JP2005284719A - Communication device and terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal device allowing easier input of information for specifying a user, and a communication device transmitting a list of the user in response to a request to realize such a function of the terminal device. <P>SOLUTION: The terminal device 1 transmits the user list request to the communication device 2. When the communication device 2 receives the user list request, the communication device 2 reads a user registration list 24 stored in a storage part 23, extracts information related to the user, and returns it to the terminal device 1 as the list. The terminal device 1 stores the list of the information related to the user into a storage part 13 as the user list 14. When inputting the information for specifying the user included in time of an image forming request, the user list 14 is read, and the user is list-displayed on an operation part 15. A user easily inputs the information for specifying the user by performing selection therefrom. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system for forming an image in accordance with an image forming request.

  In general, in an image forming system, an image forming request is sent from a terminal device to a communication device, and an image is formed by an image forming unit in the communication device or an image forming device provided separately. In such an image forming system, the communication device or the image forming device is shared by one or more users. However, the method of use differs depending on the user, and the function to be executed by the image forming system also differs.

  In the conventional image forming system, each user sets a function to be executed one by one and transmits it as an image forming request. However, it is troublesome for each user to make settings each time. Therefore, a configuration is used in which a user ID for identifying each user is registered in association with a function to be executed, and the corresponding function is executed by designating the user when making an image formation request. Has been.

  For example, Patent Document 1 also describes a technique for registering a user and a function to be executed. However, in the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1 or the like, when making an image formation request, the user must input information identifying the user such as a user ID. Usually, it is the communication device that registers the correspondence between the user and the function to be executed, and the user designation is performed by the terminal device. Therefore, the contents registered in the communication device must be stored and input by the terminal device. Don't be. In particular, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the user ID is used to authenticate the user, it is necessary for the user to input the user ID in a state where no reference can be made.

  It was complicated and complicated for a user to input such a user ID. Therefore, there is a demand for an apparatus that can input information for specifying a user, such as a user ID, more simply.

JP 2002-215346 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and a terminal device that can more easily input information for specifying a user, and a list of users for realizing the function of such a terminal device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device that can transmit in response to a request.

  According to the present invention, in a communication device that receives an image formation request, a communication unit that communicates with a terminal device, a storage unit that stores a user registration list that defines a function to be used for each user, and a communication unit It has a control means for receiving an image formation request and executing a function corresponding to the user in accordance with the user registration list and transmitting a list of users in the user registration list when the user list request is received. In the user registration list, a function corresponding to an unspecified user can be set, and when the user is not specified at the time of image formation request, the control means can specify an unspecified user in the user registration list. It can be configured to execute a function corresponding to.

  According to the present invention, in a terminal device that sends an image formation request to a communication device, a communication unit that communicates with the communication device, and an image formation that transmits the image formation request to the communication device via the communication unit The image forming control unit makes a user list request to the communication device via the communication unit, receives a list of users registered in the communication device, and receives the user list as a user. In addition, the information of the selected user is included in the image formation request and transmitted. The received user list may be stored in the storage means, and when the user selects a user, the user list stored in the storage means may be presented.

  According to the present invention, when inputting information for identifying a user in a terminal device, the user registered as a user registration list in the communication device is presented to the user, and the user is identified by selecting from the user. Information can be entered. Therefore, there is an effect that the user can more easily input information for specifying the user.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a terminal device, 2 is a communication device, 3 is a communication path, 11 is a communication unit, 12 is an image formation control unit, 13 is a storage unit, 14 is a user list, 15 is an operation unit, 21 is a communication unit, Reference numeral 22 denotes a control unit, 23 denotes a storage unit, and 24 denotes a user registration list. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, a terminal device 1 that issues an image formation request and a communication device 2 that receives the image formation request are connected to be communicable via a communication path 3. The communication path 3 may be, for example, a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or may use a communication unit using an existing interface such as RS232C, IEEE1284, IEEE1394, or USB. Of course, it may be wired or wireless including light.

  The terminal device 1 can be configured to include a communication unit 11, an image formation control unit 12, a storage unit 13, and the like. For example, a general computer can be used. The communication unit 11 communicates with at least the communication device 2 through the communication path 3.

  The image formation control unit 12 transmits an image formation request to the communication device 2 via the communication unit 11. At this time, the information specifying the user can be transmitted. The information for specifying the user is used to execute a function registered in association with the communication apparatus 2 as described later. In the present invention, in order to simplify the input of information specifying the user, the image formation control unit 12 makes a user list request to the communication device 2 via the communication unit, and the user registered in the communication device 2 is requested. Receive a list. Here, the received user list is stored in the storage unit 13 as the user list 14. When the user inputs information for identifying a user, the user list 14 is read from the storage unit 13 and displayed in a list on the operation unit 15 so that the user can select, for example, information for identifying the user is selected. receive. The image formation control unit 12 can also be configured by software called a printer driver, for example.

  The storage unit 13 stores information that needs to be stored in the terminal device 1. The user list received from the communication device 2 by the image formation control unit 12 can also be stored as the user list 14.

  The operation unit 15 includes display means for presenting information to the user of the terminal device 1 and input means for the user to give an instruction to the terminal device 1. For example, when information specifying a user is input, a list of users is displayed by the image formation control unit 12, and the user can give an instruction to select a user from the list.

  The communication device 2 receives an image formation request from one or more terminal devices 1 as described above. For example, if an image forming unit (not shown) is provided in the own device, the communication device 2 displays an image requested by the image forming unit. Form. In this case, the communication device 2 functions as an image forming device. If an image forming unit is provided separately, the image forming unit is managed, and an image forming request or information appropriately processing the image forming request is sent to the image forming unit to form an image. In this case, the communication device 2 functions as a so-called printer server. Any configuration may be used in the present invention.

  In this example, the communication device 2 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The communication unit 21 communicates with at least the terminal device 1 through the communication path 3.

  The control unit 22 receives an image formation request sent from the terminal device 1 via the communication unit 21, and performs processing for image formation. At this time, if the information for specifying the user is included in the image formation request, registration is performed corresponding to the information for specifying the sent user according to the user registration list 24 described later, including the image formation processing. Execute the function that is being performed. Note that when the information for specifying the user is not included at the time of the image formation request or the information indicating the unspecified user is included, the function for the unspecified user is registered in the user registration list 24. If so, the registered function is executed.

  When the control unit 22 receives a user list request from the terminal device 1 via the communication unit 21, the control unit 22 extracts information about the user such as a user name and a password from a user registration list stored in the storage unit 23 described later. It transmits to the terminal device 1 as a list of users.

  The storage unit 23 stores information necessary for the communication device 2. Here, a user registration list 24 that defines functions to be used for each user is stored. In the user registration list 24, functions corresponding to unspecified users can be set in addition to registration for each user.

  Next, an example of an operation in an example of an image forming system including the terminal device 1 and the communication device 2 of the present invention will be described. First, the user registration list 24 is registered in advance with the communication apparatus 2. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the user registration list. As described above, the user registration list 24 is associated with a function to be executed for each user. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the user registration list 24 includes a user name that identifies a user, a password, and a function to be executed. For example, when there is an image formation request for user A, it is registered that an image is formed according to the request, and then the image data at that time is erased and described in the user log. The same applies to other users. The guest user indicates an unspecified user, and a function to be executed when information specifying the user is not notified or when the guest user is specified is defined. Unlike other users, it is possible to prescribe acceptance rejection as a function to be executed for guest users. This guest user registration is optional.

  Note that the registration information of the user registration list is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2, and other various information can be registered. Conversely, for example, if a password is not required, it is not necessary to configure password information to be registered. Further, for example, the user name may be any information as long as it is information that can identify the user, such as a user ID. The information to be registered for the function to be executed is arbitrary.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of communication between the terminal device 1 and the communication device 2. The terminal device 1 can make a user list request to the communication device 2 in (1) at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is, for example, when setting up the communication device 2 in the terminal device 1, when a user of the terminal device 1 instructs or when an image formation request is made, or when an appropriate time interval or event occurs. It can be.

  Upon receiving the user list request, the communication device 2 reads the user registration list 24 stored in the storage unit 23, extracts information about the user, for example, the user name and password information in the example shown in FIG. In 2), the request is transmitted to the requesting terminal device 1 as a list of users.

  The terminal device 1 that has received the user list from the communication device 2 stores the received user list in the storage unit 13 as the user list 14. When inputting information for specifying a user, the user list 14 stored in the storage unit 13 is read out, for example, displayed as a list and selected by the user so that information for specifying the user is input. To do. The selection input of the information specifying the user can be performed following the process of transmitting the user list request and receiving the user list, or can be performed separately after receiving the user list. Alternatively, it can be performed when an image formation is requested.

  In (3), when an image formation request is made from the terminal device 1 to the communication device 2, it is performed including information for specifying the user that is selected and input. Of course, it is also possible to make an image formation request without including information for specifying the user, and in this case, it may be handled that an unspecified user is designated in the communication device 2.

  The outline of the above operation will be further described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for acquiring a user list in the terminal device 1. Here, an example of processing in the terminal device 1 from when the user list request (1) in FIG. 3 is transmitted to when the user list is received and information for specifying the user is selected and input is shown. For example, when an instruction from the user is given or the acquisition process of the user list 14 is started at a predetermined timing, in S41, the communication device 2 from which the user list is acquired is searched, and the communication device 2 Check that the connection is possible. In S42, it is determined whether or not the communication device 2 has been detected. If the communication device 2 has not been detected, the user or the administrator is notified that the communication device 2 has not been detected in S43, and the process ends. .

  If it is confirmed in S42 that the communication device 2 has been detected, a process of acquiring a user list is performed in S44. In this process, as described with reference to FIG. 3 above, a user list request is transmitted to the communication device 2, a list of users sent from the communication device 2 is received, and stored in the storage unit 13 as the user list 14. Let FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the user list 14 stored in the storage unit 13 of the terminal device 1. For example, when the user registration list 24 illustrated in FIG. 2 is stored in the storage unit 23 of the communication device 2, a list illustrated in FIG. 5 is acquired as the user list 14 and stored in the storage unit 13. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, a list of user names and passwords is sent from the communication device 2. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this example, and various types of information including information for identifying the user may be received, and only a part of the information received corresponding to each user is stored in the storage unit 13 as the user list 14. Also good.

  When the user list 14 is received and stored in the storage unit 13, in this example, information for specifying the user is selected and input in S45. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display for performing selection input of information specifying a user. For example, the display as shown in FIG. 6 is performed on the display means of the operation unit 15, and the user inputs the user name. At this time, a list of user names stored as the user list 14 can be displayed by designating the lower triangular portion (a) provided on the right side of the user name input field. A display example of the list is shown in FIG. The user can input the user name simply by selecting from the user names displayed in the list. At this time, since the user names are displayed in a list, even if the user does not accurately store the user name registered in the communication device 2, the user can simply input the correct user name simply by selecting it. Can do. Of course, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the user name may be directly input in the user name column.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, a password field is further provided, and a password corresponding to the user name input (selected) in the user name field is directly input in this field. As a result, the user names are displayed in a list, but their use can be limited to some extent. Of course, if no password is provided, input from this field or this field itself is not necessary.

  In S46, it is determined whether (selection) input of information for specifying a user has been performed. If (selection) input of information for specifying a user has been performed, information for specifying the input user is This is registered as information for specifying a user to be used normally, and this processing is completed. Thereafter, when making an image formation request, unless the information for specifying the user is changed, the information for specifying the user registered in S47 is included in the image formation request and sent to the communication apparatus 2. Of course, if the user changes the user name column in the same display as in FIG. 6 at the time of image formation request, information for specifying the changed user is included in the image formation request. Also at the time of this change, as shown in FIG. 6B, the user name can be selected and input from the list display.

  In the display example shown in FIG. 6, a user list update button b is provided. By operating this button, the user can start the processing shown in FIG. For example, when it is desired to update the user list 14 to the latest one, the user list update button b may be operated.

  In addition to the user updating the user list 14 as described above, for example, the processing shown in FIG. 4 can be periodically executed, or can be executed every time or at a certain interval immediately before an image formation request is made. Alternatively, when the user registration list 24 is updated in the communication device 2, the communication device 2 notifies the terminal device 1 of the update of the user registration list 24, and the terminal device 1 shows the above-described FIG. The user list 14 may be updated by executing the process. With such an update process, the user list 14 stored in the storage unit of the terminal device 1 can be maintained in the latest state.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when the communication apparatus 2 receives a user list request. When a user list request is transmitted from the terminal device 1 in S44 of FIG. 4, the communication device 2 receives this and performs the processing shown in FIG. In S51, the user registration list 24 stored in the storage unit 23 is read, and in S52, information about the user is extracted from the read user registration list 24. In step S53, the communication unit 21 transmits a list of information about the extracted user to the requesting terminal device 1.

  In this way, when a user list request is received from the terminal device 1, information regarding users registered in the user registration list 24 can be returned as a list. The information extracted from the user registration list 24 as information about the user is arbitrary. For example, in the example of the user registration list 24 shown in FIG. 2, the user name or password is further extracted as information about the user and returned as a list. Can do. Of course, when other information is registered in the user registration list 24, such information may be selectively extracted.

  Through the processing of the terminal device 1 and the communication device 2 as described above, a list of information regarding users registered as the user registration list 24 in the communication device 2 is sent to the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 can input information for identifying the user by selecting the user in the list while referring to the list of users.

  Thereafter, the terminal device 1 can make an image formation request to the communication device 2. At this time, at the time of the processing or image formation request shown in FIG. 4, information specifying the user who is selected or directly input is included in the image formation request and sent to the communication apparatus 2. This process is the same as the process conventionally performed except that information for specifying the user is added.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image formation request reception process in the communication device 2. When receiving an image formation request from the terminal device 1, the communication device 2 executes an image formation request reception process as shown in FIG. In S61, it is determined whether or not the received image formation request includes information for specifying the user. If information specifying a user other than information indicating an unspecified user is included, in S62, the received image formation request is received and registered in, for example, an image formation job list. If there is a function to be executed before image formation as a function to be executed registered in the user registration list 24 corresponding to the information for specifying the user, it may be executed at this point. Of course, it may be executed when the image forming job is processed.

  If the received image formation request does not include information specifying a user or information indicating an unspecified user, the user registration is registered from the user registration list 24 corresponding to the guest user in S63. Reads information on the function to be executed. In S64, it is determined whether or not the function to be executed includes a rule for rejecting job acceptance. If the rule for rejecting job acceptance is not included, the received image formation request is accepted in S62 described above. If a rule for rejecting job acceptance is included, the acceptance of the image formation request is rejected in S65. In this case, for example, it may be configured to notify the terminal device 1 that the acceptance of the image formation request has been rejected.

  In FIG. 8, the process is performed separately only for the guest user, but it is also possible to make a determination regarding the provision of job acceptance refusal for other users and to perform the process uniformly. .

  The image forming requests registered in the image forming job list are sequentially formed by an internal or external image forming unit. Before and after that, the function according to the definition of the function to be executed registered in the user registration list 24 is executed corresponding to the information specifying the notified user.

  The terminal device 1 and / or the communication device 2 described above can be realized by a computer. In this case, the function of the terminal device 1 and / or the function of the communication device 2 can be configured by a program that can be executed by a computer. The program can be stored in a storage medium and read by a computer, or downloaded to a computer through a network and executed, thereby realizing the functions of the terminal device 1 and the communication device 2 as described above. .

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of a user registration list. It is explanatory drawing of the outline | summary of the communication between the terminal device 1 and the communication apparatus 2. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for acquiring a user list in the terminal device 1. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the user list 14 memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 13 of the terminal device 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the display for performing selection input of the information which specifies a user. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when a communication apparatus 2 receives a user list request. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image formation request reception process in the communication device 2;

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Terminal device, 2 ... Communication apparatus, 3 ... Communication path, 11 ... Communication part, 12 ... Image formation control part, 13 ... Memory | storage part, 14 ... User list, 15 ... Operation part, 21 ... Communication part, 22 ... Control , 23 ... storage unit, 24 ... user registration list.

Claims (4)

  A communication unit that communicates with the terminal device, a storage unit that stores a user registration list that defines a function to be used for each user, and receives an image formation request via the communication unit and responds to the user according to the user registration list A communication device comprising a control means for executing a function and transmitting a list of users in the user registration list when a user list request is received.   A function corresponding to an unspecified user can be set in the user registration list, and the control unit corresponds to an unspecified user in the user registration list when no user is specified at the time of image formation request. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus executes a function.   A communication unit configured to communicate with the communication device; and an image formation control unit configured to transmit an image formation request to the communication device via the communication unit. The image formation control unit includes the communication unit via the communication unit. A user list request is made to the communication device, a list of users registered in the communication device is received, the user list is presented to the user, and information on the selected user is included in the image formation request. A terminal device characterized by including and transmitting.   Further, the image forming control means includes a storage means for storing the user list received, and the image forming control means transmits the user list request at a predetermined timing, receives the user list, and stores the user list. 4. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the terminal device is stored in the means, and a list of users stored in the storage means is presented when the user selects a user.

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