JP2009289030A - Information processor and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent data of the other person from being used and allow a user to confirm who has executed each processing. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus acquires image data designated by a user and a user ID and a password input by the user, and transmits the acquired user ID and the password to an authentication device to request authentication of the user. When the authentication is successful, the acquired image data is stored in association with the user ID. When a user ID input again by the user is acquired, and processing using image data stored in association with the acquire user ID is instructed, print processing using the stored image data is performed, and log information showing the log of the print processing is stored in association with the acquired user ID. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

As a technique for enhancing the confidentiality of an image to be printed, for example, in Patent Document 1, a personal identification number associated with image data is collated with a personal identification number input by a user, and those personal identification numbers match. In such a case, a technique for forming an image corresponding to the image data is disclosed. This personal identification number is arbitrarily set for each image data.
JP 05-143253 A

  It is an object of the present invention to make it difficult to perform processing using other person's data and to check which user has performed each processing.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus, data acquisition means for acquiring data designated by a user, user identification information and authentication information input by the user, and each user The user identification information and the authentication information acquired by the data acquisition means are transmitted to the authentication device that stores the user identification information to be identified and the user authentication information in association with each other, thereby authenticating the user. A requesting authentication requesting unit; a data storage unit for storing the data acquired by the data acquiring unit and user identification information in association with each other when the authentication of the user by the authentication device is successful; and a user User identification information reacquisition means for acquiring user identification information input again, and correspondence with user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means When processing using the stored data is instructed, processing means for performing the processing using the data stored in the data storage means, and history information indicating a history of processing performed by the processing means And history information storage means for storing the user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means in association with each other.

  The invention according to claim 2 is acquired by the information acquisition device, the data acquisition means for acquiring the data designated by the user and the user identification information input by the user, and the data acquisition means Data storage means for storing data and user identification information in association with each other, user identification information re-acquisition means for acquiring user identification information and authentication information re-input by the user, and each user is identified The user identification information and the authentication information acquired by the user identification information re-acquisition means are transmitted to an authentication device that stores the user identification information and the authentication information of the user in association with each other. Authentication request means for requesting authentication of the user and the user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means when the authentication by the authentication device is successful. When the processing using the data stored in association with is instructed, the processing means for performing the processing using the data stored in the data storage means, and the processing performed by the processing means History information storage means for storing history information representing a history and user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means in association with each other is provided.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data storage means is a temporary user whose use period is limited to the user identification information acquired by the data acquisition means. When the processing using the data stored in the data storage unit in association with the temporary user identification information is instructed, the history information storage unit reacquires the user identification information. The user identification information obtained by the means is stored as regular user identification information with no limitation on the usage period, and the usage period elapses after the temporary user identification information is stored in the data storage means. If the process using the data stored in the data storage means in association with the temporary user identification information is not instructed, the temporary user identification information is deleted. Characterized in that it comprises a deletion means.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising reading means for reading an image, wherein the data acquisition means reads the image read by the reading means. The data storage means stores the image data acquired by the data acquisition means, and the processing means corresponds to the user identification information acquired by the user identification information re-acquisition means. When a process using image data stored in addition is instructed, the process is performed using the image data stored in the data storage means.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising receiving means for receiving the image data when the image data is transmitted from the terminal device, The data acquisition means acquires the image data received by the reception means, the data storage means stores the image data acquired by the data acquisition means, and the processing means reproduces the user identification information. When a process using image data stored in association with the user identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is instructed, the process is performed using the image data stored in the data storage unit. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the information is stored in the data storage unit in association with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition unit. Selection accepting means for accepting selection of image data from among the existing image data, and the processing means performs a process of forming an image according to the image data accepted by the selection accepting means. .

  The invention according to claim 7 is a computer-executable program, wherein the computer acquires data specified by a user, and data acquisition means for acquiring user identification information and authentication information input by the user; The user identification information and the authentication information acquired by the data acquisition means are transmitted to an authentication device that stores the user identification information for identifying each user in association with the authentication information of the user. An authentication requesting means for requesting user authentication, and a data storage for storing the data acquired by the data acquiring means and the user identification information in association with each other when the authentication by the authentication device is successful Means, user identification information reacquisition means for acquiring user identification information input again by the user, and user identification information reacquisition means When the process using the data stored in association with the user identification information acquired is instructed, the processing means for performing the process using the data stored in the data storage means, and the process It is characterized by functioning as history information storage means for storing history information representing a history of processing performed by the means and user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means in association with each other.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in a computer-executable program, the computer acquires data specified by a user and data acquisition means for acquiring user identification information input by the user, and the data Data storage means for storing the data acquired by the acquisition means and user identification information in association with each other, user identification information re-acquisition means for acquiring user identification information and authentication information re-input by the user, The user identification information and the authentication information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means are stored in an authentication device that stores the user identification information for identifying each user in association with the authentication information of the user. An authentication request means for requesting authentication of the user, and when the authentication of the user by the authentication device is successful, the user identification information is re-established. When a process using data stored in association with the user identification information acquired by the acquiring unit is instructed, a processing unit that performs the process using the data stored in the data storage unit; And functioning as history information storage means for storing history information representing a history of processing performed by the processing means and user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means in association with each other. And

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, it becomes difficult to perform processing using other person's data, and it is possible to confirm which user has performed each processing.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, temporary user identification information with a limited expiration date is used when data is stored, and the user identification information is limited to the usage period when processing using the data is instructed. If the processing using the data is not instructed until the use period elapses, the temporary user identification information corresponding to the data is deleted. Thus, unnecessary temporary user identification information can be prevented from being stored continuously.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, the process using the image data produced | generated by reading an image can be performed.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, the process using the image data transmitted from the terminal device can be performed.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 6, the process which forms the image according to the image data selected by the user can be performed.
According to the invention which concerns on Claims 7 and 8, while making the process using the data of others difficult, it becomes possible to confirm by which user each process was performed.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the information processing system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 10, an authentication device 20, and an image forming device 30. These devices are connected to each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The terminal device 10 is a device used by a user. Although only two terminal devices 10 are shown in the figure, three or more terminal devices may be provided. The authentication device 20 is a device that authenticates all users who use the terminal device 10. The image forming apparatus 30 is an information processing apparatus that accumulates image data transmitted from the terminal device 10 and forms an image according to image data designated from the accumulated image data.

(Configuration of terminal device)
First, the configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the terminal device 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12, a communication unit 13, a storage unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a display unit 16. The CPU 11 performs various processes according to programs stored in the memory 12. The memory 12 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and stores programs used by the CPU 11. The communication unit 13 establishes communication with the image forming apparatus 30 connected via the network, and transmits and receives data according to the control of the CPU 11. The storage unit 14 is, for example, a hard disk, and stores programs used by the CPU 11 and various data. The operation unit 15 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, receives a user's operation, and supplies an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the CPU 11. The display unit 16 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays an image corresponding to data supplied by the CPU 11.

(Configuration of authentication device)
Next, the configuration of the authentication device 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the authentication device 20. As shown in the figure, the authentication device 20 includes a CPU 21, a memory 22, a communication unit 23, and a storage unit 24. The CPU 21 performs various processes according to programs stored in the memory 22. The memory 22 includes, for example, a ROM and a RAM, and stores a program used by the CPU 21. The communication unit 23 establishes communication with the image forming apparatus 30 connected via a network, and transmits and receives data according to the control of the CPU 21. The storage unit 24 is a hard disk, for example, and stores an authentication table T and the like.

  Here, the contents of the authentication table T stored in the storage unit 24 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the authentication table T. As shown in the figure, in this authentication table T, “user ID” and “password” are associated. The “user ID” is an example of user identification information that identifies each user who is permitted to use the terminal device 10. This “user ID” is assigned in advance to all users who are permitted to use the terminal device 10. The “password” is an example of authentication information designated in advance by a user who uses the terminal device 10. This “password” is used to confirm that the user is the user. For example, in the authentication table T shown in the figure, the user ID “userA” and the password “1234” are associated with each other. This indicates that the user with the user ID “userA” is a valid user, and the password “1234” is set by the user.

(Configuration of image forming apparatus)
Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 30. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32 that is an example of a receiving unit, a storage unit 33 that is an example of a data storage unit and a history information storage unit, and a display operation unit 34. And an image reading unit 35 as an example of a reading unit and an image forming unit 36 as an example of a processing unit. The control unit 31 includes, for example, a CPU that performs processing according to a program, a ROM that stores the program, a RAM that is used as a work area of the CPU, and the like, and controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 30. The communication unit 32 establishes communication with the terminal device 10 and the authentication device 20 connected via the network, and transmits and receives data according to the control of the control unit 31. The storage unit 33 is, for example, a hard disk, and stores a registration table R1 and the like. The storage unit 33 has a storage area for storing image data supplied from the image reading unit 35 or the communication unit 32. The display operation unit 34 includes, for example, a touch panel, displays an image instructed by the control unit 31, and supplies an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the operator to the control unit 31. The image reading unit 35 is a scanner device, for example, and reads an image of a document and generates image data representing the image. The image forming unit 36 is, for example, a printer device, and performs a process of forming an image according to the image data supplied by the control unit 31 on a sheet. In the following description, the process of forming an image corresponding to image data on a sheet is referred to as “printing process”.

  Here, the contents of the registration table R1 stored in the storage unit 33 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the registration table R1. As shown in the figure, “registration table R1” is associated with “user ID”, “history information”, and “temporary registration flag”. “User ID” is an example of user identification information for identifying each user. “History information” is information representing a history of print processing. The “history information” includes, for example, the date and time when the printing process was performed, the number of copies, the file name of the image data used for the printing process, the thumbnail image, and the like. The “temporary registration flag” is information indicating whether the corresponding user ID is temporarily registered or properly registered. “Off” in the figure indicates that the user ID is registered correctly. The user ID registered in a regular manner is used as regular user identification information having no expiration date. On the other hand, when the user ID is temporarily registered, the temporary registration flag in the “on” state is associated. This temporarily registered user ID is used as temporary user identification information with a limited expiration date. For example, in the registration table R1 shown in the figure, the user ID “userX”, the history information “logX”, and the temporary registration flag “off” are associated with each other. This indicates that the user ID “userX” has been properly registered, and the history processing represented by the history information “logX” has been performed by the user with the user ID “userX”. In this registration table R1, when a new user whose user ID is not registered in the registration table R1 stores image data in the image forming apparatus 30, or print processing using the image data is performed. Sometimes, a new user ID is added.

  Here, each function of the image forming apparatus 30 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 30. As shown in the figure, the control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 includes, as its functional configuration, a data acquisition unit 102, a first authentication request unit 103, a user identification information reacquisition unit 105, and a second An authentication request unit 106 and a selection receiving unit 107 are provided. Each of these functions is realized by the CPU executing a program. The communication unit 32 includes a receiving unit 101 as its functional configuration, the image forming unit 36 includes a processing unit 108 as its functional configuration, and the storage unit 33 includes a data storage unit as its functional configuration. 104 and a history information storage unit 109.

  The receiving unit 101 is an example of a receiving unit that receives image data when the terminal device 10 receives the image data. The data acquisition unit 102 is an example of a data acquisition unit that acquires image data specified by a user and received by the reception unit 101 and user identification information and authentication information input by the user. For example, a user ID is used as the user identification information, and a password is used as the authentication information. The first authentication request unit 103 is a user acquired by the data acquisition unit 102 for the authentication device 20 that stores the user identification information for identifying each user and the authentication information of the user in association with each other. It is an example of the authentication request | requirement means which transmits identification information and authentication information, and requests | requires authentication of a user. The data storage unit 104 is an example of a data storage unit that stores the image data acquired by the data acquisition unit 102 and the user identification information in association with each other when the authentication of the user by the authentication device 20 is successful.

  The user identification information reacquisition unit 105 is an example of a user identification information reacquisition unit that acquires user identification information input again by the user. The second authentication request unit 106 acquires, by the user identification information reacquisition unit 105, the authentication device 20 that stores the user identification information for identifying each user and the authentication information of the user in association with each other. It is an example of the authentication request | requirement means which transmits the user identification information and authentication information which were performed, and requests | requires authentication of a user. The selection receiving unit 107 is a selection receiving unit that receives a selection of image data from the image data stored in the data storage unit 104 in association with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition unit 105. It is an example. When the processing unit 108 is instructed to perform processing using image data stored in association with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition unit 105, the processing unit 108 stores the image stored in the data storage unit 104. It is an example of the processing means which performs the process which forms the image according to data. The history information storage unit 109 stores history information representing a history of processing performed by the processing unit 108 and user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition unit 105 in association with each other. It is an example.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 will be described. Here, an image data storage process for storing image data in the image forming apparatus 30 will be described first, and then a print process for forming an image corresponding to the designated image data from the stored image data will be described.

(Image data storage processing)
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing image data storage processing. First, the user operates the operation unit 15 of the terminal device 10 to specify image data to be used for printing, instruct transmission of the image data, and input his user ID and password. This image data may be stored in advance in the storage unit 14, or may be newly created according to a program for creating a sentence or an image. Here, it is assumed that image data D1 is designated and a user ID “userA” and a password “1234” are input. When an image data transmission instruction is input by operating the operation unit 15 (step SA10), the CPU 11 uses the user ID “userA” and password “1234” input by the user for the image data D1 for which transmission has been instructed. At the same time, it is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 by the communication unit 13 (step SA20).

  When the image data D1, the user ID “userA”, and the password “1234” are transmitted, the control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the information by the communication unit 32 (step SA30). As described above, the user ID is an example of user identification information, and the password is an example of authentication information. That is, the control unit 31 is an example of a data acquisition unit that acquires data specified by a user, user identification information and authentication information input by the user. Subsequently, the control unit 31 requests the authentication device 20 to perform user authentication by transmitting the received user ID “userA” and password “1234” to the authentication device 20 through the communication unit 32 (step SA40). That is, the control unit 31 uses the user identification information acquired in step SA30 described above for the authentication device 20 that stores the user identification information for identifying each user in association with the authentication information of the user. It is an example of the authentication request | requirement means which transmits information and authentication information, and requests | requires authentication of a user.

  When user authentication is requested from the image forming apparatus 30, the CPU 21 of the authentication apparatus 20 performs user authentication using the user ID “userA” and the password “1234” transmitted from the image forming apparatus 30 (step SA50). ). Specifically, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the combination of the transmitted user ID and password is stored in the authentication table T of the storage unit 24. In this example, since the user ID “userA” and the password “1234” are transmitted from the image forming apparatus 30, it is determined whether or not these combinations are included in the authentication table T shown in FIG. . Subsequently, the CPU 21 returns an authentication result indicating success or failure of user authentication to the image forming apparatus 30 through the communication unit 23 (step SA60). In this example, since the combination of the user ID “userA” and the password “1234” is included in the authentication table T shown in FIG. 4, an authentication result indicating the success of the user authentication is returned.

  When the authentication result is returned, the control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the authentication result by the communication unit 32, and determines whether or not the user authentication is successful based on the received authentication result (step). SA70). If the received authentication result indicates failure of user authentication, the control unit 31 determines that user authentication has not been successful (step SA70: NO), and discards the image data received in step SA30 (step SA30). Step SA80). At this time, the user ID and password received in step SA30 may be discarded together with the image data. On the other hand, when the received authentication result indicates the success of the user authentication as in this example, the control unit 31 determines that the user authentication is successful (step SA70: YES), and the user received in step SA30. It is determined whether or not the ID “userA” has been registered in the registration table R1 of the storage unit 33 (step SA90). If the user ID “userA” is included in the registration table R1 of the storage unit 33, the control unit 31 determines that the user ID has been registered in the registration table R1 (step SA90: YES), and step The image data D1 received at SA30 is stored in the storage unit 33 in association with the user ID “userA” (step SA110).

  On the other hand, when the user ID “userA” is not included in the registration table R1 of the storage unit 33, the control unit 31 determines that the user ID has not been registered in the registration table R1 (step SA90: NO). In this example, since the registration table R1 illustrated in FIG. 6 does not include the user ID “userA”, it is determined that the user ID “userA” has not been registered in the registration table R1. In this case, the control unit 31 adds the user ID “userA” received in step SA30 to the registration table R1 of the storage unit 33, and sets the corresponding temporary registration flag to “on”, thereby changing the user ID. Temporarily register in the registration table R1 (step SA100). FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the registration table R2 after the user ID “userA” is added. As shown in the figure, a user ID “userA” is added to the registration table R2, and a temporary registration flag in the “on” state is associated with the user ID “userA”.

Subsequently, the control unit 31 proceeds to the process of step SA110 described above, and stores the image data D1 received in step SA30 in the storage unit 33 in association with the received user ID “userA”. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the image data D1 stored at this time. As shown in the figure, the user ID “userA” is associated with the image data D1. As a result, the storage unit 33 stores the registration table R2 in which the user ID “userA” and the temporary registration flag “on” are associated, and the image data D1 in which the user ID “userA” is associated. . That is, in the storage unit 33, the user ID “userA”, the temporary registration flag “on”, and the image data D1 are stored in association with each other using the user ID “userA” as a key. At this time, the user ID associated with the temporary registration flag in the “on” state is used as temporary user identification information with a limited use period. That is, when the authentication of the user by the authentication device 20 is successful, the storage unit 33 stores the data acquired in step SA30 and the user identification information in association with each other and stores the user identification information. This is stored as temporary user identification information.
In this way, every time image data is transmitted from the terminal device 10 by a legitimate user, the image data is accumulated in the image forming apparatus 30.

(Printing process)
Next, a printing process for forming an image corresponding to image data designated from image data stored in the image forming apparatus 30 will be described. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating the printing process. When it is desired to form an image according to the image data stored in the image forming apparatus 30, the user first moves to a place where the image forming apparatus 30 is installed. Subsequently, the user operates the display operation unit 34 of the image forming apparatus 30 and inputs his / her user ID and password. Here, it is assumed that a user ID “userA” and a password “1234” are input.

  When the user ID “userA” and the password “1234” are input by the operation of the display operation unit 34 (step SB10), the control unit 31 transmits the input user ID and password to the authentication device 20 by the communication unit 32. Thus, user authentication is requested to the authentication device 20 (step SB20). That is, the control unit 31 is an example of a user identification information reacquisition unit that acquires user identification information input by a user. When user authentication is requested from the image forming apparatus 30, the CPU 21 of the authentication apparatus 20 performs user authentication in the same manner as described above (step SB30), and returns the authentication result to the image forming apparatus 30 through the communication unit 23 ( Step SB40). In this example, since the combination of the user ID “userA” and the password “1234” is included in the authentication table T shown in FIG. 4, an authentication result indicating the success of the user authentication is returned.

  When the authentication result is returned, the control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the authentication result by the communication unit 32, and determines whether or not the user authentication is successful based on the received authentication result (step). SB50). If the received authentication result indicates failure of user authentication, the control unit 31 determines that user authentication has not been successful (step SB50: NO), and displays a message indicating that user authentication has failed, for example. The information is displayed on the operation unit 34, and this process ends. On the other hand, when the received authentication result indicates the success of the user authentication as in this example, the control unit 31 determines that the user authentication is successful (step SB50: YES) and accepts selection of image data. A data selection screen is displayed on the display operation unit 34 (step SB60). On the image data selection screen, the file name of the image data stored in the storage unit 33 in association with the user ID input in step SB10 is arranged to be selectable. In this example, the file name of the image data stored in the storage unit 33 in association with the user ID “userA” input in step SB10, for example, the file name of the image data D1 shown in FIG. 9 can be selected. Placed in.

  When the image data selection screen is displayed, the user operates the display operation unit 34 to select image data to be used for printing from the image data presented on the image data selection screen, and to issue a print instruction. I do. Here, it is assumed that the image data D1 is selected by the user and a print instruction is given. When a print instruction is input by the operation of the display operation unit 34 (step SB70), the control unit 31 receives the selection operation and the print instruction operation. In other words, the control unit 31 and the display operation unit 34 accept the selection of image data selected from the image data stored in the storage unit 33 in association with the user identification information acquired in step SB10. It is an example of a means. Then, the control unit 31 reads out the image data D1 selected from the image data stored in the storage unit 33 and supplies it to the image forming unit 36. When the image data D1 is supplied by the control unit 31, the image forming unit 36 forms an image corresponding to the image data D1 on a sheet and outputs it (step SB80). That is, when the process using the data stored in association with the user identification information acquired in step SB10 is instructed, the image forming unit 36 performs the process using the instructed data. As a result, a printed matter on which an image corresponding to the image data D1 designated by the user is formed is output.

  Subsequently, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the user ID associated with the image data D1 for which printing has been instructed in step SB70 is temporarily registered (step SB90). If the temporary registration flag in the “off” state is associated with the user ID “userA” associated with the image data D1, the control unit 31 does not temporarily register this user ID. (Step SB90: NO). In this case, the control unit 31 creates history information based on the printing process performed in step SB80, and creates history information corresponding to the user ID “userA” in the registration table R2 of the storage unit 33. Is added (step SB100). On the other hand, in this example, as shown in FIG. 9, the user ID “userA” is associated with the image data D1, and as shown in FIG. 8, the user ID “userA” in the registration table R2 is “ Since the temporary registration flag in the “ON” state is associated, the control unit 31 determines that the user ID is temporarily registered (step SB90: YES). In this case, the control unit 31 causes the display operation unit 34 to display an inquiry screen asking whether or not to shift the user ID input in step SB10 from temporary registration to regular registration (step SB110).

  When the inquiry screen is displayed, the user operates the display operation unit 34 to select whether or not to shift the user ID “userA” input in step SB10 from temporary registration to regular registration. For example, when it is instructed not to shift the user ID “userA” input in step SB10 to regular registration by the operation of the display operation unit 34 (step SB120: NO), the control unit 31 displays the user ID. The record including “userA” is deleted from the registration table R2 of the storage unit 33 (step SB130), and this process ends. On the other hand, when the operation of the display operation unit 34 is instructed to shift the user ID “userA” input in step SB10 to regular registration (step SB120: YES), the control unit 31 stores the storage unit 33. In the registration table R2, the temporary registration flag associated with the user ID is changed to the “off” state, thereby shifting the user ID “userA” to regular registration (step SB140). In this example, in the registration table R2 illustrated in FIG. 8, the temporary registration flag corresponding to the user ID “userA” is changed from “on” to “off”.

  Subsequently, the control unit 31 creates history information based on the printing process performed in step SB80, and stores the created history information in association with the user ID “userA” in the registration table R2 of the storage unit 33. Let (Step SB150). That is, the memory | storage part 33 matches and memorize | stores the log | history information showing the log | history of the process performed in step SB80, and the user identification information acquired in step SB10. For example, when history information “logA” is created as history information representing the history of the printing process performed in step SB80, the history information “logA” is associated with the user ID “userA” in the registration table R2. Will be described.

As described above, if the user ID input together with the image data transmission instruction and the user ID input in the printing process do not match, the printing process using the image data is not performed. It becomes difficult to perform the processing used.
Further, since the history information indicating the history of processing and the user ID are stored in association with each other, the user refers to the stored content to check which user has performed each processing. For example, when the personal identification number associated with the image data is collated with the personal identification number input by the user, and the personal identification number matches, the personal identification number is printed. Is set for each image data, so even if it can be confirmed that the user who issued the image data transmission instruction and the user who issued the image data print instruction are the same person, It is not possible to specify who the user is. Therefore, even if history information representing the history of processing is accumulated, it cannot be specified by which user the processing is performed, and traceability cannot be ensured. On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, since the user ID stored in the authentication device 20 and the history information are associated with each other, it is determined by which user the processing is performed by looking at the stored content. What is necessary is just to specify.

[Modification]
The above is the description of the embodiment, but the contents of this embodiment can be modified as follows. Further, the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.
(Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the user authentication by the authentication device 20 is performed in the image data storage process and the printing process. However, the user authentication may be performed only in either the image data storage process or the printing process. Good. For example, when user authentication by the authentication device 20 is performed only in the printing process, it is only necessary to input a user ID in step SA10 described above, and it is not necessary to input a password. Then, after the image data and the user ID are received in the above-described step SA30, the processing in step SA40 to step SA70 is skipped and the processing in step SA90 is performed. In this configuration, even a third party other than the authorized user who is authenticated by the authentication device 20 can store the image data in the image forming apparatus 30, but the third party uses the image data. Even if printing is to be performed, user authentication by the authentication device 20 fails. Eventually, a person other than the authorized user cannot perform printing.

  The same applies to the case where user authentication by the authentication device 20 is performed only in the data storage process. In this case, in step SB10 described above, only the user ID needs to be input, and no password needs to be input. And after a user ID is input in this step SB10, the process of step SB20-step SB50 mentioned above is skipped and the process of step SB60 is performed. Such a configuration may be used.

(Modification 2)
In the above-described embodiment, the image data continues to be stored in the storage unit 33 even if the image data associated with the temporarily registered user ID is not instructed, but a predetermined time elapses. If the print instruction for the image data is not given until then, the image data may be deleted. In this case, the control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 determines that the predetermined time elapses after the image data of the user ID associated with the temporary registration flag in the “ON” state is stored in the storage unit 33. When printing of image data is not instructed, the image data and the corresponding user ID are deleted. That is, the control unit 31 stores the temporary user identification information in the storage unit 33 in association with the temporary user identification information until the usage time of the temporary user identification information elapses after the temporary user identification information is stored in the storage unit 33. This is an example of a deletion unit that deletes the temporary user identification information stored in the storage unit 33 when processing using stored data is not instructed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent unnecessary temporary user identification information from being continuously stored in the storage unit 33.

(Modification 3)
In the above-described embodiment, the user is inquired whether the user ID is to be transferred from temporary registration to regular registration. However, the user ID may be transferred to regular registration without making this inquiry. For example, the control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the user input in step SB10 when a print instruction for image data associated with the “ON” temporary registration flag is input in step SB70 described above. The ID may be transferred to regular registration as described above. That is, when the process using the data stored in the storage unit 33 in association with the temporary user identification information is instructed, the storage unit 33 uses the user identification information acquired in step SB10 for the usage period. It is stored as regular user identification information that is not restricted.

  Alternatively, regular registration may be performed from the beginning without temporarily registering the user ID. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a temporary registration flag in the registration table R1, and further, the processing of steps SB110 to SB150 is eliminated. Then, after the printing process is performed in step SB80, the process of step SB90 is skipped and the process of step SB100 is performed. In step SB100, the control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 may add the user ID received in step SA30 to the registration table R1 of the storage unit 33 as it is.

(Modification 4)
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the image data stored in the image forming apparatus 30 is transmitted from the terminal device 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image data generated by the image reading unit 35 may be accumulated in the storage unit 33. In this case, the user operates the display operation unit 34 to instruct reading of the image of the document set on the image reading unit 35 and inputs his / her user ID and password. The image reading unit 35 reads an image of a document set by a user to generate image data, and supplies the generated image data to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 acquires the image data generated by the image reading unit 35, and performs the processes after step SA40. According to this configuration, the image data created based on the image of the document is accumulated, and an image corresponding to the image data is formed.

(Modification 5)
In the above-described embodiment, in the printing process, the image data selection screen is displayed and the selection of the image data is accepted. However, the method for determining the image data to be printed is not limited to this. For example, when the control unit 31 determines that the user authentication is successful in step SB50 described above, the control unit 31 reads all the image data stored in the storage unit 33 in association with the user ID input in step SB10. The image forming unit 36 may be supplied. In this case, all image data accumulated by the user is printed even if the user does not select and print the image data.

(Modification 6)
In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 30 has been described as an example of the information processing apparatus that performs processing using data, but is not limited thereto. For example, an information processing apparatus that stores data transmitted from the terminal device 10 once and then transfers the data to another device may be used. In this case, the information processing apparatus may transfer the data transmitted from the terminal apparatus 10 to another apparatus as it is, or may transfer the data after processing the transmitted data. Alternatively, the information processing apparatus may transmit the data transmitted from the terminal device 10 as an e-mail. In short, the information processing apparatus only needs to perform processing using data.

(Modification 7)
In the above-described embodiment, the temporary registration flag is used to distinguish between the temporarily registered user ID and the normally registered user ID. However, the method of distinguishing these is not limited thereto. For example, a regular registration table that stores user IDs that are properly registered and a temporary registration table that stores temporarily registered user IDs are provided, and temporary registration is performed according to which registration table the user ID is stored in. The registered user ID may be distinguished from the user ID that is properly registered. In short, the storage unit 33 stores legitimate user identification information and history information in association with each other, and when the user identification information is temporarily registered, the user identification information is used as temporary user identification information. Just remember. In addition, when the temporary user identification information is shifted from temporary registration to regular registration, the storage unit 33 may store the user identification information acquired in step SB10 as regular user identification information.

Further, the data storage format of the history information is not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, each time print processing is performed, history information representing the history of the print processing is accumulated in time series, and a user ID corresponding to each history information or an identifier representing the user ID is associated with each other. Also good.
Further, the data structure of the registration table is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. For example, the registration table R2 illustrated in FIG. 9 is associated with a second registration table in which “user ID” and “temporary registration flag” are associated, and “user ID” and “history information”. It may be divided into a history table. In this case, in step SB130 described above, the record including the user ID input in step SB10 is deleted from only the second registration table, and the user ID and history information described in the history table are not deleted. You can leave it as it is.

(Modification 8)
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a password is used as an example of authentication information has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, biometric information such as a user's fingerprint, iris, and voice may be used as the user's authentication information.

(Modification 9)
In the above-described embodiment, each program executed by the CPU 11 of the terminal device 10, the CPU 21 of the authentication device 20, and the CPU of the image forming apparatus 30 is a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk, an optical recording medium such as an optical disk, It may be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magneto-optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. It is also possible to download this program via a network such as the Internet.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the information processing system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal device of the said information processing system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the authentication apparatus of the said information processing system. It is a figure which shows an example of the authentication table which the said authentication apparatus memorize | stores. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus of the said information processing system. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration table which the said image forming apparatus memorize | stores. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the said image forming apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows the image data storage process by the said information processing system. It is a figure which shows the said registration table after a user ID is added. It is a figure which shows the image data memorize | stored in the said image forming apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows the printing process by the said information processing system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing system, 10 ... Terminal device, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Memory, 13 ... Communication part, 14 ... Memory | storage part, 15 ... Operation part, 16 ... Display part, 20 ... Authentication apparatus, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... Memory, 23 ... Communication unit, 24 ... Storage unit, 30 ... Image forming apparatus, 31 ... Control unit, 32 ... Communication unit, 33 ... Storage unit, 34 ... Display operation unit, 35 ... Image reading unit, 36 ... Image forming unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Reception part 102 ... Data acquisition part 103 ... 1st authentication request part 104 ... Data storage part 105 ... User identification information reacquisition part 106 ... 2nd authentication request part 107 ... Selection reception 108, processing unit 109, history information storage unit.

Claims (8)

Data acquisition means for acquiring data specified by the user and user identification information and authentication information input by the user;
Sending the user identification information and the authentication information acquired by the data acquisition means to the authentication device for storing the user identification information for identifying each user and the authentication information of the user in association with each other, An authentication requesting means for requesting user authentication;
When the authentication of the user by the authentication device is successful, data storage means for storing the data acquired by the data acquisition means and user identification information in association with each other;
User identification information reacquisition means for acquiring user identification information re-input by the user;
When a process using data stored in association with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition unit is instructed, the process is performed using the data stored in the data storage unit. Processing means to perform;
History information storage means for storing history information representing a history of processing performed by the processing means and user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means in association with each other. Information processing apparatus. Data acquisition means for acquiring data specified by the user and user identification information input by the user;
Data storage means for storing the data acquired by the data acquisition means and user identification information in association with each other;
User identification information reacquisition means for acquiring user identification information and authentication information input again by the user;
The user identification information and the authentication information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means are stored in an authentication device that stores the user identification information for identifying each user in association with the authentication information of the user. An authentication request means for sending and requesting user authentication;
When the authentication of the user by the authentication device is successful, when a process using data stored in association with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means is instructed, Processing means for performing the processing using the data stored in the data storage means;
History information storage means for storing history information representing a history of processing performed by the processing means and user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means in association with each other. Information processing apparatus. The data storage means stores the user identification information acquired by the data acquisition means as temporary user identification information with a limited use period,
The history information storage means uses the use acquired by the user identification information re-acquisition means when a process using data stored in the data storage means in association with the temporary user identification information is instructed. Store user identification information as legitimate user identification information with no restrictions on the period of use,
A process using data stored in the data storage unit in association with the temporary user identification information before the use period elapses after the temporary user identification information is stored in the data storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes the temporary user identification information when not instructed. Comprising reading means for reading an image;
The data acquisition unit acquires image data representing an image read by the reading unit,
The data storage means stores the image data acquired by the data acquisition means,
When the processing unit is instructed to perform processing using image data stored in association with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition unit, the processing unit is stored in the data storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing is performed using the image data. When image data is transmitted from the terminal device, the image processing apparatus includes receiving means for receiving the image data.
The data acquisition means acquires the image data received by the reception means;
The data storage means stores the image data acquired by the data acquisition means,
When the processing unit is instructed to perform processing using image data stored in association with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition unit, the processing unit is stored in the data storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing is performed using the image data. A selection receiving unit that receives a selection of image data from the image data stored in the data storage unit in association with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information re-acquisition unit;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit performs a process of forming an image according to image data for which the selection receiving unit has received a selection. Computer
Data acquisition means for acquiring data specified by the user and user identification information and authentication information input by the user;
Sending the user identification information and the authentication information acquired by the data acquisition means to the authentication device for storing the user identification information for identifying each user and the authentication information of the user in association with each other, An authentication requesting means for requesting user authentication;
When the authentication of the user by the authentication device is successful, data storage means for storing the data acquired by the data acquisition means and user identification information in association with each other;
User identification information reacquisition means for acquiring user identification information re-input by the user;
When a process using data stored in association with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition unit is instructed, the process is performed using the data stored in the data storage unit. Processing means to perform;
For functioning as history information storage means for storing history information representing a history of processing performed by the processing means and user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means in association with each other. program. Computer
Data acquisition means for acquiring data specified by the user and user identification information input by the user;
Data storage means for storing the data acquired by the data acquisition means and user identification information in association with each other;
User identification information reacquisition means for acquiring user identification information and authentication information input again by the user;
The user identification information and the authentication information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means are stored in an authentication device that stores the user identification information for identifying each user in association with the authentication information of the user. An authentication request means for sending and requesting user authentication;
When the authentication of the user by the authentication device is successful, when a process using data stored in association with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means is instructed, Processing means for performing the processing using the data stored in the data storage means;
For functioning as history information storage means for storing history information representing a history of processing performed by the processing means and user identification information acquired by the user identification information reacquisition means in association with each other. program.

Images