JP2007208823A - Image forming device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and its system which can prevent the failure that occurs when a plurality of users treat documents stored in the image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: There is provided the image forming device capable of storing the documents as electronic data. The image forming device includes a plurality of user interfaces for exchanging information between users, a user interface controller 71 for controlling the plurality of the user interfaces, and a document management unit 85 for managing the management information on the documents to provide the management information based on a request from the user interface controller 71. The document management unit 85 can prevent the failure by managing operations for the documents and the management information of the documents in a lump sum. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that handle a plurality of stored documents.

  The conventional image forming apparatus can print the copied document as it is and output it, or print it out from the network. Further, when the image forming apparatus includes a storage area such as a hard disk, the document can be stored and stored as electronic data in the apparatus main body.

  For example, the image forming apparatus can store and save a document captured from a scanner as electronic data. When necessary, the user can print a document stored and stored as electronic data in the image forming apparatus, or can take it into a personal computer (PC) and edit it. When a document spans a plurality of pages, the electronic data of each page can be collected into a PC and managed as a document (accumulated document).

  In addition, in a printer as an example of an image forming apparatus, a document can be easily stored and stored in the main body of the apparatus if a designation is made to store, not print, when performing print output from a PC. The user can print and use documents stored and stored as electronic data in the device body at any time convenient for the user. Documents stored and stored as electronic data in the device main body can be deleted by printing once or can be selected by the user to be printed many times.

  Various management information can be added to the document stored in the device main body. For example, the management information includes a document name, document creator or document owner information, password, storage date and time, validity period, and an access control list (ACL) of users who can access the document.

  When a password is added to a document stored in the device body, the user needs to input the password when attempting to print the document. Therefore, it is not possible to print a document without knowing the password. Thus, the confidentiality of the document stored in the device main body can be maintained by adding a password.

  In addition, the user can perform various operations in addition to printing on the document stored in the apparatus main body. The user can delete the document stored in the device body when it is no longer needed, or can change the password attached to the document or delete the password so that anyone can print. Further, the user can change or delete the document name of the document stored in the device body later. If anyone can perform the above operations on a document stored in the device itself, it can be inconvenient, such as deleting the document without the knowledge of the user who really wants to use it. Users can also be limited.

  By the way, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of operation units (user interfaces) such as an operation panel of the apparatus main body and a Web service operated remotely from a PC. In an environment such as an office, there are generally a plurality of PCs that use printers, and there are as many user interfaces as the number of PCs that can operate printers using Web services.

  Accordingly, since there are a plurality of or a plurality of types of user interfaces in an environment such as an office, there are cases where a plurality of users try to perform document operations simultaneously on the respective user interfaces. The document operation mentioned here includes printing, password change, document name change, and the like.

  When a plurality of users try to operate a document at the same time using their respective user interfaces, various inconveniences can occur. For example, when the user A is inputting a password or selecting the number of copies for printing, if another user B simultaneously changes the password or deletes a document, the user A cannot print.

  For example, when printing a stored document stored in the image forming apparatus, the user views a list of document information displayed on the operation panel or the Web screen of the PC, and determines a document to be printed from the list of document information. And print. When a user who wants to perform printing performs a document operation from the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, another user can rewrite the document information from the user interface of the PC. In this case, the document information list displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus cannot reflect the contents of the document information rewritten from the user interface of the PC until the screen is updated. Accordingly, there is a case where there is no stored document to be printed even though the document information is displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus.

  In addition, when two users change the document name at the same time, only the change by one user is actually reflected in the management information of the stored document. The other user cannot know that the document name change made by himself / herself was not reflected in the management information of the stored document, and the user cannot find the stored document when operating the document later. Will occur.

  In the Web service, the management information of the stored document is renewed when the user updates the screen by himself / herself, but it is desirable to update in real time from the image forming apparatus side. As described above, the image forming apparatus requires a complicated mechanism such as exclusive control in order to avoid problems caused by a plurality of users operating stored documents simultaneously.

In Patent Literature 1, when operations based on remote authentication are unified and remote authentication is performed, local authentication is not permitted for conflicting operations, while operations based on local authentication are performed. In this case, an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a control program that provide control processing that does not permit remote authentication for competing operations are disclosed.
JP 2002-359718 A

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when performing authentication, the operation from the user interface is exclusively performed, and there is a problem that the operation cannot be exclusively performed for an operation not accompanied by authentication. Further, the conventional image forming apparatus restricts operations only in units of two user interface types, remote and local. Since the remote operation may be performed by a plurality of users, it is not sufficient for the conventional image forming apparatus to restrict the operation only in units of two types of user interfaces, remote and local.

  In addition, when rejecting an operation request from the user interface, the conventional image forming apparatus displays only that there is another user on the user interface, and thus cannot provide user information indicating who is actually performing the operation. . Therefore, when a user who tries to operate the image forming apparatus later urgently wants to give another user the right to perform the operation, there is a problem that it is difficult to identify other users with the conventional image forming apparatus. It was.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of preventing problems when a plurality of users handle documents stored in an image forming apparatus. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of storing a document as electronic data, a plurality of user interfaces for exchanging information with a user, and a user who controls the plurality of user interfaces. An interface control unit; and a document management unit that manages management information of the document and provides the management information based on a request from the user interface control unit. The document management information is collectively managed.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus capable of storing a document as electronic data; and one or more information processing apparatuses connected to the image forming apparatus via a network. The forming apparatus includes a plurality of user interfaces for exchanging information between a user who operates the information processing apparatus and a user who operates the device main body, a user interface control unit that controls the plurality of user interfaces, and the document A document management unit that manages the management information of the document and provides the management information based on a request from the user interface control unit. It is characterized by management.

  In addition, what applied the component, expression, or arbitrary combination of the component of this invention to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, a data structure, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can prevent problems when a plurality of users handle documents stored in the image forming apparatus.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on the following embodiments with reference to the drawings. However, unless specifically stated, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples, not the main point of limiting the scope of the present invention. Absent.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a network print system according to the present invention. 1 includes a plurality of client PCs (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 10a to 10d, a printer 11a as an example of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording sheet by a predetermined image forming process, and a multifunction peripheral. 11b and the host PC 12 are connected via a LAN as an example of a network. In addition, when referring to any one of PC, it describes as PC10. Further, when referring to either the printer 11a or the multifunction machine 11b, it is described as the printer 11.

  The PC 10 transmits print data to the printer 11 to perform processing such as printing, storage, or writing. The printer 11 includes an operation panel that is an interface with the user that allows the user to visually check the operation of the printer 11 and information of the printer 11. Further, the printer 11 has a report printing function for printing the information of the printer 11 on a sheet and outputting it so that the user can visually confirm the information of the printer 11. The printer 11 also has a Web service function that is an interface with a user that allows the PC 10 to visually check the operation of the printer 11 and information of the printer 11 via a Web browser.

  Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. Here, a multi-function machine 11b as an example of an image forming apparatus will be described as an example. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing a functional configuration of the multifunction machine according to the present invention. The multi-function device 11b shown in FIG. 2 includes a software group 20, an engine 22, a network controller 23, and hardware resources 24.

  The software group 20 includes an application 30 such as a printer, a copy, and a fax, and a common platform 31 that processes the requests of the applications 30 in common. The common platform 31 receives a processing request from the application 30 and acquires a hardware resource such as the engine 22 and manages a plurality of hardware resources, and acquires a request from the control service group. A system resource manager (SRM) 61 that arbitrates the general-purpose OS 62 and a general-purpose OS 62.

  The control service group is composed of a plurality of modules. Specifically, the control service included in the common platform 31 includes ECS 51, MCS 52, OCS 53, FCS 54, NCS 55, UCS 56, CCS 57, and SCS 58. Further, the multifunction machine 11b has an API (Application Program Interface) that realizes the processing request of the application 30 in the common platform 31. The general-purpose OS 62 is a general-purpose operating system, and processes and implements each software of the common platform 31 and the application 30 in parallel.

  The SRM 61, together with the SCS 58, controls the system and manages hardware resources. The SRM 61 performs arbitration in accordance with a request from an upper layer that uses hardware resources, and performs execution control.

  An engine control service (ECS) 51 performs engine control of hardware resources such as a plotter, a scanner, and a facsimile. The memory control service (MCS) 52 manages image memory, and acquires and releases image memory, uses a hard disk drive (HDD), and compresses and decompresses image data.

  An operation panel control service (OCS) 53 controls an operation panel which is an interface part with the user. The OCS 53 acquires a key press on the operation panel and notifies each application 30 of the key press. Further, the OCS 53 provides each application 30 with drawing output of various screens, LED lighting, and operation functions of the operation panel on the operation display unit of the operation panel.

  A fax control service (FCS) 54 performs command / data transfer control with a fax control unit (FCU) (not shown), and is an API for performing facsimile transmission / reception, facsimile data registration / quotation, facsimile reading, and the like. Is provided to each application 30.

  The network control service (NCS) 55 performs various network protocol control. The NCS 55 distributes data received from the network side to each application 30 and mediates when data is transmitted from the application 30 to the network side.

  A user information control service (UCS) 56 performs unified management of user information in the common platform 31. The UCS 56 controls usage restrictions on data access for the purpose of preventing unauthorized data access.

  An authentication / charging control service (CCS) 57 performs authentication / charging control. The CCS 57 issues function restriction information accompanied by authentication by user login to cope with security enhancement. In addition, the CCS 57 generates a screen for requesting authentication from the user. Further, the CCS 57 provides each application 30 with information as to which billing device should be charged when executing a certain function.

  A system control service (SCS) 58 controls an operation panel such as application management such as switching of the application 30, arbitration of hardware resources, and system screen display.

  The application 30 includes a printer application 41, a copy application 42, a FAX application 43, a scanner application 44, and a net file application 45. The printer application 41 implements a printer function. The copy application 42 implements a copy function. The FAX application 43 realizes a facsimile function. The scanner application 44 implements a scanner function. The net file application 45 realizes a net file function.

  In the block diagram of FIG. 2, the application 30 that realizes a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, a net file function, and the like is separately provided, but the application 30 that realizes each function is shared by the functions. Even if one exists, you may have the some application 30 which cooperates.

  Next, the configuration of the application 30 according to the present invention will be described. Here, the printer application 41 as an example of the application 30 will be described as an example. However, the application 30 may be applied to another application 30 such as the copy application 42 or all the applications 30. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a printer application according to the present invention. The printer application 41 shown in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of modules.

  The printer application 41 in FIG. 3 includes a user interface control unit 71, an application function control unit 72, and a common platform interface unit 73. The user interface control unit 71 controls the user interface. The application function control unit 72 controls the activation and maintenance of the printer, and realizes a printing function and other functions that increase the added value of the printer. The common platform interface unit 73 realizes an interface with the common platform 31 that manages hardware resources.

  Here, the user interface control unit 71 and the application function control unit 72 will be further described. The user interface control unit 71 includes an operation panel control unit 81 and a web service control unit 82. The operation panel control unit 81 controls an operation panel which is a user interface that provides information to the user or receives a user request. The web service control unit 82 controls a web screen that is a user interface that provides information to a user or receives a user request.

  The application function control unit 72 includes a request reception unit 83, an access user management unit 84, and a document management unit 85. The document management unit 85 manages management information and document operations of stored documents stored in the device main body. The document management unit 85 receives a request from the operation panel control unit 81 or the web service control unit 82 of the user interface control unit 71 and performs processing. The request receiving unit 83 receives an exchange between the user interface control unit 71 and the document management unit 85. A configuration in which the user interface control unit 71 and the document management unit 85 are directly exchanged and the request reception unit 83 is not disposed is also possible. Details of the document management unit 85 will be described later.

  The access user management unit 84 manages users who are logged in to the multifunction machine 11b or who are trying to perform operations such as printing and device settings. The access user management unit 84 is connected to the UCS 56 that performs unified management of user information in the common platform 31 of FIG. The access user management unit 84 refers to user information registered in the address book. Then, the access user management unit 84 assigns an ID to the user who is currently operating the multifunction machine 11b and manages it.

  The document management unit 85 holds a user ID list being operated for each document (accumulated document). When displaying the operating user information on the operation panel of the multifunction machine 11b, the document management unit 85 makes an inquiry to the access user management unit 84 based on the operating user ID list held for each document, and the user Get information. Then, the document management unit 85 provides the acquired user information to the operation panel control unit 81. The access user management unit 84 manages user information during the operation of the multifunction machine 11b, and holds and manages operation contents and browsing contents for each user.

  Further, when the document is changed, the document management unit 85 makes an inquiry to the access user management unit 84 and acquires user information of all users who are browsing the document. Then, based on the acquired user information, the document management unit 85 specifies the user interface that is browsing the document and notifies that the document has been updated.

  Next, management information of documents to be managed in the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an example of management information attached to a document. Management information such as a document ID, a document name, a creator, a password, a creation date and time, a validity period, and the number of pages is attached to the document. Some of the management information is displayed on a user interface such as an operation panel of the multifunction machine 11b. The user refers to a part of the management information displayed on the user interface and performs document operations such as printing and deletion.

  FIG. 5 is an image diagram of an example of a document list screen displayed on the operation panel. The document list screen is generated using a part of the management information. Operations that can be performed on a document include changes in management information such as browsing, printing, deletion, password change, and document name change.

  When the user authentication management function is provided, the multi-function peripheral 11b can give a document operation authority for each user type, and can manage whether the document can be printed or not depending on the user type.

  For example, a document manager can view, print, delete, change a password, and change a document name for all documents. On the other hand, a general user can perform all operations only on a document created by the general user. A general user can only browse a document created by another user.

  As described above, since the multifunction peripheral 11b needs to hold the specification of the use authority for each user type so that the document operation authority for each user type can be given, the specification of the use authority is stored in the document management unit 85. Keep it.

  FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the document management unit. The document management unit 85 in FIG. 6 includes a control unit 91, a document management information storage unit 92, and a document operation authority specification storage unit 93 by user type. The document management information storage unit 92 stores document management information. Further, the user type document operation authority specification storage unit 93 stores the specification of use authority for each user type. The control unit 91 performs the above-described processing using the document management information and the specification of usage authority for each user type. The document may be held in another module that is managed separately.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing data exchange among the operation panel control unit, the Web service control unit, and the document management unit. Based on FIG. 7, the responsibilities of each module of the printer application 41 will be clarified.

  The operation panel and Web service accept user requests. In other words, the operation panel and Web service accept operation requests for documents such as printing and deletion. The user interface control unit 71 requests this operation request from the document management unit 85. At this time, information passed from the user interface control unit 71 to the document management unit 85 is information (document ID or the like) for specifying the document that is the target of the operation request and operation details (printing, deletion, or the like).

  In response to an operation request from the user interface control unit 71, the document management unit 85 executes document operation and changes document management information. Since a document operation for actually printing or deleting a document requires utilization of hardware resources or the like, the processing is further delegated to another module.

  In this case, the document management unit 85 distributes the modules that perform each process in order to perform a process corresponding to the document operation. At this time, when user authentication management is performed by the multi-function peripheral 11b, the document management unit 85 determines, for each document, whether or not the requesting user can operate the target document. Only when it is determined that the document operation is possible, the document management unit 85 can execute the document operation of the document and update the management information of the document.

  Therefore, the document management unit 85 compares the user information of the user who performs the document operation of the document with the held document operation authority for each user type, and determines whether the document operation of the target document is possible. Do. Of course, the document management unit 85 may delegate the processing to another module that manages the currently logged-in user.

  Further, when the document is updated, the document management unit 85 notifies the user interfaces of all users who are viewing the document that the document has been updated.

  Further, the document management unit 85 holds a state of whether or not the document is being operated by the user. As a method of maintaining this state, a method of having a management structure for each document and having a control flag therein can be considered. When the document management unit 85 receives an operation request (printing, deleting, etc.) for a document from the user interface control unit 71, the document management unit 85 looks at the management structure corresponding to the document and determines whether the document is being operated by the user. Only when the operation is not being performed, the document operation is performed on the document and the document is changed. If the document is already being operated by another user, the document management unit 85 returns an operation disabled message to the user interface control unit 71. However, it is possible to browse the document even if another user is performing document operations such as printing.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing exchange between each module of the user interface control unit and the application function control unit. However, the sequence diagram of FIG. 8 shows the flow of main exchanges, and does not limit the provisions such as function calls, asynchronous event processing, and function return. The sequence diagram of FIG. 8 is an example in which a document list screen of documents stored in the multifunction peripheral 11b is displayed on the user interface, and then the document is deleted by the user's document operation.

  In step S1, the user interface control unit 71 makes a document browsing request to the document management unit 85. The document browsing request from the user interface control unit 71 is transmitted to each module of the application function control unit 72 via the request reception unit 83. The document browsing request includes information (such as a user ID) for specifying the requesting user.

  In step S2, the document management unit 85 performs a document browsing authority check. Specifically, the document management unit 85 determines whether the user who has requested the document browsing can browse the document. The determination of whether or not browsing is possible includes determination of whether or not document browsing itself can be performed in the first place, and determination of whether or not the user can browse each document. For example, the document manager can view all documents. Moreover, the general user can browse only the document which he created. This condition is an example, and a more detailed user type can be defined to define a document browsing range for each user type.

  In step S <b> 3, the request reception unit 83 registers the browsing that is the user operation content in the access user management unit 84. In step S4, the document management unit 85 provides management information to the user interface control unit 71 only for documents that can be browsed by the user.

  The management information includes various items such as a document name and a creator. The document management unit 85 determines whether each item can be browsed by the user. For example, the document management unit 85 can determine whether the author name related to the personal information among the items included in the management information is not displayed, or the document name is not displayed for the confidential information. These management information items that are not displayed are provided to the user interface control unit 71 after being replaced with different character strings such as asterisks in the document management unit 85.

  The user interface control unit 71 displays a document list screen on an operation panel or the like using the document management information provided from the document management unit 85. At this time, if there is an item of management information that has been replaced with a different character string such as an asterisk by the document management unit 85, the user interface control unit 71 uses the management information that has been replaced with a different character string to display the document list screen. Is displayed on the operation panel. Information indicating whether or not the user can perform document operations such as printing and deletion can be added to the management information provided from the document management unit 85 to the user interface control unit 71.

  The user interface control unit 71 may visually indicate to the user that the document operation cannot be performed, for example, the display key is set to a half-luminance display based on information on whether or not the user can perform document operations such as printing and deletion. it can.

  After step S5, a sequence for deleting a document is continued. When the user selects a document from the document list screen and then presses the delete button, the user interface control unit 71 proceeds to step S5 and makes a document deletion request to the document management unit 85.

  In step S6, the document management unit 85 performs a document operation authority check. Specifically, the document management unit 85 determines whether or not the user who made the document deletion request can delete the document. Whether or not deletion is possible can define a document deletion range for each user type as in the case of browsing.

  If a password is added to the document to be deleted, the document management unit 85 proceeds to step S7 and requests the user interface control unit 71 to input the password. The user interface control unit 71 displays a password input screen on the operation panel or the like and accepts a password input from the user.

  When the password is input on the password input screen, the user interface control unit 71 proceeds to step S8 and notifies the document management unit 85 of the input password. In step S9, the document management unit 85 performs a consistency check between the input password and the password added to the document to be deleted.

  If the passwords are matched, the document management unit 85 proceeds to step S10 and notifies the user interface control unit 71 of a document deletion start notification. Then, the document management unit 85 starts deletion processing of the document to be deleted. If the password is incorrect, the document management unit 85 prompts the user to re-enter the password, and if the input error is repeated a predetermined number of times, the document management unit 85 performs processing such as locking the document and making it impossible to operate. When the deletion process of the document to be deleted is completed, the document management unit 85 proceeds to step S12, and notifies the user interface control unit 71 of a document deletion end notification.

  When the deletion process for the document to be deleted is completed, the document management unit 85 also deletes the management information of the deleted document. That is, since the document list screen is also changed, the document management unit 85 needs to notify the user interface control unit 71 displaying the document list screen that the document list screen has been updated.

  In step S13, the document management unit 85 requests the user information of the user displaying the document list screen from the access user management unit 84 in order to specify all user interfaces displaying the document list screen. To do. In step S 14, the document management unit 85 acquires user information of the user displaying the document list screen from the access user management unit 84.

  In step S15, the document management unit 85 sends a document information update notification to the user interface control unit 71 of the user who is displaying the document list screen to notify that the document list screen has been updated.

  In step S16, the user interface control unit 71 makes a document browsing request to the document management unit 85 again. In step S17, the document management unit 85 performs a document browsing authority check. When a document browsing request is made again, it is not necessary to check all document browsing authorities.

  This mechanism provides the user interface control unit 71 with an ID such as a handle indicating that browsing is possible if successful when the first document browsing request is made. Can be requested. However, the document browsing authority check for each document is necessary every time because the management information is updated.

  In step S18, the document management unit 85 provides management information to the user interface control unit 71 only for documents that can be browsed by the user. The user interface control unit 71 displays a document list screen on an operation panel or the like using the document management information provided from the document management unit 85.

  Finally, when the user exits from the document list screen, the user interface control unit 71 proceeds to step S19, and notifies the document management unit 85 of a document browsing end notification to that effect. Since the browsing is completed, the request receiving unit 83 proceeds to step S20, changes the browsing that is the user operation content registered in the access user management unit 84, and ends the process of the sequence diagram of FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the document management unit when a document browsing request is generated from the user interface control unit. Here, the process of requesting authentication from a user who has not logged in will be omitted. Although not described in the flowchart of FIG. 9, information on whether or not the browsing user can perform document operations such as printing and deletion is added to the document list screen provided to the user interface control unit 71 and passed. It is also possible. In that case, the user interface control unit 71 can also output by changing the display format according to the user's authority to operate the document.

  In step S31, the control unit 91 of the document management unit 85 is on standby. In step S 32, the control unit 91 receives a document browsing request from the user interface control unit 71. In step S33, the control unit 91 determines whether browsing has been registered in the access user management unit 84 as the operation content of the user who has requested the document browsing.

  In the first document browsing request, it is determined that browsing has not been registered, and the process proceeds to step S34, where the control unit 91 determines whether or not to perform user authentication. If it is determined that user authentication is to be performed, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S35, and confirms the document browsing authority for each user type stored in the document operation authority specification storage unit 93 for each user type.

  In step S36, the control unit 91 determines whether or not the user who has requested the document browsing can browse the document based on the document browsing authority for each user type. If the user can browse the document, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S37, and confirms the document viewing authority for all documents based on the management information stored in the document management information storage unit 92.

  In step S38, the control unit 91 creates a document ID list of documents that can be browsed by the user. In step S39, the control unit 91 determines whether the number of documents that can be browsed by the user is greater than zero. If the number of documents that can be browsed by the user is greater than 0, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S40, and creates a management information list of documents that can be browsed by the user based on the document ID list of documents that can be browsed by the user. The control unit 91 masks items of management information that are not displayed.

  In step S41, the control unit 91 provides the user interface control unit 71 with a management information list of documents that can be browsed by the user, and ends the process. In step S33, it is determined that browsing has been registered in the document browsing request at the time of update, and the process proceeds to step S37. If it is determined in step S34 that user authentication is not performed, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S37.

  In step S36, if the user cannot view the document, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S43, notifies the user interface control unit 71 that the document cannot be operated, and ends the process. If the number of documents viewable by the user is not greater than 0 in step S39, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S42, notifies the user interface control unit 71 that there is no document viewable by the user, and ends the process. To do.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the document management unit when a document operation request is generated from the user interface control unit. Here, a flowchart for one document is described as an example, but the same applies to a case where there are a plurality of documents.

  If a password is added to the operation target document, the control unit 91 requests the user interface control unit 71 to input the password. When the result of the consistency check between the input password and the password added to the document to be deleted indicates that the password does not match, the control unit 91 causes the password to be input again, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, if the input error is repeated more than the specified number of times, a process such as not re-entering the password may be added.

  Further, when an input error is repeated a predetermined number of times or more, processing such as locking the document and making it impossible to operate is performed. From when the document is locked to when the document is unlocked, it is not accepted even if another user requests a document operation. When a document operation request is made for a locked document, the control unit 91 obtains user information of the user who is performing the document operation from the access user management unit 84, and uses the user information for the document operation. It is also possible to notify a user who cannot accept a request.

  In step S51, the control unit 91 of the document management unit 85 is on standby. In step S 52, the control unit 91 receives a document operation request from the user interface control unit 71. Then, it progresses to step S53 and the control part 91 determines whether user authentication is performed. If it is determined that the user authentication is to be performed, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S54, and confirms the document operation authority for each user type stored in the document operation authority specification storage unit 93 for each user type. In step S55, the control unit 91 determines whether the user who has requested the document operation can operate the document based on the document operation authority for each user type.

  If the user can operate the document, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S56 and confirms the state of the document that is the target of the document operation (whether or not it is being operated). Proceeding to step S57, if the state of the document that is the object of the document operation is not in operation, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S58 and locks the document that is the object of the document operation.

  In step S59, the control unit 91 determines whether a password is added to the document that is the target of the document operation. If no password is added to the document that is the target of the document operation, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S60, and executes the document operation on the document that is the target of the document operation.

  In step S61, the control unit 91 determines whether or not the document management information has been changed. If the management information of the document has been changed, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S66 to notify the user interface control unit 71 of the user displaying the document list screen of the document information update, and the document list screen has been updated. Notify that. In step S62, the control unit 91 unlocks the document that is the target of the document operation, and ends the process.

  If the document management information has not been changed in step S61, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S62. If a password is added to the document that is the object of the document operation in step S59, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S63 and requests the user interface control unit 71 to input the password. In step S64, the user interface control unit 71 displays a password input screen on the operation panel or the like and accepts input of a password from the user.

  When the password is input on the password input screen, the user interface control unit 71 notifies the control unit 91 of the document management unit 85 of the input password. In step S65, the control unit 91 performs a consistency check between the input password and the password added to the document that is the target of the document operation. If the passwords are matched, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S60. If the password is wrong, the control unit 91 returns to step S63 and prompts for re-input of the password.

  If the state of the document that is the target of the document operation is being operated in step S57, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S67, and notifies the user interface control unit 71 that the document that is the target of the document operation cannot be operated. Notify and end processing. If it is determined in step S55 that the user cannot operate the document, the control unit 91 proceeds to step S68, notifies the user interface control unit 71 that the document cannot be operated, and ends the process.

(Summary)
In the present invention, because the document management unit 85 collectively manages document management information stored in its own apparatus and performs processing related to document browsing and operation (printing, deletion, etc.) in a lump, The software structure is clarified by eliminating the complexity of the software configuration. In the present invention, it is possible to reliably eliminate a difference when the document list screen is displayed on a plurality of user interfaces.

  In the processing performed collectively by the document management unit 85, the management information to be displayed on the user interface is provided, it is determined whether the document is viewable by the user, or the user may refer to each piece of document management information. Such as performing a batch determination, determining whether a password input is required for document operation, performing a password consistency check, and the like.

  Further, in the present invention, in addition to management information displayed on the user interface, document operation information that a user can perform on a document is provided, thereby changing the display format of operation keys such as a print key and a delete key on the user interface. be able to. Therefore, the user does not press a key that cannot be operated (such as a print key), the user does not perform a useless operation, and the image forming apparatus can reduce unnecessary processing. In the present invention, it is also possible to omit an operation authority check every time a document operation is performed.

  Further, in the present invention, when there are a plurality of operation units (user interfaces) such as Web services operated remotely from the operation panel of the apparatus main body or a PC, when one user changes or operates the management information of the document In addition, by prohibiting operations by other users, a plurality of users cannot simultaneously operate the document. As a result, when a user is entering a password or selecting the number of copies for printing, the document cannot be printed because another user has operated the document at the same time, the password has been changed, or the document itself has been deleted. Can be eliminated.

  In addition, in the present invention, when two users change the document name at the same time, only one of them is actually reflected, and the other user does not know it, and the document operation is performed later. Inconveniences such as document not being found can be solved.

  Further, in the present invention, when a plurality of users perform document operations on a document at the same time, one user occupies the document operation, so that even if another user who cannot perform the document operation, Since the information of the user who currently occupies the document is known, it is possible to know the reason why the document cannot be operated, and it is possible to contact the user who is operating the document. Therefore, the user's work can be performed smoothly. In addition, since displaying other user's information is related to personal information, this function can be disabled.

  Further, in the present invention, the update of the document list screen stored in the device main body is not regularly updated at regular time intervals, but is always updated whenever the management information is changed. The latest information is always displayed on the list screen. As a result, when a user who wants to print is performing a document operation from the operation panel of the device main body, even if another user rewrites the management information from the PC with the operation unit on the Web screen, the user can view it. This does not appear on the screen of the operating panel (unless the screen is updated), and the fact that there is no document when printing is actually performed despite the documents existing on the operating panel is also resolved. In addition, when two users change the document name at the same time, only one of them is actually reflected, and the other user does not know it, and when manipulating the document later Inconveniences such as missing documents are eliminated.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, the present invention can be applied to an information device that manages and holds resources commonly used by a plurality of users, has a plurality of user interfaces for displaying and operating information, and the resources are operated simultaneously.

It is a block diagram of one Example of the network printing system by this invention. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing a functional configuration of a multifunction machine according to the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram of one Example of the printer application by this invention. It is a block diagram of an example of the management information attached to a document. It is an image figure of an example of the document list screen displayed on an operation panel. It is a block diagram of one Example of a document management part. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating data exchange between an operation panel control unit, a Web service control unit, and a document management unit. It is a sequence diagram which shows the exchange between each module of a user interface control part and an application function control part. It is a flowchart of an example which shows operation | movement of the document management part when the document browsing request | requirement generate | occur | produces from the user interface control part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a document management unit when a document operation request is generated from a user interface control unit.

Explanation of symbols

1 Network Print System 10a-10d Client PC
11a Printer 11b Multifunction machine 12 Host PC
20 Software group 21 Engine I / F
22 Engine 23 Network Controller 24 Hardware Resource 30 Application 31 Common Platform 32 API
41 Printer application 42 Copy application 43 FAX application 44 Scanner application 45 Net file application 51 ECS
52 MCS
53 OCS
54 FCS
55 NCS
56 UCS
57 OCS
58 SCS
61 SRM
62 General-purpose OS
71 User Interface Control Unit 72 Application Function Control Unit 73 Common Platform Interface Unit 81 Operation Panel Control Unit 82 Web Service Control Unit 83 Request Acceptance Unit 84 Access User Management Unit 85 Document Management Unit 91 Control Unit 92 Document Management Information Storage Unit 93 User Type Separate document operation authority specification storage

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus capable of storing a document as electronic data,
Multiple user interfaces for exchanging information with users;
A user interface control unit for controlling a plurality of the user interfaces;
A document management unit that manages management information of the document and provides the management information based on a request from the user interface control unit;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the document management unit collectively manages operations on the document and management information on the document. The document management unit includes a document management information storage unit for storing management information of the document;
A document operation authority specification storage unit by user type for storing operation authority specifications for the document by user type;
A control unit for performing various controls,
The control unit reads operation authority for the document of the user who is operating the user interface from the document operation authority specification storage unit by user type, and management information of the document for which the user has operation authority The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document information is read from a management information storage unit and the management information of the document is provided to the user interface control unit.   The control unit determines, for each item constituting the management information of the document, whether or not the user has an operation authority, and controls the items of the management information to which the user has an operation authority. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided to the image forming apparatus.   The user interface control unit displays a request unit displayed on the user interface for requesting the user to perform an operation on the document by changing a display format in accordance with the operation authority of the user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   The control unit does not provide management information of the document in which the creator of the document is recorded as the item to the user interface control unit when the user cannot be specified. The image forming apparatus described.   The control unit determines, according to management information of the document, whether or not a password is required for an operation on the document, and if a password is required for an operation on the document, the user interface 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when there is a request for an operation on the document from the control unit, the user interface control unit is requested to input a password. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus capable of storing a document as electronic data; and one or more information processing apparatuses connected to the image forming apparatus via a network,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A plurality of user interfaces for exchanging information between a user operating the information processing apparatus and a user operating the device main body;
A user interface control unit for controlling a plurality of the user interfaces;
A document management unit that manages management information of the document and provides the management information based on a request from the user interface control unit;
The image management system, wherein the document management unit collectively manages operations on the document and management information of the document.   8. The document management unit according to claim 7, wherein the document management unit prohibits an operation on the document from another user interface while processing an operation request for the document from one user interface. Image forming system. The image forming apparatus further includes an access user management unit that manages information on the user who is operating the user interface and operations on the document of the user.
When the document management unit prohibits an operation on the document from another user interface, the document read from the access user management unit with respect to the user interface operated by a user who is prohibited from operating the document The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein the user information is provided to the user interface control unit so as to display information on the user who is performing an operation on the user interface.   When the document management unit prohibits an operation on the document from another user interface, the document read from the access user management unit with respect to the user interface operated by a user who is prohibited from operating the document The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein a setting not to display information of the user who is performing an operation on the image is possible.   When the document management information is displayed on a plurality of user interfaces, the document management unit changes the document management information by processing an operation request for the document from one user interface. Then, based on the user information managed by the access management unit and the user's operation on the document, the document management information displayed on the plurality of user interfaces is controlled by the user interface control. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the image forming system is updated.

Images