to the detection of the reset event are omitted, but as described above, the CPU 21 is
The occurrence of a reset event is also monitored during status display / environment setting processing, and when a reset event is detected, the processing from step S101 (FIG. 4) is started.

That is, during the first status display / environment setting processing, the CPU 21 first sets the status display screen, which is the screen showing the status information showing the status of each device constituting the copy system 10, to the touch screen 31. Is displayed (step S201). Book copy system 1
0 (copy operation unit 12) is provided with five status display screens with different types of status information shown. In step S201, the status display screen as shown in FIG. Unit 1
2 (in the figure, "main body") has status information area 41 in which status information is displayed, and environment setting button 4
2, status print button 43, cancel button 4
4, a previous screen button 45 (grayed out and invalid), a next screen button 46, and a status display including a screen number display area 47 indicating which screen the status display screen being displayed is. The screen is displayed.

Although not shown, the second to fourth status display screens differ from each other in the content of the status information displayed in the status information area 41 and the content of the information displayed in the screen number display area 47. Except for the fact that both the previous screen button 45 and the next screen button 46 are valid buttons, the screen has the same configuration as the status display screen shown in this figure. Also, in the fifth status display screen, the content of the status information displayed in the status information area 41 is different from the content of the information displayed in the screen number display area 47, and not the previous screen button 45. The screen has the same configuration as the status display screen shown in this figure except that the next screen button 46 is an invalid button.

After displaying the status display screen as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 21 waits for the operator to operate the status display screen (touch screen 31) (step S202). And CPU2
When the operator performs an operation different from the pressing of the cancel button 44 or the pressing of the environment setting button 42 (step S203; other), 1 executes a process according to the performed operation in step S204. .

Specifically, when the previous screen button 45 or the next screen button 46 (valid one) is pressed (steps S202, S203; others), the CPU 21 displays the previous screen on the touch screen 31 in step S204. Performs processing for displaying the next or next status display screen. When the status print button 43 is pressed (steps S202, S203; other), the CPU
In step S204, the process 21 supplies the printer 13 with print data for ejecting (printing) the paper on which various status information is printed.

The CPU 21, which has executed such processing in step S204, returns to step 202 and waits again for the status display screen to be operated.

When the CPU 21 detects that the cancel button 44 on the status display screen has been pressed (steps S202, S203; cancel), the first status display / environment setting process is terminated,
In step S106 (FIG. 4), the basic operation screen is displayed on the touch screen 31.

On the other hand, if the environment setting button 42 is pressed (steps S202, S203; environment setting), the CPU
21 performs the process of displaying the administrator password input screen on the touch screen 31 (step S205), and then executes the administrator password acquisition process (step S).
206). The administrator password input screen displayed on the touch screen 31 by the process of step S205 is the password input screen displayed in step S102 (see FIG. 5).
The same screen as the reference password), and the administrator password acquisition process executed in step S206 has the same contents as the password acquisition process already described in step S103.

After completing the administrator password acquisition processing, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S207 to confirm that the password (information indicated by the password character string) acquired by the administrator password acquisition processing is a valid administrator password (password). It is determined whether it is the same information as the administrator password stored in the management table).

If the password entered by the operator is not a valid administrator password (step S20)
7; NO), the CPU 21 performs the alert message display process (step S208) to display a message indicating that the entered password is incorrect on the administrator password input screen for a certain period of time. After that, the CPU 21 returns to step S206, and again waits for the operator (administrator) to input the administrator password.

On the other hand, if the entered password is a valid administrator password (step S207; YE)
S), the CPU 21 starts a process (hereinafter, referred to as an environment setting process) including steps S209 to S213.

This environment setting process is a process for receiving a change instruction regarding various operating conditions from the administrator through an operation on a plurality of types of screens including three types of environment setting basic screens. CPU that started
21 first displays the environment setting basic screen shown in FIG. 9 on the touch screen 31 (step S209). Next, the CPU 21 waits for an operation to be performed on the environment setting basic screen (step S210), and the performed operation instructs the end of the environment setting processing (decision button 5).
3. If the return button 54 is not pressed (step S211; other), the process according to the operation is executed (step S212), and then the process returns to step S210.

Here, the configuration of each environment setting basic screen and the process executed in step S212 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The "ON" button associated with the "key touch sound" on the environment setting basic screen shown in FIG.
The "OFF" button is a hardware / software key (key / button of the numeric keypad 32, touch screen 3
This is a button for setting whether to emit a key touch sound (whether to output the key touch sound to the key touch sound generating circuit 30) when the button displayed in 1) is pressed. Further, the “ON” button and the “OFF” button associated with “automatic paper feeding” are used when the paper feeding device (a component of the printer 13) designated by the operator using the basic operation screen runs out of paper. Is a button for setting whether or not to use paper in another paper feeding device in which paper of the same size is set.

"O" associated with the "objective sensor"
The N ”button and the“ OFF ”button are buttons for setting whether or not the objective sensor 33 functions as a power saving mode release switch.“ ON ”button and“ OFF ”associated with the“ user password ” The button is
It is a button for setting whether the password mode is the user password valid mode or the invalid mode.

If the operation performed in step S210 is pressing any one of these buttons (step S2)
11; other), the CPU 21 determines, in step S212, the pressed button (the fact that a certain condition is selected) without changing the operation condition information in the HDD 25 to that according to the operation content by the administrator. It is stored (the content of the operating condition information is updated in step S213).
Further, the CPU 21 indicates that the display mode of the button is selected (in the figure, white characters on a black background).
It also changes to. Then, the CPU 21 ends step S211.

The next screen button 52 on the basic environment setting screen shown in FIG. 9 is a button that the operator (administrator) should press when setting (confirming or changing) other operating conditions. Has become.

The operation performed in step S210 is shown in FIG.
When the next screen button 52 on the environment setting basic screen shown in (4) is pressed (step S211; other), the CPU 2
1 displays the environment setting basic screen shown in FIG. 10 on the touch screen 31 in step S212. Then, in step S210, the CPU 21 waits for an operation on the environment setting basic screen.

The "copy job standard value setting" button provided on the environment setting basic screen shown in FIG. 10 should be pressed by the operator when he wants to change the standard values of various processing conditions for a copy job. It is a button. In addition, the "Color calibration adjustment" button is
And buttons that the user should press to perform color adjustment of the scanner 11. The “default image quality setting” button is a button that the user should press when setting the copy image quality other than color. The operation performed in step S210 is the "copy job standard value setting" button,
If either the "color calibration adjustment" button or the "default image quality setting" button has been pressed (step S211; other), the CPU 21 performs a setting process of the content corresponding to the pressed button in step S212. ,Run. The details are omitted here,
Each setting process is a process that starts with the display of the information setting screen of the specific content and ends with the display of the environment setting basic screen shown in FIG.

The "Reset to factory default setting of copy unit" button provided on the basic environment setting screen shown in FIG. 10 is used to set various condition values constituting the operating condition information to factory default values. This button should be pressed by the operator when he wants to return it. When this "reset to factory default settings for copy unit" button is pressed (step S211;
In addition, the CPU 21 stores the factory-shipped values (values in the operation condition master information stored in the HDD 25) as various condition values in step S212.

The "Set User Password" button is a button that the administrator should press when adding a user password. When the operation performed in step S210 is the pressing of the "user password setting" button (step S211; other), the CPU 21
In step S212, user password setting processing is performed.

During this user password setting process, the CPU
21 first displays the user password setting screen shown in FIG. 11 on the touch screen 31. Then CP
U21 performs the same process as the password acquisition process described above by the first to fourth number groups input by the administrator,
The 5th to 8th groups of numbers are treated as passwords, and "*" related to the 1st to 4th groups of numbers are displayed in the upper blank of the user password setting screen.
This is done by displaying "*" for the eighth group of numbers in the blank space at the bottom of the user password setting screen.

When the CPU 21 detects that the "OK" button on the user password setting screen is pressed, it confirms that the two input user passwords are the same, The entered user password is stored as the newly set user password. Then, the CPU 21 redisplays the environment setting basic screen on the touch screen 31 and ends the user password setting process. If the two entered user passwords are not the same, the CPU 21 displays a message to that effect on the user password setting screen and then waits again for the password entry.

The "administrator password setting" button is a button that the administrator should press when he wants to change the administrator password. When the operation performed in step S210 is the pressing of the "administrator password setting" button (step S211; other), the CPU 21 performs administrator password setting processing in step S212.

During the administrator password setting process, the CPU 21
First, the touch screen 31 is caused to display an administrator password setting screen having the same contents as the user password setting screen (see FIG. 11). Next, the CPU 21 receives the two administrator passwords (twice the same administrator password) from the administrator by performing the same processing as when setting the user password.

When the CPU 21 detects that the "OK" button on the administrator password setting screen has been pressed, it confirms that the two administrator passwords that have been input are the same. Then, the administrator password is stored as a newly set administrator password (changed administrator password). And the CPU 21
Redisplays the environment setting basic screen on the touch screen 31 and finishes the administrator password setting process. If the two entered administrator passwords are not the same, the CPU 21 displays a message to that effect on the administrator password setting screen, and then again, as in the user password setting process. Takes the state of waiting for the password input.

When the previous screen button 51 on the environment setting basic screen shown in FIG. 10 is pressed (step S21)
1; other), the CPU 21 proceeds to step S212.
Touch screen 31 on the environment setting basic screen shown in FIG.
And waits for an operation by the administrator in step S210.

On the other hand, when the next screen button 52 on the environment setting basic screen shown in FIG. 10 is pressed (step S21)
1; other), the CPU 21 proceeds to step S212.
The administrator causes the touch screen 31 to display an environment setting basic screen on which a process (printing or clearing of contents) related to the usage history information database can be performed. Then, the CPU 21
Waits for the administrator to operate the environment setting basic screen in step S210, and when some operation is performed, executes a process according to the performed operation in step S212. . The configuration of this environment setting basic screen is the same as that of the environment setting basic screen shown in FIG. 10, and the processing that the administrator can perform on the usage history information database by this environment setting basic screen is not special. Therefore, the detailed description of the environment setting basic screen will be omitted.

Returning to FIG. 7, the description of the first status / environment setting process will be continued.

When the enter button 53 on any of the basic environment setting screens is pressed (step S211; enter), C
PU21 performs the process for reflecting the setting content by an administrator in operation condition information (step S213). That is, in this step, the CPU 21 determines that the HDD
The operation condition information and password management table in 25 are changed to those corresponding to the contents set by the administrator this time. That is, "ON" of "key touch sound" /
When "OFF" or the like has been changed, the CPU 21 rewrites the corresponding information in the operation condition information. Also, CP
If a new user password has been set, U21 adds the user password to the password management table, and if a new administrator password has been set, the U21 uses that administrator password in the password management table. Rewrite the existing admin password for.

Then, the CPU 21 causes the first status
The environment setting process is terminated, and the basic operation screen is displayed on the touch screen 31 in step S106 (FIG. 4). When the return button 54 on any of the basic environment setting screens is pressed (step S211; return), the CP
U21 ends the first status / environment setting process without updating the operating condition information and the like.

Returning to FIG. 4, the description of the operation of the CPU 21 will be continued.

When the administrator mode button 32s is pressed while the password mode is the user password valid mode (step S118; administrator mode button is pressed, step S110; YES), the CPU 21 executes the processing of steps S102 to S105. Based on the acquired password, it is determined whether the operator is the administrator or the user (step S112).

When the operator is the administrator (step S112; administrator), the CPU 21 executes the second status display / environment setting process (step S113), and the operator is the user. If (step S11
2; user, status display processing (step S1)
14) is executed.

During the second status display / environment setting process, C
The PU 21 operates according to the procedure shown in FIG. 12, and during the status display processing, the CPU 21 operates according to the procedure shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 21 during the second status display / environment setting processing
Indicates steps S201 to S204 and S209 to S of the first status display / environment setting process (FIG. 7) already described.
The same processing as that of step 213 is performed in step S301.
-S304 and S309-S313 are performed. In other words, during the second status display / environment setting process, the CPU2
1 is the same as the first status display / environment setting process, except that when the environment setting button 42 is pressed, the environment setting basic screen is displayed without displaying the administrator password input screen. Run.

On the other hand, CP during status display processing
U21, as shown in FIG.
1 except that the environment setting button 42 displays an invalid (grayed-out) status display screen, the same as the part of steps S201 to S204 of the first status display / environment setting process. Execute the processing of the contents. That is, during execution of this status display processing, the CPU 21 operates in a state in which nothing is done even if the operator presses the environment setting button 42 on the status display screen.

Although not shown in the flow chart,
As already described, the CPU 21 also monitors the occurrence of a reset event during these processes, and when a reset event is detected, the process from step S101 (FIG. 4) is started.

Then, the CPU 21, which has completed the second status display / environment setting processing or the status display processing in response to the operator's instruction (pressing the button shown on the touch screen 31), proceeds to step S106 (FIG. 4). Returning to this, the basic operation screen is displayed on the touch screen 31.

The operation method (operation procedure) of the copy system 10 will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, an operation method for operating the copy system 10 in the factory shipment state (the copy system 10 in which the password mode is the user password invalid mode) in the user password valid mode will be described.

The copy operation unit 12 at the time of factory shipment is
Operating condition information including information indicating that the password mode is the user password invalid mode in the HDD 25;
A password management table in which only the administrator password is set is stored. Therefore, in order to operate the copy system 10 in the user password valid mode, the operation of setting at least one user password by the administrator (who knows the administrator password) and the password mode being set to the user password valid mode. Work to change must be done.

When performing these operations, the administrator presses the administrator mode button 32s of the copy operation unit 12 after turning on the power of the copy system 10.

When the above operation is performed, the password mode check (step S of FIG. 4) is performed when the power is turned on.
In the processing of 101), it is determined that the user password invalid mode is set. Therefore, as schematically shown in the lower side of FIG. 14, the copy system 10 (copy operation unit 1)
In 2), the basic operation screen is displayed in which the basic operation screen is displayed. When the administrator mode button 32s is pressed in this state, step S1
At 10, a branch is made to the "NO" side, and the first status display / environment setting process is started.

When the first status display / environment setting process (FIG. 7) is started, the status display screen in which the environment setting button 42 is valid is displayed on the touch screen 31. , The environment setting button 42 on the status display screen is pressed. By this operation, the processes of steps S205 to S208 are started, and the copy system 10 enters the administrator password input standby state in which the administrator password input screen is displayed. Therefore, the administrator inputs the administrator password. .

When the administrator password entered by the administrator is valid, the copy system 10 displays the basic environment setting screen (steps S209 to S21).
The environment setting accepting state is executed. Therefore, the administrator operates the environment setting basic screen displayed on the touch screen 31 to perform a work for setting some user passwords. Then, after performing the work for changing the password mode to the password valid mode, the “OK” button is pressed.

The administrator then clicks the reset button 32r.
Is continuously pressed for 3 seconds or more, or is left as it is (normally, the reset button 32r is pressed).

A password mode check is performed when the reset button 32r is continuously pressed for 3 seconds or more, and when a predetermined time or more elapses without any input (when a reset event occurs). Be done. Then, when the password mode is changed to the user password valid mode, the processing from step S102 is executed. Therefore, when the administrator performs the above-described series of operations, the copy system 10 operates in the password input standby state in which the password input screen is displayed on the touch screen 31 as shown in the upper side of FIG. Will start.

Next, an operation method of the copy system 10 in which the password mode is the user password valid mode will be described.

When the password mode is the user password valid mode, the copy system 10 operates as shown in FIG.
Since the password input waiting state shown on the upper side of 4 is taken, a user who wants to use the copy system 10
By inputting the user password notified by the administrator, the copy system 10 is shifted to the basic operation screen display state, and work for obtaining a desired copy is performed. After the user finishes using the copy system 10, the user continuously presses the reset button 32r for 3 seconds or more, or leaves it as it is.

When the user continuously presses the reset button 32r for 3 seconds or more, the copy system 10 in which the password mode is the user password valid mode,
Transition to the password input standby state. Further, if the user leaves it as it is, the copy system 10 takes a state in which the basic operation screen is displayed on the touch screen 31 for a while, and then shifts to a password input standby state. .

That is, when the password mode is the user password valid mode, the copy system 1
0 indicates that the password setting screen is displayed on the touch screen 31 or the basic operation screen is displayed (however, the power saving mode may be entered).

When the administrator tries to set the copy system 10 and the copy system 10 is in the password input standby state, the administrator inputs the administrator password and then pushes the administrator mode button 32s. Press down.
As a result of the second status display / environment setting process (FIG. 12) being executed by this operation, the copy system 10
The status display screen in which the environment setting button 42 is valid is in the status display state displayed on the touch screen 31. Therefore, the administrator only needs to press the environment setting button 42 on the status display screen to copy the system 1.
It will be possible to set 0.

On the other hand, when the copy system 10 in which the password mode is the user password valid mode is in the basic setting screen display state, in other words, the copy system 10 is shifted to the basic setting screen display state by inputting the user password. If the user does not press the reset button 32r after using the copy system 10, the administrator does not work on the touch screen 31 even if the administrator presses the administrator mode button 32s. Only the status display screen with is displayed.

In this case, the administrator has the reset button 32.
By continuously pressing r for 3 seconds or more, the copy system 10 shifts to the password input standby state. After that, the administrator enters the administrator password on the displayed password entry screen, and then the administrator mode button 3
By pressing 2s, the copy system 10
The status is changed to the status display state in which the environment setting basic screen including the functioning environment setting button 42 is displayed. After performing the desired setting work, the administrator continuously presses the reset button 32r for 3 seconds or more,
Move to the password input waiting state.

As described above, in the copy system 10 (copy operation unit 12) of the present embodiment, the administrator only needs to press the button several times and input the administrator password to set the environment. An operable state (a state in which special functions can be used) is formed. Therefore, the copy system 10 functions as a system in which the administrator can use the special function (by a simple operation) without performing the complicated work such as inputting the user password and the administrator password.

<Modification> The copy system 10 described above
The (information processing device 10) can be modified in various ways. For example, if the password acquired in step S103 (FIG. 4) is the administrator password, the second status display / environment setting process is executed immediately,
The copy system 10 may be modified.

Further, the copy system 10 is set so that the reset event is only the pressing of the reset button 32r.
May be configured. However, if the user or administrator forgets to press the reset button 32r, the copy system 10 configured in this way functions as a device that allows anyone to perform operations as a user or administrator. Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation, it is desirable to adopt the configuration of the embodiment.

Further, based on the technique used in the copy system 10 described above, an information processing apparatus for performing processing other than copying may be configured, or a dedicated copying machine may be configured. That is natural.

[0104]

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an information processing apparatus in which an administrator can use a special function, which only the administrator is allowed to use, by a simple operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a copy system (information processing device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a copy operation unit included in the copy system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a copy operation unit included in the copy system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall operation procedure of the copy operation unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a password input screen displayed on the touch screen of the copy operation unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a basic operation screen displayed on the touch screen of the copy operation unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a first status display / environment setting process executed by the copy operation unit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a status display screen displayed on the touch screen of the copy operation unit.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an environment setting screen displayed on the touch screen of the copy operation unit.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an environment setting screen displayed on the touch screen of the copy operation unit.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a user password setting screen displayed on the touch screen of the copy operation unit.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a second status display / environment setting process executed by the copy operation unit.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of status display processing executed by the copy operation unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a method of state transition of a copy system (copy operation unit).

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Copy system (information processing device) 11 scanner 12 Copy operation unit 13 Printer 21 CPU 22 ROM 23 RAM 24 Communication control circuit 25 HDD 26 LCD control circuit 27 Input interface circuit 28 Sensor control circuit 29 LED drive circuit 30 key touch sound generation circuit 31 touch screen 32 Numeric keypad 32s administrator mode button 32r reset button 33 Objective sensor 34 LED 35 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 36 Contact position sensor 41 Situation Information Area 42 Preferences button 43 Status print button 44 Cancel button 45, 51 Previous screen button 46, 52 Next screen button 47 screen number display area 53 decision button 54 Back button

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus having a special function, which is permitted to be used only by an administrator, wherein the password storage stores an administrator password assigned to the administrator and a user password assigned to the user. Means, an information input means operated by an operator for inputting a password or information for specifying the content of processing to be executed, and an instruction to use the special function through the operator's operation on the information input means. A first state in which information is acquired and processing relating to the special function according to the information is executed, and information for instructing the use of a function other than the special function is acquired through an operation of the operator on the information input means, The password is acquired through the second state in which the processing according to the content is executed and the operation of the operator on the information input means. When the same information as the administrator password stored in the password storage means is acquired from the operator while having the function of operating in any of the third states and operating in the third state , When starting the operation in the first state and operating in the third state,
When the same information as the user password stored in the password storage means is acquired from the operator, the operation in the second state is started, and the operation in the first state or the second state is started.
An information processing apparatus, comprising: a processing execution unit that starts the operation in the third state when the occurrence of a predetermined event is detected while operating in the state. 2. The processing execution means, when a specific operation is performed on the information input means, and when a state where no operation is performed on the information input means continues for a predetermined time or more, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation in the third state is started. 3. The first state of the processing execution means acquires information instructing the use of the special function and information instructing the use of a function other than the special function through an operation of an operator on the information input means. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is in a state of performing processing related to the special function or processing related to a function other than the special function according to the acquired information. 4. The second state according to claim 1, wherein the second state is a state in which information instructing execution conditions of copy processing and information instructing execution of copy processing are acquired. The information processing device according to 1. 5. An information processing system which has a special function that only an administrator is permitted to use, and which has an information input unit operated by an operator to input a password or information designating a process to be executed. A method of controlling the device, which acquires information instructing the use of the special function through an operation of the operator on the information input unit, and a special function execution step of executing a process related to the special function according to the information, A normal function execution step of acquiring information instructing the use of a function other than the special function through an operator's operation on the information input unit, and executing a process according to the information, and an operator for the information input unit If the password is acquired through the operation of and the acquired password is the administrator password, the special function execution Start processing, and if the acquired password is a user password, a password input monitoring step for starting the processing of the normal function execution step, and processing of the normal function execution step or the special function execution step An event occurrence monitoring step of stopping the processing of the normal function execution step or the special function execution step and starting the processing of the password input monitoring step when a predetermined event occurs in the state where A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising: 6. The event occurrence monitoring step is performed when a specific operation is performed on the information input unit and when a state in which the information input unit is not operated continues for a predetermined time or more. The control method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processing of the normal function execution step or the special function execution step is stopped and the processing of the password input monitoring step is started.