JP2007259278A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of users can register and store setting values of a desired function by customizing them, respectively and when the users temporarily log in the apparatus, these setting values can be expanded in the apparatus as valid setting values. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises a setting storage means 6 by users which registers a setting value required for executing a function correspondingly to user identification information and a password for each preset user account, and a control means 1 which displays a user log-in screen in response to user operation, further, reads a setting value of the accepted user from the setting storage means 6 by users after log-in based on the user identification information and the password is accepted, and executes a user account execution mode with the read setting value as a valid setting value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in an image forming apparatus having a user account setting function and capable of registering a setting value necessary for executing the function for each set user account.

  Recently, various image forming apparatuses such as facsimile machines can execute copy functions, aggregate copy functions, facsimile transmission / reception functions, confidential transmission / reception functions, etc., which are necessary for the execution of each function at the time of factory shipment. The set value is registered and stored in advance as a default set value (Patent Document 1).

  For example, setting values necessary for executing the copy function include setting values such as image reading density and image reading image quality. When the copy mode is started, the setting values registered in advance are displayed on the screen. If the start key is operated, copying is executed with the set value.

In this type of image forming apparatus, if the set value is changed, a copy image desired by the user is formed. However, when the function is finished, the original default set value is restored, and it is desired to copy again with the same set value. In such a case, an operation for changing the set value is required, which is troublesome.
JP-A-11-24511

  In view of this, the conventional image forming apparatus described above is provided with a plurality of program keys that can register setting values for executing the copy function, thereby eliminating the trouble of changing the setting values.

  However, this type of conventional image forming apparatus can only register and save user-preferred setting values for only the copy function, and can be used as a dedicated key individually registered and saved by a plurality of users according to preference. Could not be used.

  The present invention has been proposed to solve such a problem, and a plurality of users can customize each of them to register and save desired function setting values. Once logged in to the apparatus, these setting values are effective. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be developed as a set value in the apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a user account setting function, wherein setting values necessary for executing the function for each user account set in advance are set as user identification information and password. The user-specific setting storage means to be registered and the user login screen is displayed according to the user's operation, and after accepting the login by inputting the user identification information and password, the received user setting value is displayed. And a control unit that reads from the user-specific setting storage unit and executes the user account execution mode as an effective setting value.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the control means validates the user account execution mode for a predetermined time after accepting the login, and accepts a new job before the predetermined time elapses, the control means further increases the predetermined time. The user account execution mode is maintained in a valid state.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a default setting storage means for registering and saving a setting value set in advance for execution of the non-user account mode, and the control means allows the user to When the user account setting change mode is selected, the setting value corresponding to the selected user is read from the user-specific setting storage means and can be updated and registered. When a reset command is issued, the non-user account mode is executed. A setting value set in advance is read from the default setting storage unit, and is developed as a default setting value for the user in the storage setting unit for each user.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the calling party number is registered in association with the shortened code as a setting value necessary for executing the function for each user account set in advance.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the user login is accepted, the user account execution mode is executed with the setting value of the function registered and stored corresponding to the user as the effective setting value. While setting, it is possible to develop a set value of a favorite function for each user with a simple operation on the apparatus.

  According to the second aspect, after the login is accepted and the user account execution mode is started, the user account execution mode is made valid every time a new job is received on condition that a predetermined time elapses. Therefore, since the user account execution mode is resumed, the troublesome operation of re-login every time the job is completed is unnecessary. In addition, there is no need to log off.

  According to the third aspect, in the user account setting change mode, first, the setting value for each selected user is read and can be updated and registered, so that the setting value of an arbitrary function setting item can be updated as appropriate. It is.

  Also, if a reset command is issued, the default setting value is expanded in the user-specific setting storage means, which is convenient for re-registering the user-specific setting value.

  According to the fourth aspect, the calling number can be registered for each user in correspondence with the speed dial code, which is convenient.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Here, a facsimile apparatus is shown as an example of the document image reading apparatus of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a copy, a printer, a scanner, and their combined machines.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of a communication terminal device according to the present invention.

  A facsimile apparatus F, which is an example of a communication terminal apparatus, constitutes control means, a CPU 1 that controls the facsimile apparatus F, an NCU 2 that controls connection to a telephone line L, a modem 3 that modulates and demodulates various signals necessary for facsimile communication, RAM 4 for registering an administrator account (administrator identification information, password) in advance and developing a setting value for executing a function as an effective setting value, and various programs necessary for the operation of this facsimile apparatus F ROM 5 storing user and the like, a user-specific setting storage unit, a user-specific setting storage unit 6 for registering and saving setting values for each user, and a default setting storage unit are configured and set in advance for executing the non-user account mode. A default setting storage unit 7 in which the set values are registered, a scanner 8 that reads a document and generates image data, An image memory 9 for storing image data, a display unit 10 composed of a liquid crystal screen, an operation unit 11 composed of various operation keys, a codec 12 for encoding and decoding image data, and a recording paper for recording image data The printer 13 and the human body sensor 14 for printing are provided.

  The facsimile machine F executes the non-user account mode when it does not accept a user login. In the non-user account mode, the setting value of the function is read from the default setting storage unit 7, and is expanded as a valid setting value in the RAM 5 to execute the function.

  The user setting storage unit 6 includes a user account table 60 and a user setting value table 61. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user account table, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user-specific setting value table.

  The user account table 60 is configured so that user identification information 60B and password 60C can be sequentially registered and stored for each user name 60A. The user name 60A registers and saves the user's name here, but any information that can identify the user such as the name may be used.

  The user identification information 60B is registered and stored here as a user ID, but is not limited to this, and any information that can be distinguished from each other may be used.

  This user account table 60 is provided for executing the user account execution mode or the user-specific setting registration change mode. When the new user account registration mode is executed, the user name 60A, user identification information 60B, and password 60C are used. Can be registered sequentially.

  One or more user-specific setting value tables 61 are provided for each user name 60A registered and stored in the user account table 60. Each user-specific setting value table 61 includes a function during execution of the new user account registration mode. A setting value 61B can be registered for each setting item 61A.

  Here, the function setting item 61A includes an abbreviated dial abbreviated code, and the set value includes a calling party number. As a result, preferred speed dial information can be set for each user, which is convenient.

  Note that the setting values in the user-specific setting value table 61 are not limited to those shown in the figure, but also include setting values necessary for the aggregate copy function, facsimile transmission / reception function, confidential transmission / reception function, and the like.

  In the default setting storage unit 7, setting values to be used in the non-user account mode are registered and stored for every function item to be registered and stored in the user-specific setting value table 61.

  Next, the basic operation of the user account execution mode will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user login screen, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart (100 to 110) showing an example of the basic operation in the user account execution mode.

  When this facsimile apparatus F executes the non-user account mode and displays a standby screen, when a login button (not shown) is operated, the user account execution mode is started and the user login screen 80 is displayed. To do.

  In the user login screen 80, user identification information 60B is sequentially input in the user identification information input field 80A, password 60C is sequentially input in the password input field 80B, and the user is authenticated by operating the OK button 80C. If user authentication is possible, login is permitted after user authentication. On the other hand, if user authentication is not possible or if the cancel button 80D is operated, login is not permitted and the user account execution mode is terminated.

  When login is permitted, the user-specific setting value table 61 is referred to, and the setting value 61B registered and stored corresponding to the input user identification information 60B and password 60C is read out and expanded in the RAM 4. Then, each function setting item is executed with the setting value developed in the RAM 4 as an effective setting value.

  Thereafter, a timer (not shown) is started, and when a new job is received during a predetermined time, the job is executed while the user account execution mode is executed, and the timer is restarted. When a new job is not accepted within a predetermined time, the user account execution mode is terminated and the standby state of the non-user account mode is restored.

  Note that the user account execution mode may be held in a valid state while the human body sensor 14 detects the human body instead of the timer.

  Next, the basic operation of the user-specific setting registration change mode will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the basic operation of the user-specific setting registration change mode, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart (200 to 217) showing an example of the basic operation of the user-specific setting registration change mode.

  If the execution button of the user-specific setting registration change mode (not shown) is operated, the facsimile apparatus F displays a user-specific setting registration change screen 81 and displays a “new registration” button 81A, a “change” button 81B, and a “delete” button 81C. Prompt for selection operation.

  When the “new registration” button 81A is operated, a new user account registration mode is executed, and the user name 60A, user identification information 60B, and password 60C are registered in an empty block of the user account table 60, and new user-specific settings are made. A value table 61 is created.

  Thereafter, the set value is registered for each function setting item in the newly created user-specific set value table 61 by a predetermined operation.

  When the “change” button 81B is operated, the user account setting change mode is executed, the user account to be changed is selected, and the login is permitted.

  This login permission is performed, for example, by displaying the user login screen 80 shown in FIG. 4 and inputting user identification information and a password and collating them. When login permission cannot be made, the user account setting change mode is terminated.

  After the login permission, if there is a user-specific setting value table 61 corresponding to the selected user account, the user-specific setting value table 61 is read from the user-specific setting value table 61, expanded in the RAM 4, and displayed on the display unit 10.

  Then, it waits for the update of a setting value classified by user. If a user-specific setting value is input within a predetermined time, the user-specific setting value table 61 is rewritten. If a predetermined time setting value is not input, or if a predetermined end instruction operation is performed, the user account setting is performed. Exit the change mode and return to the non-user account execution mode standby state.

  On the other hand, when a reset command is received within a predetermined time after starting standby for updating the setting value for each user, a setting value (default) set in advance for executing the non-user account mode from the default setting storage unit 7 All set values) are read out and developed in the determined set value table for each user.

  Then, it waits for the update of a setting value. If a user-specific setting value is input within a predetermined time, the user-specific setting value table 61 is rewritten. If a predetermined time setting value is not input, or if a predetermined end instruction operation is performed, the user account setting is performed. Exit the change mode and return to the non-user account execution mode standby state.

  When no operation command is received within a predetermined time after the start of the standby for the setting value for each user, the user account setting change mode is terminated and the non-user account execution mode is returned to the standby state.

  When the “delete” button 81C is operated, the user account to be deleted is selected, and for example, the user login screen 80 shown in FIG. Later, the user account corresponding to the selected user and the setting value for each user are deleted.

  Here, the user account setting change mode and the user account deletion process can be performed by an administrator in addition to a user who has registered a user account in advance.

  That is, the facsimile machine F displays the user login screen 80 when the administrator operates the “change” button 81B and the “delete” button 81C, and the administrator account (administrator identification information registered in the RAM 4 in advance). , Password), and when verification is completed, select an arbitrary user and change the setting value for each user (steps 201 to 211), or delete the user account of the user and the setting value for each user. (Steps 217 to 219).

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. A figure showing an example of composition of a user account table The figure which shows an example of a structure of the setting value table classified by user The figure which shows an example of a structure of a user login screen Flow chart showing an example of basic operation in user account execution mode Basic operation explanatory diagram of user setting registration change mode Flow chart for explaining the basic operation of the user-specific setting registration change mode

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
6 User-specific setting storage unit 60A User account 60B User identification information 60C Password 61 User-specific setting value table 7 Default setting storage unit

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus having a user account setting function,
User-specific setting storage means for registering setting values necessary for executing functions for each user account set in advance in association with user identification information and passwords;
In response to a user operation, a user login screen is displayed. Further, after accepting login by inputting the user identification information and the password, the received user setting value is read from the user-specific setting storage unit, An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for executing a user account execution mode as an effective setting value. In claim 1,
After accepting the login, the control means validates the user account execution mode only for a predetermined time, and when a new job is received before the predetermined time elapses, the user account is executed for a predetermined time. An image forming apparatus characterized in that a mode is maintained in an effective state. In claim 1 or 2,
It has a default setting storage means for registering and saving a setting value set in advance for execution of the non-user account mode,
When the user selects a user account setting change mode for a user account set in advance, the control means reads out the setting value corresponding to the selected user from the user-specific setting storage means, and can update and register,
Next, when a reset command is issued, a setting value set in advance for execution of the non-user account mode is read from the default setting storage means, and the default setting value for the user is read into the user-specific storage setting means. An image forming apparatus that is developed. In any one of Claims 1-3,
An image forming apparatus for registering a call destination number in association with a shortened code as a setting value necessary for executing a function for each user account set in advance.

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