JP2009020785A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing a document even when no storage medium or no terminal device storing the document is available. <P>SOLUTION: In this image forming apparatus 10, an authentication device 12 reads personal information such as an ID of a user stored in a storage medium such as an IC card. A control part 52 stores personal information including a storage location (a personal site) of the information and accesses the personal site based on the personal information about an individual authenticated by the authentication device 12 to display a list of information stored in the personal site and contents of the information on a display part 11. The control part 52 controls a printer 19 for printing the acquired information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a Web browser.

  In recent years, it has become possible to access an external network from an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral. Since such an image forming apparatus accesses a shared resource such as a server via a network, the user can browse and print a document stored in the server. For example, the following method can be used for printing in consideration of security related to a document stored in a remote place.

Patent Document 1 discloses a certificate issuing terminal device that can automatically issue various certificates from a remote location.
Patent Document 2 discloses a printer device having a security function without using a sorter.
Patent Document 3 discloses an image forming apparatus capable of printing conference materials stored in a server after a user is authenticated.

JP-A-4-40561 JP 2001-277650 A JP 2007-21777 A

  However, in the above method, since access is permitted to the shared resource, when the user refers to a document or the like that should not be stored in the shared resource, the document is printed in advance or the document is stored. In addition, it is necessary to carry out printing with an image forming apparatus on the go with a PC or the like. In such a case, carrying a printed document or PC leads to an increase in luggage, and the amount that can be carried is limited. In addition, personal information may be leaked when a PC or a small memory card is carried outside.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing a document even when there is no storage medium or terminal device in which the document is stored.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores personal information including a storage location of information, an authentication unit that authenticates an individual, and is stored by the storage unit. Display means for displaying the information stored in the storage location included in the personal information related to the individual authenticated by the above, and printing means for printing the information displayed by the display means. According to the present invention, even when there is no storage medium or terminal device in which the document is stored, the document can be printed.

  Preferably, the display means displays information stored in a storage location accessible via a network. According to the present invention, even when there is no storage medium or terminal device in which a document is stored, the document can be printed on the go.

  Preferably, the display means displays a message stored in a storage location. According to the present invention, even when there is no storage medium or terminal device storing a message, the message can be browsed.

  The image forming system according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores personal information including a storage location of information, a registration unit that registers information in a storage location included in the personal information stored by the storage unit, Authentication means for authenticating the information, display means for displaying the information stored by the registration means at a storage location included in personal information relating to the individual authenticated by the authentication means, and printing the information displayed by the display means Printing means. According to the present invention, even when there is no storage medium or terminal device in which the document is stored, the document can be printed.

  In addition, the program according to the present invention is stored in the authentication unit for authenticating an individual in the image forming system including a computer and a storage unit that stores personal information including a storage location of the information. And causing the computer to execute a display step of displaying information stored in a storage location included in the personal information related to the individual. According to the present invention, even when there is no storage medium or terminal device in which the document is stored, the document can be printed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a document can be printed even when there is no storage medium or terminal device in which the document is stored.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system of the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 and an information server 30 connected via a network 40 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction machine having a printing function, a copying function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a scanning function.

  The information server 30 functions as a Web server, for example, and is a server capable of transmitting and receiving data using ftp (File Transfer Protocol), http (HyperText Transfer Protocol), or the like. The information server 30 stores various types of files. Therefore, the information server 30 transmits / receives, registers, and deletes a stored file based on a request from a terminal device such as the image forming apparatus 10 or a personal computer (not shown).

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the appearance of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes a display device 11 for displaying a normal operation screen and advertisement information, an authentication device 12, a receiver 13, a charging device 14, and a paper tray 15. is doing.

  The authentication device 12 reads personal information such as a user ID stored in a storage medium such as a non-contact type or contact type IC card. The handset 13 is connected to a general public telephone line and can be used as a normal telephone. When the facsimile function of the image forming apparatus 10 is used, the receiver 13 is first used to connect to the telephone line, and after confirming the transmission destination, the facsimile data can be transmitted.

  The charging device 14 is a device for charging the usage fee of the image forming apparatus 10 to a user who is not authenticated. By inserting coins into the billing apparatus 14, the user can use the image forming apparatus 10 for a fee corresponding to the inserted coins. That is, by providing such a charging device 14, various functions of the image forming apparatus 10 can be used even for a user who does not have an authentication card.

  The paper tray 15 is a tray for setting a document to be copied, a document to be read by a scanner, and a document to be transmitted by facsimile.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an information server 30 via a CPU 16, a memory 17, a storage device 18 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a printing device 19 that prints on a recording medium such as paper, and a network 40. A communication interface (IF) 20 for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device, a user interface (UI) device 21 including a touch panel, operation buttons or display lamps, a scanner 22, a display device 11, a charging device 14, An authentication device 12 is included. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 23.

  The CPU 16 executes a predetermined process based on a control program stored in the memory 17 or the storage device 18 and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The information server 30 also has a hardware configuration that can operate as a computer that performs data communication via a network, such as the CPU 16, the memory 17, the storage device 18, and the communication IF 20.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 realized by executing the control program.
As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an information transmission / reception unit 51, a control unit 52, and a mail transmission unit 53.

  The controller 52 controls these components and inputs / outputs data to / from the components. More specifically, the control unit 52 displays image data for displaying a normal operation screen for operating the image forming apparatus 10 and a screen other than the normal operation screen by application software such as a Web browser. Image data is generated and displayed on the display device 11.

  In addition, the control unit 52 accesses the personal site (in this example, the information server 30) based on the personal information acquired by the authentication device 12, and displays a list of information stored in the personal site and its contents. It is displayed on the display device 11. Specifically, the control unit 52 obtains information from a storage location (URL) of personal information corresponding to the individual authenticated by the authentication device 12 as personal information stored in the storage device 18 or the like as will be described later. The information transmitting / receiving unit 51 is controlled so as to be acquired. Therefore, the display device 11 constitutes display means for displaying information stored in a storage location accessible via the network 40 and acquired as described above.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus 10 includes the storage device 18 in which personal information is stored is described. However, such a storage device is separately provided for managing personal information. It may also be provided in an external device such as a personal information management server (not shown). In this case, the control unit 52 acquires the storage location of the personal information from the external device based on the personal information acquired by the authentication device 12, and the information transmission / reception unit 51 so as to acquire the information from the storage location of the personal information. To control.

  The control unit 52 controls the printing device 19 to print the acquired information. Further, the control unit 52 receives user input via the UI device 21.

  The information transmission / reception unit 51 is controlled by the control unit 52 to access the information server 30, and receives and acquires information stored in the information server 30 from the information server 30. The information transmission / reception unit 51 transmits data for operating information stored in the information server 30 to the information server 30. For example, the information transmitting / receiving unit 51 transmits data for registering and deleting stored information.

  The mail transmission unit 53 receives information acquired from the information server 30 for the mail address included in the personal information corresponding to the individual authenticated by the authentication device 12 and stored in the storage device 18 or the like. Send an email containing

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing personal information stored in the image forming apparatus 10.
As shown in FIG. 5, the personal information includes a user name, a password, and a URL. Such personal information is stored in at least one of the storage device 18 and the memory 17 of the image forming apparatus 10. Here, the URL indicates the personal site of the user and corresponds to the information storage location.

  Therefore, the personal information is read by the authentication device 12 so that the image forming apparatus 10 can authenticate the user and access the personal site of the authenticated user. Note that the authentication process may be performed when the user inputs personal information (for example, a user name and a password) via the UI device 21.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing access processing (S10) to the personal site by the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, in step (S100), the control unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether the image forming apparatus 10 is set to the authentication mode or the non-authentication mode. The control unit 52 proceeds to the process of S102 when the image forming apparatus 10 is set to the authentication mode, and proceeds to the process of S110 when set to the non-authentication mode. Note that when the image forming apparatus 10 is made available by inserting coins into the charging apparatus 14, the control unit 52 may determine that the image forming apparatus 10 is in the non-authentication mode.

  In step 102 (S102), the authentication device 12 performs user authentication processing based on a storage medium such as an IC card. The authentication device 12 outputs the authentication result and personal information acquired from the storage medium to the control unit 52. Note that the authentication process may be executed by inputting a user name and a password.

  In step 104 (S104), the control unit 52 collates the acquired personal information with the stored personal information and determines whether or not the authentication is successful. When the authentication is successful, the control unit 52 proceeds to the process of S106, and otherwise returns to the process of S102.

  In step 106 (S106), the control unit 52 determines whether or not the personal site is registered in the stored personal information. The control unit 52 proceeds to the process of S108 when the personal site is registered, and proceeds to the process of S110 otherwise. The URL of the personal site may be acquired by accessing an external device such as a personal information management server (not shown) based on the acquired personal information.

  In step 108 (S108), the information transmitting / receiving unit 51 is controlled by the control unit 52 to access the acquired personal site (for example, the information server 30) and acquire data related to the content registered in the personal site. Then, the control unit 52 displays these contents on the display device 11. The content display screen will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, in step 110 (S110), the control unit 52 displays the standard content on the display device 11. The standard content may be content stored in advance in at least one of the memory 17 and the storage device 18 of the image forming apparatus 10, or acquired by the information transmitting / receiving unit 51 accessing a preset site. The content may be the same.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a user authentication screen displayed on the display device 11 and a content list display screen stored in the personal site.
FIG. 7A shows a user authentication screen. As shown in FIG. 7A, the user authentication screen requires input of a user name and a password. Therefore, when the user inputs the user name and password via the UI device 21, authentication processing is performed.

  FIG. 7B shows a list display screen of contents stored in the personal site. As shown in FIG. 7B, a list of contents stored in a personal site (in this example, a storage location of the user “Yamada-Taro”) is displayed on the contents list display screen. In this example, the document name (file name), registration date, and file size of each content are displayed. The user browses and prints the selected document by selecting any document with a cursor (not shown) and pressing a browse button, a print button, or the like. The file format of the content is not particularly limited and may be any format.

  When viewing of the document is instructed, the control unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives an input from the user and displays the selected document on the display device 11. Further, when printing of a document is instructed, the control unit 52 controls the printing device 19 to print the document.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a message list display screen and a message browsing screen displayed on the display device 11.
FIG. 8A shows a list display screen of messages displayed on the display device 11. As shown in FIG. 8A, on the message list display screen, a list of messages addressed to the user stored in the personal site is displayed. In this example, the registrant (sender) of each message, the registration date, and the presence / absence of a response request are displayed. The user browses the selected message by selecting one of the messages with a cursor (not shown) and pressing a browse button.

  Note that which of the document list display screen and the message list display screen is displayed after the authentication processing may be set in advance. First, a button for displaying each list screen may be displayed, and a specified list screen may be displayed by pressing this button.

  FIG. 8B shows a message browsing screen. As shown in FIG. 8B, a message from the registrant and a print button are displayed on the message browsing screen. When the answer request is set to “Yes”, an input unit for inputting an answer to the message and a send button for sending the answer are further displayed.

  In this example, a message “Please predict tomorrow's weather” and three options are displayed. In addition, for example, options such as tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon, tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon may be displayed for the message “What is the meeting time?”.

  When the print button is pressed on the message browsing screen, the control unit 52 controls the printing device 19 to print the message. When the send button is pressed, the answer input in the input unit is sent to the message registrant by e-mail. In this case, the sender of the answer is an authenticated user.

Next, different examples of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, when a user is authenticated, the image forming apparatus 10 accesses a site of a group to which the user belongs and displays information stored in the group site (storage location).

FIG. 9 shows a personal information and group information stored in the image forming apparatus 10 and a message list display screen displayed on the image forming apparatus 10 when the user is authenticated.
FIG. 9A shows personal information stored in the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 9A, the image forming apparatus 10 stores a user name, a password, and a group name to which the user belongs for each user. Therefore, when a user is authenticated, the group to which the user belongs is recognized. For example, the users “Yamada-Taro” and “Yamada-Hanako” belong to the same “ABCGroup”.

  FIG. 9B shows group information stored in the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 9B, the image forming apparatus 10 stores, for each group, a group name and a URL indicating the group site of the group. Therefore, when the group to which the user belongs is recognized, the URL of the group is uniquely determined, so that the image forming apparatus 10 can access the group site based on the authenticated user.

  FIG. 9C shows a list display screen of messages registered in the group site. As shown in FIG. 9C, on the message list display screen, a list of messages addressed to the group stored in the group site is displayed. Also on the group site, as with the individual site, the registrant of each message, the registration date, and the presence / absence of a response request are displayed. Therefore, users belonging to the group can select a message and view the message.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing different embodiments of the message browsing screen and the message list display screen in the group site.
FIG. 10A shows a message browsing screen. As shown in FIG. 10A, a message from the registrant and a print button are displayed on the message browsing screen. When the answer request is set to “Yes”, an input unit for inputting an answer to the message, an email sending button for sending the answer by email, and a Web registration button for registering the answer in the group site Is further displayed.

  FIG. 10B shows a message list display screen when the Web registration button is pressed for the message shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10B, when Web registration is selected on the message browsing screen, an answer is displayed on the message list screen. Here, the arrow displayed in the registrant column indicates that the message of the arrow is an answer to the message above it.

  Specifically, when Web registration is selected, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits data regarding answers to the information server 30, and the information server 30 registers the transmitted data as information in the storage location of the group. . In this way, the image forming apparatus 10 provides a registration unit for registering information in the group site to the user.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an enlarged view of the appearance of an image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 that is realized by executing a control program. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing personal information stored in the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing access processing (S10) to a personal site by the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the user authentication screen displayed on the display apparatus 11, and the list display screen of the content memorize | stored in the personal site. It is a figure which illustrates the message list display screen and message browsing screen which are displayed on the display apparatus. 7 shows a personal information and group information stored in the image forming apparatus 10 and a message list display screen displayed on the image forming apparatus 10 when a user is authenticated. It is a figure which shows the Example from which the message browsing screen and message list display screen in a group site differ.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing system 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Display apparatus 12 Authentication apparatus 16 CPU
17 Memory 18 Storage Device 19 Printing Device 20 Communication Interface (IF)
21 User interface (UI) device 30 Information server 40 Network 51 Information transmission / reception unit 52 Control unit 53 Mail transmission unit

Claims (5)

Storage means for storing personal information including a storage location of information;
An authentication means for authenticating an individual;
Display means for displaying information stored in a storage location stored in the storage means and included in personal information about the individual authenticated by the authentication means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints information displayed by the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays information stored in a storage location accessible via a network. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a message stored in a storage location. Storage means for storing personal information including a storage location of information;
Registration means for registering information in a storage location included in the personal information stored by the storage means;
An authentication means for authenticating an individual;
Display means for displaying information stored by the registration means in a storage location included in personal information related to the individual authenticated by the authentication means;
An image forming system comprising: a printing unit that prints information displayed by the display unit. In an image forming system including a computer and storage means for storing personal information including a storage location of information,
An authentication step to authenticate the individual;
A program for causing the computer to execute a display step of displaying information stored in a storage location stored in the storage unit and included in personal information relating to the authenticated individual.

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