JP2008015949A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor requring no repeated complicated user authentication to improve usability. <P>SOLUTION: When the other user's job is selected in a job operation such as deleting and altering a job supplied from the other user different from a user who logs in, a log-in screen for the other user is displayed to select job operation. At this time, the previous logged in user logs out, and job operation is carried out after authentication of the other user. After the job operation, the previous logged in user automatically logs in again to recover the log-in state of the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus having a function for performing user authentication.

  In recent years, image processing apparatuses that perform user authentication are increasing for security improvement. When performing user authentication, when logging in to the image processing apparatus, for example, a user ID and a password as authentication information are input, and the user is permitted to log in when the authentication information matches the pre-registered authentication information.

  When an image processing job such as a print request is input from an external device such as a PC (personal computer), the user ID and authentication information can be input and input. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 discloses a technique that uses an e-mail in order to delete or change a job on the image forming apparatus side after a job is input by specifying a user ID and authentication information.

  For example, if a job to be deleted is executed, resources such as recording paper may be wasted, so the deletion process needs to be performed promptly. As in the technique of Patent Document 1, the mobile terminal In some cases, it is preferable to operate from the image processing apparatus from the viewpoint of quickness rather than using.

  However, since it is not preferable that anyone can delete a job that has been specified by specifying authentication information as described above, the job processing is performed through the above user authentication to the image processing apparatus. You need to login. Here, when another user logs in to the image processing apparatus and is working, in order for the user who wants to delete the job to perform the deletion process, the other user who has logged in once logs out, The user who deletes must log in again.

JP 2005-222213 A

  As described above, when a user who deletes a job logs in after logging out of the user who is working, there is a case where the job cannot be quickly deleted due to the trouble of logout. In addition, the user who is working needs to log in again after another user deletes the job and logs out, and the user authentication is complicated again.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus that does not require complicated re-execution of user authentication and can improve usability.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a job designation receiving unit that receives designation of any one of input jobs, and a job operation acceptance unit that receives designation of an operation for the designated job. A user authentication input accepting unit that accepts a user authentication input when user authentication is required to execute the specified job operation, and a user authentication input that accepts the user authentication input and allows the user to log in. It is characterized by comprising logout means for executing logout processing of a user and automatic re-login means for recovering a state in which the other user has logged in after the job operation is completed.

  In the configuration of the present invention, after the job operation is completed, the state in which another user has logged in is recovered, so that it is not necessary to perform complicated user authentication re-execution, thereby improving the usability of the user.

  When the logout process is executed by the logout unit, the image processing apparatus includes a user information saving unit that saves information of another user who has been logged in after authentication, and the automatic re-login unit includes: Thus, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the logged-in state of the other user is recovered using the information of the other user saved.

  An automatic logout means for performing logout processing of the user who executed the job operation after the job operation is completed may be provided. Here, a job operation that requires user authentication can be either a job deletion or a job change. Examples of job changes include a mode change, a job priority change, and a print condition change.

  According to the image processing apparatus and the like according to the present invention, there is no need for complicated re-execution of user authentication, and it is possible to improve usability.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
(1) Configuration of Print System FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a print system according to the present embodiment. The print system is configured by connecting an MFP (multifunction peripheral) 100 and a PC (personal computer) 31 via a LAN (local area network) 500.

  A printer driver is installed in the PC 31 and instructs the MFP 100 to print. MFP 100 is an example of an image forming apparatus instructed to print. The MFP 100 is an image forming apparatus that integrates functions such as copying, network printing, scanner, FAX, or document server. Sometimes called a multifunction device.

  The LAN 500 is an example of a connection form between a PC and an image forming apparatus, and may be wired or wireless. Note that the number of PCs and image forming apparatuses connected to the LAN 500 is arbitrary.

(2) Configuration of MFP 100 FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of MFP 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the MFP 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 100 includes an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a scanner unit 13, a printer unit 14, a communication interface 16, a document feeder 17, a paper feeding device 18, a CPU 20, a ROM 21, a RAM 22, and a hard disk 23. Composed.

  The operation unit 11 includes a plurality of keys and buttons for inputting numbers and the like, a sensor for recognizing a pressed key and button, a transmission circuit for transmitting a signal indicating the recognized key and button to the CPU 20, and the like. The The display unit 12 displays a screen for displaying a message to the user, a screen for the user to input setting contents and processing contents, and the like. In the present embodiment, a touch panel is used for the display unit 12, which is included in the operation unit 11. The touch panel has a function of detecting the position on the touch panel touched by the user with a finger and transmitting a signal indicating the detection result to the CPU 20.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the operation unit 11 and the display unit 12. The operation unit 11 includes a start button 301, a numeric keypad 302, a clear key 303, a stop button 304, a panel reset button 305, a copy button 306, a scan button 307, a FAX button 308, and an authentication button 309.

  The start button 301 is used when starting operations such as copying and FAX transmission. The numeric keypad 302 is used when inputting numerical values such as the number of copies. A clear key 303 is used for clearing an input numerical value. A stop button 304 is used when instructing to stop copying, scanning, and the like. The panel reset button 305 is used when canceling the set operation mode and returning the display on the display unit 12 to the initial screen.

  A copy button 306, a scan button 307, and a FAX button 308 are selection buttons for setting whether to operate the MFP 100 in a copy, scan, or fax operation mode. When the copy button 306 is pressed, the MFP 100 can be used as a copying machine.

  When the scan button 307 is pressed, the MFP 100 can be used as a scanner. When the FAX button 308 is pressed, the MFP 100 can be used as a FAX transmitter. Note that when any one of the copy button 306, the scan button 307, and the FAX button 308 is selected, the other buttons are automatically unselected.

  When the authentication button 309 is pressed, a screen for inputting a user ID for user authentication and a password as authentication information is displayed on the display unit 12. If the user ID and password entered by the user match those registered in advance, login to MFP 100 is permitted.

  In the present embodiment, a submitted job list display area 121 is provided on the left side of the display unit 12. In the submitted job list display area, a list of jobs submitted in the MFP 100 and jobs submitted from an external device such as the PC 31 are displayed. The submitted job list display area 121 displays the number assigned to the job, the user ID of the user who submitted the job, and the job status. The job that has been executed is deleted from the input job display area 121.

  The user can select a job displayed in a list in order to delete or change the input job (for example, change of the set number of copies, paper size, etc.). Details of the process when selected will be described in detail later.

  2 and 3, the scanner unit 13 reads the image drawn on the document by irradiating the document with light and detecting the reflected light, and reads digital image data (in this case, RGB or black). Density data representing density) is generated. The image data obtained in this way is used for printing in the printer unit 14 and is converted into a file in a format such as TIFF, PDF, JPEG, etc., and stored in the hard disk 23. It may be converted into FAX data and used for FAX transmission. The document feeder 17 is provided on the upper part of the main body of the MFP 100 and is used to sequentially send one or more originals to the scanner unit 13.

  The printer unit 14 prints an image read by the scanner unit 13, an image of data transmitted from an external device such as a PC 31 connected via a network such as the LAN 500, or an image of FAX data received by FAX. Or print on a recording sheet such as film. The paper feeding device 18 is provided in the lower part of the MFP 100 main body, and is used to supply a recording sheet suitable for an image to be printed to the printer unit 14. The recording sheet on which the image is printed by the printer unit 14 is discharged to the tray 19 (see FIG. 3).

  The communication interface 16 is a device for communicating with an external device such as a PC via a network or performing FAX transmission / reception via a telephone line. As the communication interface 16, a NIC (network interface card), a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), or the like is used.

  The ROM 21 stores programs and data for realizing basic functions of the MFP 100 such as image reading (scanning), document copying (copying), FAX data transmission / reception, network printing, and a document server (box function). ing. In addition, programs and data for realizing the functions of the present embodiment are stored.

  Some or all of these programs or data may be installed in the hard disk 23. In this case, the program or data installed in the hard disk 23 is loaded into the RAM 22 as necessary. The functions described in the present embodiment may be realized not only by the CPU 20 but also by using dedicated hardware such as a DSP (digital signal processor) or ASIC (specific application IC). Further, it may be realized by using a function of a general-purpose program such as an operating system (OS).

(3) Processing Contents of MFP 100 Hereinafter, details of processing contents of the MFP 100 when an input job is selected in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing contents of MFP 100.

  If any of the jobs displayed in the input job list display area 121 is selected (S101: YES), it is determined whether user authentication is set (S102). The presence / absence of the user authentication setting here is determined by whether or not a user ID and a password are set for the job.

  When there is no user authentication setting (S102: NO), it is possible to delete or change the selected job without performing user authentication, so if there is an input within a certain time (S103: NO), A display prompting the user to specify deletion or change is performed (S104), and job deletion / change processing is executed according to the selection (S105). Here, the job change may be, for example, a change from the monochrome mode to the color mode (mode change), a change in job priority setting, a change in print conditions such as paper size, number of copies, or the like.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a display prompting deletion and selection of a job in this case. In the example in the figure, the job with the job number 004 is selected. Since the user with the job number 004 has no setting such as the user ID, the user authentication is performed even when the job is deleted or changed. It is unnecessary. Accordingly, an area 122 for prompting selection of job deletion / change is displayed to prompt selection of deletion / change. The user can delete or change a job by selecting and pressing either “delete” or “change”.

  If there is no input for a certain period of time in step S103 (S103: YES), the process is terminated as it is. As a result, the displayed jobs are sequentially executed as they are. At this time, the job selection may be canceled.

  If user authentication has been set in step S102 (S102: YES), it is determined whether a user other than the user of the selected job is logged in (S106). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display unit 12 in this case. As shown in FIG. 4, when “User A” is logged in and the job with the job number 004 submitted from “User C” is selected (S106: YES), the user information of “User A” Is saved in the RAM 22 (S107).

  Then, the logout process of “User A” is automatically performed (S108), and the login screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed (S109). When the password of “User C” is input on this screen and the “login” button is pressed, a selection screen for deletion or change is displayed, and user C can select deletion or change.

  If no other user is logged in (S106: NO), the process proceeds to step S109, and the login screen of FIG. 7 is displayed. If there is no input for a certain time (S110: YES), the process proceeds to step S115. If there is an input within a certain time (S110: NO), the deletion / change process is executed (S112) according to the selection of deletion / change (S111).

  After the deletion / change process, it is determined whether or not automatic re-login is set (S113). The automatic re-login in this embodiment means that the user has logged in before attempting to delete or change the job, and the user who has logged out once with the login of another user who deletes the job, etc., deletes or changes the job. This means that you automatically log in again after you finish.

  If it is set to perform automatic re-login (S113: YES), logout processing of the user who deleted the job is performed (S114), and it is determined whether user information is stored (S115). The user information is information saved in the RAM 22 in step S107. If the user information has been saved, the user re-login process is executed using the user information (S116). As a result of the automatic re-login, the state before the user who logs in or deletes the job is restored.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a user ID and a password are input, and deletion or change is designated when logging in. However, as shown in FIG. It is possible to configure to log in while designating. Note that the logout process (including user information saving process) of the user who has logged in before selecting the job (including user information save process) is selected after deletion or change (in the example of FIG. It can also be executed after S111.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing contents of MFP 100 in the present embodiment. Since the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the display method on the display unit 12, the following description focuses on the different points.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, when any of the jobs displayed in the submitted job list display area 121 is selected, a screen that prompts the user to select job deletion or change is displayed. (S209 in FIG. 9).

  When either delete or change job operation is selected, the login screen of the user who performs the job operation is displayed (S210), and if there is an input within a certain time (S211: NO), delete or change The process is executed (S212). The subsequent processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, and automatic re-login processing of the user who has logged in before performing the job operation is executed. The processing from step S206 to S208 is the same as that in the first embodiment in that it may be executed after the login processing of the user who performs the job operation is normally completed.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing contents of MFP 100 in the present embodiment. Since the display method on the display unit 12 is also different from that of the first embodiment, the third embodiment will be described below focusing on the different points.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, a screen for designating a job operation (deletion or change of job) is displayed in the area where the submitted job list is displayed in the first and second embodiments. A job operation selection area 124 to be displayed is provided.

  When one of the job operations is selected (S301 in FIG. 11: YES), the presence / absence of user authentication setting is determined (S302). If user authentication is not set, the job list screen is displayed. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the form of the job list displayed here.

  In the job list display area 125 of FIG. 12, it is possible to select a job to be deleted or changed, and according to the selection (S305), delete / change processing is executed (S306).

  If user authentication is set in step S302, a login screen is displayed after processing similar to that in the first embodiment (S307 to S309) (S310). FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form in which a login screen and a job list area are displayed.

  When there is an input within a certain time (S311: NO), job selection from the job list (S312) and deletion or change processing are executed (S313). The subsequent processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, and automatic re-login processing of the user who has logged in before performing the job operation is executed. The processing from step S307 to S309 may be executed after the login processing of the user who performs the job operation is normally completed, as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the job list is displayed after the login of the user in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, only the job in which the user ID of the logged-in user is set is displayed. It is preferable. In this case, the job type (print, scan, copy, FAX transmission, etc.) can be displayed instead of the user ID.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for describing an example of the processing content of MFP 100 in the present embodiment. Since the fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in the display method on the display unit 12, the following description will focus on the different points.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, when a job operation (deletion or change of job) is designated in the job operation selection area 124 similar to that in the third embodiment, first, a job is selected. Display the list screen.

  If any one of the jobs is selected (S411 in FIG. 15), a login screen is displayed (S412). FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a form in which a login screen and a job list area are displayed in the present embodiment.

  Subsequent processing is the same as that of the third embodiment, and automatic re-login processing of the user who has logged in before performing the job operation is executed. The processing from step S407 to S409 may be executed after the login processing of the user who performs the job operation is normally completed.

(Modification)
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the content of the present invention is not limited to the specific examples described in the embodiment, and for example, the following modifications may be implemented. it can.

  (1) In each of the above embodiments, each window such as a login screen and a job list display when a job or job operation is selected is newly displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. The message display area 126 may be configured to display a message, and the area 127 may be configured to display a job list or a login screen.

  (2) Only the password may be input on the login screen for user authentication. The authentication information is not limited to a password, and may be configured to be read from biometric authentication information such as a fingerprint or a vein, a card, a barcode, a background pattern, an IC tag, a USB memory, or the like. A combination of the various types of authentication information is also possible.

  The present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus such as an MFP.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an MFP 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in MFP 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an operation unit 11 and a display unit 12. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing an example of processing content of MFP 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display prompting deletion and selection of a job in the first embodiment. In 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows an example of the display of the display part 12 in case user authentication setting is made. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the display part 12 in the case of logging in, specifying deletion or a change. 14 is a flowchart for describing an example of processing content of MFP 100 according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display of 2nd Embodiment. 14 is a flowchart for describing an example of processing contents of MFP 100 according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display of 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form in which a login screen and a job list area are displayed in the third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where only jobs in which a user ID of a logged-in user is set are displayed in the third embodiment. 14 is a flowchart for describing an example of processing content of MFP 100 according to the fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display in the modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Operation part 12 Display part 13 Scanner part 14 Printer part 16 Communication interface 17 Document feeder 18 Paper feeder 19 Tray 20 CPU
21 ROM
22 RAM
23 Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
100 MFP
500 network (LAN)

Claims (4)

Job designation accepting means for accepting designation of any of the submitted jobs;
Job operation accepting means for accepting an operation designation for a designated job;
User authentication input receiving means for receiving user authentication input when user authentication is required to execute the specified job operation;
Logout means for accepting user authentication input and executing logout processing of the other user when the user is permitted to log in;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an automatic re-login unit that recovers a state in which the other user has logged in after the job operation is completed. The image processing apparatus includes:
When logout processing is executed by the logout means, it comprises user information saving means for saving information of other users who have been logged in through authentication so far,
The automatic re-login means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the logged-in state of the other user is recovered using the saved information of the other user. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic logout unit that performs logout processing of a user who has executed the job operation after the job operation is completed. Job operations that require user authentication
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is one of job deletion and job change.

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