JP2009042991A - Image processing apparatus and management system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to allow an image processing apparatus to be shared among many users, and to reduce manager's workload concerned with the user registration when user registration for managing the user of the image processing apparatus for each user is required. <P>SOLUTION: When personal information is received from a user and the user is not registered yet, a user registration part 16 newly registers the user in a user management part 15 as a temporarily registered user, and when a manager's registration instruction is received, the user registration part 16 updates the registered contents of the user management part 15 so as to change the temporarily registered user to a regularly registered user. When the personal information is acquired from the user and the personal information satisfies a prescribed regular registration condition, the user is registered in the user management part 15 as a regularly registered user, and when the personal information does not satisfy the regular registration condition, the user is registered in the user management part 15 as a temporarily registered user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that is shared among many users and requires user registration in order to manage the use of the image processing apparatus for each user, and an image processing apparatus management system.

  In recent years, when an image processing apparatus (for example, a scanner, a printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, etc.) is shared among a plurality of users, an image for each user is used for the purpose of efficiently using the image processing apparatus and reducing operation costs. A management system has been introduced that manages the usage status of processing devices and restricts the functions and number of faces that can be used for each user as needed.

  In this type of management system, it is necessary to accurately identify the user who uses the image processing apparatus in order to make the management effective. Conventionally, user authentication using a password or the like has been successfully performed. In such a case, a technique that permits use of an image processing apparatus is known (see Patent Document 1).

  However, in such a management system, an administrator must register management information related to passwords for each user and a function that permits use in advance, and there are many users or frequent user changes. However, there is a disadvantage that the work burden on the administrator for registration is heavy and the user cannot use the image processing apparatus until the registration work by the administrator is performed.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, for example, a technique is known in which user management information is acquired from another image processing apparatus connected via a network and user management is performed based on the user management information. (See Patent Document 2). Also, a technique is known in which, when user authentication is unsuccessful for an unregistered user, use is permitted in a state where usable functions are limited (see Patent Document 3). In addition, a technique is known in which a usage form (public user) that can use an apparatus without user authentication is set to permit use of a minimum function (see Patent Document 4). .
JP-A-11-95630 (FIGS. 6 and 9) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-98819 (FIG. 10) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-345860 (FIGS. 3 to 6) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-97024 (FIGS. 5 to 7)

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the administrator has to manually register a user who has not been registered in another image processing apparatus, so that he / she still imposes an appropriate work load on the administrator. There is a problem. In addition, in the techniques of Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4 described above, the image processing apparatus can be temporarily used without user registration, but an official user is required to fully use the functions of the image processing apparatus. Since registration must be performed, there is a problem that the work burden on the administrator cannot be reduced sufficiently.

  The present invention has been devised to solve such problems of the prior art, and its main purpose is an image configured to reduce the workload of an administrator regarding user registration. It is to provide a management system for a processing apparatus and an image processing apparatus.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to a user management unit that stores personal information for each user and information on a user type that indicates whether the user is a temporarily registered user or a regular registered user, and a user type of a user who intends to use the device. Control means for permitting the user to use his / her own device based on the use restriction condition, and acquiring personal information from the user and, if the user is not registered, newly registering the user management means as a temporary registration user And a user registration means for updating the registration contents of the user management means so that the temporary registration user is changed to a regular registration user when a registration instruction is received from the administrator.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes user management means for storing personal information for each user, information on a user type indicating a provisional registered user and a regular registered user, and a user type of a user who intends to use the own apparatus. Control means for permitting the user to use his / her own device based on the usage restriction condition according to the user, and when the personal information is acquired from the user and the personal information satisfies a predetermined regular registration condition, The user management means is registered as a user, and when the personal information does not satisfy regular registration conditions, the user management means is registered as a temporary registration user.

  The image processing apparatus management system according to the present invention is a user in which an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus for each user are connected to each other via a network, and each user shows personal information, a temporary registered user, and a regular registered user. A user management means for storing information relating to the type, a control means for permitting the user to use the image processing apparatus based on a use restriction condition corresponding to a user type of the user who intends to use the image processing apparatus, and a user If the user is not registered, the user management means is newly registered as a temporary registration user. When the administrator receives a registration instruction, the temporary registration user is changed to a regular registration user. As described above, the apparatus has a user registration means for updating the registration contents of the user management means.

  The image processing apparatus management system according to the present invention is configured such that an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus for each user are connected to each other via a network, so that personal information for each user, temporary registration user, and regular registration user can be distinguished. User management means for storing information regarding the user type to be indicated, and control means for permitting the user to use the image processing apparatus based on a use restriction condition corresponding to the user type of the user who intends to use the image processing apparatus. When personal information is acquired from the user and the personal information satisfies a predetermined regular registration condition, the user management means is registered as a regular registered user, and the personal information does not satisfy the regular registration condition. Includes a user registration unit that causes the user management unit to register as a temporarily registered user.

  According to the present invention, the image processing apparatus can be used as a temporarily registered user without undergoing user registration by an administrator, and in response to a registration instruction by the administrator or when a predetermined regular registration condition is satisfied. In this case, the image processing apparatus can be used as a regular registered user, and a great effect can be obtained in reducing the workload of the administrator regarding user registration.

  The first invention made to solve the above problems is to use user management means for storing personal information for each user and information about a user type indicating a provisional registered user and a regular registered user, and the own apparatus. Control means for permitting the user to use his / her own device based on the use restriction condition according to the user type of the user to perform, and acquiring personal information from the user, and the user as the temporary registration user when the user is unregistered A user registration unit that causes the user management unit to newly register and, upon receiving a registration instruction from the administrator, to update the registration contents of the user management unit so as to change the temporary registration user to a regular registration user; To do.

  According to this, since the image processing apparatus can be used as a temporary registration user without user registration by the administrator, it is possible to reduce the workload of the administrator regarding user registration, and by the administrator as appropriate. Since the temporarily registered user is changed to the regular registered user in response to the registration instruction, the functions of the image processing apparatus can be fully utilized, and the convenience for the user can be prevented from being lowered.

  The second invention made in order to solve the above problems is to use user management means for storing personal information for each user and information on a user type indicating a provisional registration user and a regular registration user, and the own apparatus. Control means for permitting the user to use his / her device based on the usage restriction conditions corresponding to the user type of the user to be acquired, and personal information is acquired from the user, and the personal information satisfies a predetermined regular registration condition Is configured to have user registration means for registering as a regular registration user in the user management means, and for registering the user management means as a temporary registration user if the personal information does not satisfy the regular registration conditions.

  According to this, the image processing apparatus can be used as a regular registration user when the predetermined regular registration condition is satisfied without user registration by the administrator, and even if the regular registration condition is not satisfied, the temporary registration user can be used. As a result, the image processing apparatus can be used, and the work burden on the administrator regarding user registration can be reduced.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus for each user are connected to each other via a network so that personal information for each user, temporary registered users, and regular registered users are registered. User management means for storing information relating to a user type indicating another, and control for permitting the user to use the image processing device based on a usage restriction condition according to the user type of the user who intends to use the image processing device Personal information is acquired from the user and the user, and when the user is not registered, the user management unit is newly registered as a temporary registration user. When the administrator receives a registration instruction, the temporary registration user is authorized. User registration means for updating the registered contents of the user management means so as to change to a registered user.

  According to this, since the image processing apparatus can be used as a temporary registration user without user registration by the administrator, it is possible to reduce the workload of the administrator regarding user registration, and by the administrator as appropriate. Since the temporarily registered user is changed to the regular registered user in response to the registration instruction, the functions of the image processing apparatus can be fully utilized, and the convenience for the user can be prevented from being lowered.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems, an image processing device and an information processing device for each user are connected to each other via a network, and personal information for each user, temporary registered user, and regular registered user's User management means for storing information relating to a user type indicating another, and control for permitting the user to use the image processing device based on a usage restriction condition according to the user type of the user who intends to use the image processing device When the personal information is acquired from the means and the user and the personal information satisfies a predetermined regular registration condition, the user management means is registered as a regular registered user, and the personal information does not satisfy the regular registration condition. In this case, a user registration unit that causes the user management unit to register as a temporarily registered user is included.

  According to this, the image processing apparatus can be used as a regular registration user when the predetermined regular registration condition is satisfied without user registration by the administrator, and even if the regular registration condition is not satisfied, the temporary registration user can be used. As a result, the image processing apparatus can be used, and the work burden on the administrator regarding user registration can be reduced.

  In the first to fourth inventions described above, the temporary registration user usage restriction condition is set to be narrower than that of the regular registration user. The user registration means may be configured to register as a temporary registration user when the personal information acquired from the user satisfies a temporary registration condition in which items necessary for user management are input mandatory items.

  In the third and fourth inventions, the user management means and the user registration means may be provided in the image processing apparatus as in the first and second inventions. It can also be provided in a management server device connected to the network.

  A fifth invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems is that, in the third and fourth inventions, the user registration unit causes the user to operate the input unit of the information processing apparatus to acquire personal information. The configuration.

  According to this, since the input work can be performed by the information processing apparatus having excellent operability, the work burden on the user can be reduced.

  A sixth invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems is the user authentication information obtained from the user who intends to use the image processing apparatus in the first, second, third and fourth inventions. User authentication means for performing authentication is further provided, and the control means permits the user to use the image processing apparatus only when the user authentication by the user authentication means is successful, and the user management means Each user authentication information is stored, and at the time of user registration, the user registration unit acquires the user authentication information from the user by the user authentication unit and registers it in the management unit.

  According to this, it is possible to prevent the image processing apparatus from being used erroneously or illegally.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, the user authentication means refers to card information stored in a card carried by the user (having an electrical storage means having a snooping prevention function), or user biometric information (fingerprint). User authentication based on a hand vein pattern or the like.

  When performing user authentication with an emphasis on safety, it is necessary for the user to be present at the time of registration of user authentication information, that is, card information or biometric authentication information. If the user himself / herself inputs personal information for provisional registration, card information and biometric authentication information are registered, so that the inconvenience of the manager calling the user and performing the registration work is eliminated.

  A seventh invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems is the user who performs user authentication in the fourth invention, wherein the image processing device acquires user authentication information from a user who intends to use the device. An authentication unit, the user management unit stores user authentication information for each user, and the user registration unit causes the user to operate the input unit of the information processing apparatus to acquire personal information, and then the user authentication information A password for registration is issued to the user, and when the user registers the user authentication information, if the entered password is authentic, the user authentication information acquired by the user authentication unit is registered in the user management unit. The configuration.

  According to this, it is possible to avoid the user authentication information being registered erroneously or illegally.

  An eighth invention made to solve the above-described problem is that, in the second and fourth inventions, the user registration means is based on regular registration conditions for a plurality of user types having different usage restriction conditions. In this configuration, the user is registered by being distributed to regular registered users of a plurality of user types.

  According to this, even when a plurality of user types having different usage restriction conditions are set as regular registered users, registration is performed without an administrator's operation, thereby reducing the workload of the administrator.

  In a ninth aspect of the invention made to solve the above-described problem, in the eighth aspect of the invention, the regular registration condition is set by defining a combination of conditions set for each predetermined item by a logical expression. The configuration.

  According to this, complex conditions can be clearly defined, and various conditions can be easily set.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a multifunction machine to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of hardware of the multifunction machine illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of software of the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a control panel of the multifunction machine shown in FIG.

  Here, the multifunction device 1, the user PC 2, the administrator PC 3, and the mail server 4 are connected via a network (LAN).

  The multifunction device 1 includes an image processing unit 11 that performs processing for each function of copying, facsimile, scanner, and printer, a control unit (control unit) 12 that controls processing in the image processing unit 11, and an instruction from a user And a control panel (input means) 13 for inputting necessary information, a user authentication unit (user authentication means) 14 for identifying a user who intends to use the own apparatus, and a user who manages the use of the own apparatus for each user It has a management unit (user management unit) 15 and a user registration unit (user registration unit) 16 that performs processing for registering the user in the user management unit 15 in response to a registration request from the user.

  Based on the user authentication information acquired by the user authentication unit 14, the control unit 12 refers to the user registration table of the user management unit 15 to determine the type (group) of the user to be operated, and according to the user type Based on the use restriction condition set in advance, control for permitting the user to use the own apparatus is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control panel 13 is provided with function selection keys for selecting the functions of copy, facsimile, scanner, and printer, and a touch panel display. Character keys with a predetermined arrangement are provided on the touch panel display. Can be displayed to allow the user to input personal information to be described later. On the control panel 13, a card reader and a fingerprint authentication sensor that constitute the user authentication unit 14 of FIG. 1 are provided. The card reader reads an IC card carried by the user.

  The user management unit 15 includes a storage unit 21 that stores management information related to user management as a user management database. The storage unit 21 includes a hard disk (HDD in FIG. 2). The management processing unit 22 performs writing and reading processing on the storage unit 21 in response to a registration request from the user and an inquiry from the user authentication unit 14 and the control unit 12.

  The user registration unit 16 acquires personal information from the user, causes the user management unit 15 to newly register as a temporary registration user when the user is not registered, and receives a registration instruction from the administrator. Is performed so that the registered contents of the user management unit 15 are updated (combination processing of automatic temporary registration and administrator registration) so as to be changed to a regular registered user.

  In addition, the user registration unit 16 acquires personal information from the user, and when the personal information satisfies a predetermined regular registration condition, the user registration unit 16 registers the personal information in the user management unit 15 as a regular registered user. If the regular registration conditions are not satisfied, a process (automatic distribution registration process) for causing the user management unit 15 to register as a temporary registration user is performed.

  The two types of user registration processing performed by the user registration unit 16 can be selected according to the needs of the administrator.

  Further, the multifunction device 1 has a Web server (network user I / F control unit in FIG. 3) 26 and a mail creation unit 27.

  The Web server 26 generates a required screen in response to requests from the Web browsers 31 and 33 of the user PC 2 and the administrator PC 3, and transmits the screen data to the user PC 2 and the administrator PC 3 via the network control unit 18. Then, a process of acquiring information input on the screen displayed on the user PC 2 and the administrator PC 3 is performed.

  In the mail creation unit 27, an email storing information notified to the user or the administrator is created in response to a request from the user registration unit 163, and the email is sent to the user PC 2 and the administrator PC 3 via the mail server 4. Sent to.

  In user registration, an operation for requesting user registration to the multifunction device 1 and inputting personal information is performed by the user himself, and this user registration operation is performed using the control panel 13 of the multifunction device 1 and the user. There is a method in which the multifunction peripheral 1 is accessed from the PC 2. Further, in the case of performing from the user PC 2, a method performed by the exchange between the Web browser 31 of the user PC 2 and the Web server 26 of the multifunction device 1, the printer driver 32 of the user PC 2, the network print control unit 28 of the multifunction device 1, There is a method to do by exchange between.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the setting operation performed by the administrator when starting the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a display screen of the Web browser of the administrator PC shown in FIG.

  The settings necessary for starting the operation of the multifunction machine are sequentially performed in the order shown in FIG. 5 by the wizard when the administrator first logs in. It is also possible to change the setting contents by selecting necessary items from the menu on the top screen in the administrator mode shown in FIG.

  Here, first, a registration item of the user's personal information is selected, and an initial setting of a user registration table (see FIG. 7) described later is performed (step 101). Next, an operation for setting the user type is performed. Here, addition / deletion of the user type is performed as required by the administrator. Moreover, selection of the input requirement item used as basic registration conditions is performed. Here, a registration condition table (see FIG. 11) described later is targeted (step 102). Next, an operation for setting use restriction conditions for each user type is performed (step 103). Here, a function restriction table (see FIG. 14) described later is an object. Next, an operation for setting conditions in the automatic distribution registration process performed by the user registration unit 16 is performed (step 104). Here, an automatic registration condition table (see FIG. 17) described later is a target.

  FIG. 7 shows a user registration table stored in the user management unit of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 8 and 9 show display screens of the Web browser of the administrator PC shown in FIG.

  The user registration table shown in FIG. 7 includes personal information for each user, in this case, employee number, e-mail address, name, extension number, number of PCs used, affiliation code, post code, IC card information, or biometric information (for example, fingerprint data). File name), password, temporary user registration date, regular registration date (administrator approved), and information for each item of the user type are stored.

  The registration contents for each item of the user registration table can be edited on the screen shown in FIG. 8, and this screen is a wizard at the start of operation or a menu on the screen of FIG. 6 (user management user edit). Displayed by selecting. When the edit button on this screen is operated, the registered contents for each user can be edited. Here, the administrator can change the registered contents for each user as necessary. For example, a temporary registered user (Guest) Operations such as changing to another user type (User, PowerUser, etc.), changing a regular registered user registered in the automatic distribution registration process to another user type, and deleting an already registered user are possible. is there.

  The configuration of the user registration table in FIG. 7 can be set on the screen shown in FIG. 9. This screen selects a wizard at the start of operation or a menu on the screen in FIG. 6 (user management table setting). Is displayed. On this screen, selection of items to be used in the user registration table, selection of primary keys (items prioritized at the time of sorting), and setting of selection values of affiliation codes and post codes are performed.

  FIG. 10 shows a user PC registration table stored in the user management unit of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. This user PC registration table is information related to the user PC, here the employee number of the user set in the primary key, the number corresponding to the number of each user specified in the item of the number of used PCs in the user registration table (local ID use (Number and link), computer name, and login user name are stored.

  The setting contents of the user PC registration table are edited on a screen (not shown) displayed by selecting a wizard at the start of operation or a menu on the screen of FIG. 6 (user PC editing of user management). can do.

  FIG. 11 shows a registration condition table stored in the user management unit of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 12 and 13 show display screens of the Web browser of the administrator PC shown in FIG.

  In the registration condition table shown in FIG. 11, for each user type, items set on the screen of FIG. 9, here, employee number, email address, name, extension number, affiliation code, post code, IC card information or biometric authentication Information on whether or not each item of information is required is stored, and if any value is not input to the item set to be required, registration for the user type is rejected.

  The user type of this registration condition table can be set on the screen shown in FIG. 12, and this screen can be selected by selecting the wizard at the start of operation or the menu on the screen of FIG. 6 (group editing of group management). Is displayed. Here, standard user types (System group), that is, user types (groups) other than temporarily registered users (Guest) and regular registered users (User and PowerUser), part-time workers, contract employees as required by the administrator , Regular employees, etc. can be added or deleted.

  The setting contents for each item in the registration condition table of FIG. 11 can be set on the screen shown in FIG. 13. This screen is a wizard at the start of operation or a menu (group management function) on the screen of FIG. Displayed by selecting (Restrict). Here, each item set on the screen of FIG. 9 is adopted as a registration condition, that is, whether or not to make it an essential input item is set for each user type.

  FIG. 14 shows a function restriction table stored in the user management unit of the multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. FIG. 15 shows a display screen of the Web browser of the administrator PC shown in FIG. FIG. 16 shows a user usage management table stored in the user management unit of the multifunction peripheral shown in FIG.

  The function restriction table shown in FIG. 14 stores usage restriction information for each user type, in this case, information on the expiration date and restriction contents for each function of copy, print, facsimile transmission, mail, and scan. For copy, print, and scan functions, the number of pages for each color and monochrome, for facsimile transmission functions, availability for each outside line and extension (ON / OFF), for mail functions, outside the main and within each domain Settings related to availability (ON / OFF) of. Note that mail is a function for sending scan data and facsimile reception data by electronic mail. All defaults are available.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14, regular registered users (User and PowerUser) can use all the functions of copy, print, facsimile transmission, mail, and scan, while the temporary registered user (Guest) The functions of copy and printer can be used, but the use of color is prohibited, the number of monochrome pages is limited, and the functions of facsimile transmission and mail cannot be used. . The setting contents of this function restriction table can be set on the screen shown in FIG. 15, and this screen is displayed following the screen shown in FIG.

  The user usage management table shown in FIG. 16 manages the usage status of the MFP for each user. The job execution record information (JobLog in FIG. 3), here the status (Status), and the copy, print, In addition, the number of colors and monochrome faces (cumulative value) for each function of scanning is stored for each employee number for identifying the user. Based on this user usage management table, if the usage of the MFP for each user deviates from the usage restriction conditions set in the function restriction table of FIG.

  FIG. 17 shows an automatic registration condition table stored in the user management unit of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 18 and 19 show display screens of the Web browser of the administrator PC shown in FIG.

  The automatic registration condition table shown in FIG. 17 is referred to when the user registration unit 16 of the multifunction device 1 performs automatic distribution registration processing, that is, processing for automatically distributing regular registered users and temporary registered users regardless of an instruction from the administrator. Here, two regular registration conditions (automatic User registration condition and automatic PowerUser registration condition) are set as conditions for registering as a regular registered user, and a temporary registered user (Guest) and two types of regular registration There are a total of three types of users (User and PowerUser).

  In this automatic registration condition table, the priority of registration conditions, name, necessity of automatic distribution registration execution, necessity of notification by e-mail to the administrator at the time of automatic distribution registration, temporary registration user (Guest ) Is stored, and information on specific conditions for automatic distribution registration processing is stored. The default is all OFF.

  Conditions for automatic distribution registration processing are set for each item of employee number, e-mail address, name, extension number, affiliation code, post code, and card information or biometric information. Here, e-mail address, post code, and card Necessary conditions are set for each item of information or biometric authentication information, and the combination of conditions for each item is a combination of the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, and G assigned to each item. And is defined by a logical expression (B and F and G), and is a regular registered user when all the conditions set in the three items of email address, post code, and card information or biometric information are satisfied. (User and PowerUser).

  Here, the two regular registration conditions (automatic User registration condition and automatic PowerUser registration condition) differ depending on the setting contents of the post code, and are distributed to two types of regular registered users (User and PowerUser) according to the post. . Also, if the conditions of each item partially overlap, the registration condition with higher priority is applied in preference to the other registration conditions, and if multiple registration conditions are satisfied, the registration condition with higher priority To the user type specified in.

  This automatic registration condition table can be used to add new registration conditions or edit the contents of already registered conditions on the screens shown in FIGS. The screen of FIG. 18 is displayed by selecting a wizard at the start of operation or a menu (automatic registration condition for group management) on the top screen in the administrator mode of FIG. The screen of FIG. 19 is displayed by operating the edit button or the new addition button on the screen of FIG.

  In the screen of FIG. 19, input of the name of the automatic registration condition, input of the priority order, specification of stop of the automatic registration function (automatic registration status), specification of notification by e-mail to the administrator at the time of automatic registration, provisional registration Selection of a user type to be changed by a user (Guest), selection of each registered item, input of conditions for each registered item, and input of a logical expression can be performed. In this screen, the value is displayed by referring to the automatic registration condition table when editing, and the default value is displayed when newly adding. When the registration button is operated after inputting and selecting required information on this screen, a new value is added to the automatic registration condition table or the value of the automatic registration condition table is changed after the parameter check. The

  FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure when user registration is performed using the control panel of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a state transition diagram when user registration is performed on the control panel of the multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. FIG. 22 shows a display screen of the touch panel display on the control panel of the multifunction machine shown in FIG.

  First, when the user holds the IC card over the card reader of the multifunction device 1, user authentication is performed by the user authentication unit 14, and verification of whether the user has been registered by referring to the user registration table by the user registration unit 16. If the user authentication is unsuccessful and the user is not registered, the screen shown in FIG. 22A is displayed. When the unregistered button is operated on this screen, the screen shown in FIG. 22B is displayed, and personal information (employee number, name, mail address, extension number, etc.) is input by the user.

  When the input of personal information is completed and the OK button is operated, the screen of FIG. 22C is displayed. When the user confirms the input content on this screen and operates the OK button, the screen of FIG. 22D is displayed. A screen is displayed. At this time, the user registration unit 16 determines whether or not the personal information entered by the user satisfies a predetermined temporary registration condition (see FIG. 11). The user management unit 15 is instructed to register, and the user management unit 15 performs processing for updating the user management database.

  Then, a process for notifying the administrator by e-mail that a new user registration has been performed is performed, and a process for notifying the user by e-mail of a password for using the MFP as a temporary registration user is performed.

  Thus, the multifunction device 1 can be used as a temporarily registered user thereafter. Further, when the administrator who has received the notification of new user registration accesses the multifunction machine 1 from the administrator PC 3 to display a screen for browsing and editing registered contents (see FIG. 8), and performs an operation to change to a regular registered user. The user management database is updated, and a process of notifying the user that the user has been registered as a regular registered user is performed by e-mail. Thereafter, the MFP 1 can be used as a regular registered user.

  FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure when user registration is performed from the Web browser of the user PC shown in FIG. 24 and 25 show display screens of the Web browser of the user PC shown in FIG. FIG. 26 shows a display screen of the touch panel display on the control panel of the multifunction machine shown in FIG.

  When the MFP 1 is accessed from the Web browser 31 of the user PC 2 and temporary user registration is selected on the user mode top screen (not shown), a screen shown in FIG. 24A is displayed. After operating the keyboard (input means) or the like to input personal information and then operating the send button, the input personal information and the device information of the user PC are transmitted to the multi-function device 1, and the multi-function device 1 uses the new user. If the user is a new user, the screen of FIG. 24B is displayed. When the user confirms the input content and operates the OK button, the screen of FIG. 25 is displayed. The

  At this time, when receiving the personal information from the user PC 2 and the device information of the user PC, the multifunction device 1 performs an update process for registering it in the user management database, and then confirms that the new user registration has been performed. A process for notifying the user of the temporary password for registering the user authentication information by e-mail is performed.

  When the operation for inputting the personal information is completed on the user PC 2 in this way, the user goes to the multifunction device 1 and performs an operation for registering card information (user authentication information). Here, when the IC card is first held over the card reader, user authentication is performed by the user authentication unit 14, and if this user authentication is unsuccessful, the screen shown in FIG. When the registered button is operated, the screen shown in FIG. 26 (B) is displayed. When the employee number and the password acquired by e-mail are input here, the screen shown in FIG. 26 (C) is displayed, and the user is registered. When the OK button is operated after confirming the contents, a screen shown in FIG. 26D is displayed.

  At this time, the MFP 1 performs update processing for registering the user authentication information acquired from the IC card in the user management database, and notifies the administrator that the user authentication information (authentication key) has been registered by e-mail. Processing is performed.

  This completes the temporary registration process, and thereafter, the multifunction device 1 can be used as a temporary registration user. Then, the administrator who has received the user authentication information registration notification accesses the MFP 1 from the administrator PC 3 to display a screen for browsing and editing the registered contents (see FIG. 8), and performs an operation to change to a regular registered user. Then, the user management database is updated so as to be registered as a regular registered user, and a process for notifying the user that the regular registration has been performed by e-mail is performed. Thereafter, the MFP 1 is used as a regular registered user. Will be able to.

  In this example, the multifunction device 1 can be used as a temporary registration user only after user authentication information is registered. However, the multifunction device 1 can be used as a temporary registration user without waiting for registration of user authentication information. In this case, user authentication information may be registered when updating to a regular registered user. In addition, when user authentication is performed with a fingerprint, it is the same as the above-described example of the IC card.

  FIG. 27 shows a display screen when user registration is performed from the printer driver of the user PC shown in FIG. When the user registration button on the main screen of the printer driver 32 of the user PC 2 is operated, the screen shown in FIG. 27A is displayed. When the user inputs personal information and then operates the send button, the multifunction device 1 is displayed. If the user is a new user, the screen shown in FIG. 27B is displayed. When the user confirms the input content and operates the OK button, the screen shown in FIG. The screen of C) is displayed.

  The processing performed in the multifunction machine 1 is the same as the example of the Web browser shown in FIGS. 23 to 26 except that the network print control unit 28 performs communication with the printer driver 32 of the user PC 2.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the user registration unit of the multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. In the example of FIGS. 20 and 23, after a temporary registration user is registered as a temporary registration user in response to a user registration operation, the temporary registration user is authorized based on an instruction from the administrator. Although the update process for changing to a registered user is performed, here, an automatic distribution registration process, that is, a process of automatically distributing to a regular registration user and a temporary registration user without performing an instruction from an administrator is performed.

  First, as in the above example, when the user inputs personal information and reads user authentication information and the user registration unit 16 obtains the information, the registration condition table (see FIG. 11) regarding the essential input items is referred to. Then, it is determined whether or not the provisional user registration condition is satisfied (step 201). If the provisional user registration condition is not satisfied, registration is disabled (step 202).

  On the other hand, if the provisional user registration condition is satisfied, then referring to the automatic registration condition table (see FIG. 17), whether the type can be changed to the regular registration user (User and PowerUser), that is, the regular registration condition (automatic It is determined whether or not the user registration condition and the automatic PowerUser registration condition) are satisfied (step 203). If the type cannot be changed to a regular registered user, the temporary registered user (Guest) is determined (step). 204).

  On the other hand, if the type change to the regular registered user is possible, the registration conditions regarding the mandatory input items of the regular registered users (User and PowerUser) are again referred to the registration condition table (see FIG. 11) concerning the mandatory input items. It is determined whether or not the condition is satisfied (step 205). If the registration condition of the regular registered user is not satisfied, the temporary registered user is determined (step 204).

  On the other hand, if the registration conditions related to the mandatory input items of the regular registered users (User and PowerUser) are satisfied, two regular registered users (Users) based on the two regular registration conditions (automatic User registration conditions and automatic PowerUser registration conditions), respectively. And PowerUser) (steps 206 and 207). Then, the determined user type (Guest, User, and PowerUser) is registered in the user registration table (step 208). At this time, a password for using the multifunction device 1 is automatically generated.

  The image processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus management system according to the present invention have an effect of reducing the work burden on the administrator related to user registration, and are shared among a large number of users. It is useful as an image processing apparatus that requires user registration to manage the use of the image processing apparatus, a management system for the image processing apparatus, and the like.

System configuration diagram showing a multifunction machine to which the present invention is applied FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. Block diagram showing the software configuration of the MFP shown in FIG. Figure showing the control panel of the multifunction device FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure of setting operations performed by an administrator when starting operation of the multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the web browser of administrator PC shown in FIG. The figure which shows the user registration table memorize | stored in the user management part of the multifunctional machine shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the web browser of administrator PC shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the web browser of administrator PC shown in FIG. The figure which shows the user PC registration table memorize | stored in the user management part of the multifunctional machine shown in FIG. The figure which shows the registration condition table memorize | stored in the user management part of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the web browser of administrator PC shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the web browser of administrator PC shown in FIG. The figure which shows the function restriction table memorize | stored in the user management part of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the web browser of administrator PC shown in FIG. The figure which shows the user use management table memorize | stored in the user management part of the multifunctional machine shown in FIG. The figure which shows the automatic registration condition table memorize | stored in the user management part of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the web browser of administrator PC shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the web browser of administrator PC shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure when user registration is performed using the control panel of the multifunction device shown in FIG. State transition diagram when user registration is performed on the control panel of the MFP shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the touchscreen display on the control panel of the multifunctional device shown in FIG. The sequence diagram which shows the procedure at the time of performing user registration from the Web browser of the user PC shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the web browser of the user PC shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the web browser of the user PC shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the touchscreen display on the control panel of the multifunctional device shown in FIG. The figure which shows the display screen at the time of performing user registration from the printer driver of the user PC shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed in the user registration part of the multifunctional device shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP 2 User PC
3 Administrator PC
4 mail server 11 image processing unit 12 control unit (control means)
13 Control panel (input means)
14 User authentication part (user authentication means)
15 User management section (user management means)
16 User registration section (user registration means)
21 Storage Unit 22 Management Processing Unit 26 Web Server 27 Mail Creation Unit 28 Network Print Control Unit 31 Web Browser 32 Printer Driver

Claims (9)

User management means for storing personal information for each user and information related to a user type indicating a provisional registration user and a regular registration user;
Control means for permitting the user to use his / her own device based on the use restriction condition corresponding to the user type of the user who intends to use the own device;
When personal information is acquired from a user, the user is newly registered in the user management means as a temporary registration user when the user is not registered, and when a registration instruction is received from the administrator, the temporary registration user is designated as a regular registration user. An image processing apparatus comprising: a user registration unit that updates the registration contents of the user management unit so as to be changed. User management means for storing personal information for each user and information related to a user type indicating a provisional registration user and a regular registration user;
Control means for permitting the user to use his / her own device based on the use restriction condition corresponding to the user type of the user who intends to use the own device;
When personal information is acquired from a user and the personal information satisfies a predetermined regular registration condition, the user management means is registered as a regular registered user, and when the personal information does not satisfy the regular registration condition An image processing apparatus comprising: user registration means for causing the user management means to register as a temporarily registered user. An image processing device and an information processing device for each user are connected to each other via a network,
User management means for storing personal information for each user and information related to a user type indicating a provisional registration user and a regular registration user;
Control means for permitting the user to use the image processing device based on a use restriction condition corresponding to a user type of the user who intends to use the image processing device;
When personal information is acquired from a user, the user is newly registered in the user management means as a temporary registration user when the user is not registered, and when a registration instruction is received from the administrator, the temporary registration user is designated as a regular registration user. An image processing apparatus management system comprising: user registration means for updating the registration contents of the user management means so as to be changed. An image processing device and an information processing device for each user are connected to each other via a network,
User management means for storing personal information for each user and information related to a user type indicating a provisional registration user and a regular registration user;
Control means for permitting the user to use the image processing device based on a use restriction condition corresponding to a user type of the user who intends to use the image processing device;
When personal information is acquired from a user and the personal information satisfies a predetermined regular registration condition, the user management means is registered as a regular registered user, and when the personal information does not satisfy the regular registration condition An image processing apparatus management system comprising: a user registration unit that causes the user management unit to register as a temporarily registered user.   5. The image processing apparatus management system according to claim 3, wherein the user registration unit causes the user to operate the input unit of the information processing apparatus to acquire personal information. User authentication means for acquiring user authentication information from a user who intends to use the image processing apparatus and performing user authentication;
The control means permits the user to use the image processing apparatus only when the user authentication by the user authentication means is successful,
The user management means stores user authentication information for each user,
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user registration unit acquires user authentication information from a user at the user authentication unit and registers the user authentication information in the management unit at the time of user registration, and The management system of the image processing apparatus of Claim 3 or Claim 4. The image processing apparatus includes user authentication means for acquiring user authentication information from a user who intends to use the apparatus and performing user authentication,
The user management means stores user authentication information for each user;
When the user registration unit issues a password for user authentication information registration to the user after the user has operated the input unit of the information processing apparatus to acquire personal information and the user registers the user authentication information. 5. The management system for an image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the input password is authentic, the user authentication information acquired by the user authentication unit is registered in the user management unit.   3. The image according to claim 2, wherein the user registration unit distributes and registers to regular registered users of a plurality of user types based on regular registration conditions for a plurality of user types having different usage restriction conditions. A management system for a processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus according to claim 4.   9. The image processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus management system according to claim 8, wherein the regular registration condition is set by defining a combination of conditions set for each predetermined item by a logical expression.

Images