JP2010263484A - Image forming apparatus, customized screen-updating method, and customized screen-updating program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable operation to be performed on a customized screen which reflects log information of functions, that are used up to the last time, by only having to hold an NFC token up high, in a non-network environment. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes an NFC-R/W 11 capable of reading and writing information from and to an NFC token 10; an operating panel 13; and a storage means 60 for storing customized information 62 for each user. An NFC control section 12 obtains customized information 10c, held in the NFC token 10 by means of NFC, collates the obtained customize information 10c with the customize information 62 held in the storage means 60; displays a customize screen for each user on the operating panel 13; makes the NFC token 10 hold log information at selection on the customized screen; collates customized information for each user, including log information with the customized information 62 stored in the storage means 60; and updates the customized screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a communication function with an NFC authentication device, in particular, an image forming apparatus capable of displaying a user customization screen for an operation display means that is a user interface corresponding to whether or not NFC authentication is possible. The present invention relates to a customization screen update method on an operation display screen, and a customization screen update program for executing update control of the customization screen by a computer.

  In recent years, employee ID cards, student ID cards, commuter passes, wallets, etc. use IC cards that use near field communication technology (NFC) as an ID card to identify individuals. There are a lot of things. The standard called NFC is a communication protocol that uses a 13.56 Hz frequency band by an electromagnetic induction method and is used for short-distance communication at a relatively low speed with a communicable distance of about 10 cm. This standard is set as NFC IP-1 (ISO / IEC18092) and NFC IP-2 (ISO / IEC214484). The NFC functions include a card emulation function, a reader / writer emulation function, and an inter-terminal communication function, as well as an NFC inter-terminal pairing function and a Bluetooth (Bluetooth) handover function as extended functions.

  The card emulation function functions as a non-contact IC card, and corresponds to an IC card / tag of FeliCa standard, Type A standard, Type B standard, and RFID (ISO15693 standard). The reader / writer emulation function functions as a reader / writer, can read and write IC cards and tags corresponding to the above standards, and can be used with mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) that incorporate NFC in smart card chips. This is a function that enables transfer of predetermined information when the standard IC or tag is used. The inter-terminal communication function is a function for transmitting and receiving data between NFC-compatible devices. The pairing function between NFC terminals is a function of performing only pairing or authentication between NFC-compatible devices by NFC, and after pairing or authentication, a large amount of data is communicated by another high-speed standard. As described above, the Bluetooth handover function performs only pairing or authentication between NFC-compatible devices using NFC, and then transmits and receives a large amount of data via Bluetooth. A similar function is a WiFi handover function.

  In the field of computers, device users are restricted by using an IC card having an NFC communication function, and network pairing and association have been realized. Furthermore, this NFC function can be applied not only to the field of computers but also to the use of office equipment equipped with a plurality of copy and facsimile functions in consideration of security.

  The functions that can be used for each user vary depending on the information held in the NFC authentication device (hereinafter referred to as NFC token) possessed by each user, so all the functions possessed by the image forming apparatus are displayed on the operation panel. In this case, it is difficult for the user to determine which functions can be used and which functions cannot be used. If the user makes settings on the operation panel and then displays an error when starting communication, the usability is lacking. To cope with this lack of usability, the operation panel may be customized.

  In an operation panel that is customized after user authentication using an IC card in such an image forming apparatus, Patent Document 1 discloses personal information of a user whose registration has been confirmed, and selects an original customization menu and at least a previous customization menu. The personal information table including the learning menu in which the setting information is registered is acquired from the server, and the acquired customized menu and the setting information of the learning menu are displayed.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 has a means by which user identification information and customization information are recorded in advance on a recording medium such as an IC card so that an operation panel can be customized with the same customization information for a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Are listed.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the customization information on the operation panel and the update information on the customization screen depend on the information stored in the image forming apparatus and the network server, and are updated for a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a non-network environment. There is no support for displaying a customized screen. In the image forming apparatus not connected to the network, the user can use only the default (initial setting) customized screen of the operation panel even if the user performs IC card authentication.

  In the invention of Patent Document 2, the customization information and the update information of the customization screen are recorded on the IC card. However, the update information of the customization screen does not depend on the past use history, and is manually set by the user. To do. That is, means for updating a screen customized for each user on the operation panel in a non-network environment is not supported.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that in a non-network environment, it is possible to operate on a customized screen reflecting the log information of the function used up to the previous time just by passing the NFC token to NFC-R / W. It is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the first means reads information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device and writes information to the short-range wireless communication authentication device, and an operation as a user interface. An image forming apparatus comprising display means and storage means for storing customization information for each user, wherein the customization information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device is acquired by short-range wireless communication. A means for comparing the customization information acquired by the acquisition means with the customization information held in the storage means, and displaying a customization screen for each user on the operation display means; Means for holding log information at the time of being stored in the short-range wireless communication authentication device; Means for collating the customization information for each user including the log information held in the remote radio communication authentication device with the customization information stored in the storage means, and updating the customization screen. It is characterized by.

  The second means is the first means after the short-range wireless communication and before the log information is all written in the short-range wireless communication authentication device. When the communication with the communication authentication device is disconnected, the log information is temporarily stored in the storage unit, and when the user accesses the same image forming apparatus through short-range wireless communication after the disconnection, Means for transferring the log information from the storage means to the short-range wireless communication authentication device.

  According to a third means, in the first means, when the image forming apparatus is connected to a network, after the short distance wireless communication is performed, all the log information is the short distance wireless communication authentication device. When the communication between the reader / writer and the short-range wireless communication authentication device is disconnected before being written to the network, the log information is temporarily stored in a network server. And a means for transferring the log information from the storage means in the image forming apparatus to the short-range wireless communication authentication device when accessing the forming apparatus.

  The fourth means includes user authentication means for authenticating a user based on user identification information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device in the first or second means, and the means for displaying includes When the user authentication means cannot acquire the user identification information, the operation display means displays that the authentication has failed, and when the authentication is successful, the user's customization based on the customized information of the authenticated user It is characterized by displaying a screen.

  A fifth means is that, in the first or second means, when the customization information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device cannot be obtained by the obtaining means, the means for displaying is replaced with the customization screen. The operation display means displays a reading error, and then a general-purpose operation display screen generally used is displayed.

  Sixth means is the first or second means, when there is no user log information in the short-range wireless communication authentication device or in the storage means, or the means for acquiring is the short-range wireless communication authentication device When the log information cannot be acquired from the log, the display means displays a preset standard customization screen, and when the log information exists and the log information can be acquired, the log information is customized based on the log information. The screen is updated, and the updated customized screen is displayed.

  The seventh means reads information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device, and also writes a reader / writer for writing information to the short-range wireless communication authentication device, an operation display means as a user interface, A customization screen update method in an image forming apparatus comprising: storage means for storing customization information, wherein the customization information held in the near field communication authentication device is acquired by near field communication, and The acquired customization information is compared with the customization information held in the storage means, a customization screen for each user is displayed on the operation display means, and log information when selected on the customization screen is the short distance Held in the wireless communication authentication device and held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device. And customization information for each user including the log information, against the customized information stored in the storage means, and updates the customization screen.

  The eighth means reads information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device, writes information to the short-range wireless communication authentication device, a reader / writer, an operation display means as a user interface, A storage unit for storing customization information; and a customization screen update program for executing update of a customization screen in an image forming apparatus provided by a computer, wherein the customization information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device is stored A procedure for obtaining by short-range wireless communication, a procedure for comparing the obtained customization information with the customization information held in the storage means, and displaying a customization screen for each user in the operation display means; Log information when selected on the customize screen A procedure to be held in the wireless communication authentication device, customization information for each user including the log information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device, and verification information stored in the storage unit, And a procedure for updating the customization screen.

  In the embodiment described later, the short-range wireless communication authentication device is stored in the NFC token 10, the information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device is stored in the user identification information 10a, log information 10b, and customization information 10c. Is NFC-R / W11, the operation display means is on the operation panel 13, the storage means is 60 (RAM 116 and / or HDD 117), and the means for obtaining by short-range wireless communication is NFC-R / W11 and NFC controller 12. The means for displaying is in the NFC control unit 12, the means for holding the log information in the short-range wireless communication authentication device is in the means 53 for recording the log information in the NFC, the means for updating is in the customized screen generating means 52, Means for transferring the log information from the storage means in the forming apparatus to the near field communication authentication device is a log The means 53 for recording the broadcast on NFC, the user authentication means to the code 51, the corresponding.

  Further, means for acquiring customization information in the first to fifth means by short-range wireless communication, means for displaying a customization screen for each user on the operation display means, and log information when selected on the customization screen is short-range wireless. A means for holding in a communication authentication device, a means for updating a customization screen, a means for transferring log information in a short-range wireless communication authentication device, and a user authentication means for authenticating a user based on user identification information are: NFC controller 12 can be configured by the CPU 102 and a program executed by the CPU 102.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the customization information for each user including the log information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device is compared with the customization information stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, Since the customization screen displayed on the operation display means of the image forming apparatus is updated, the function log used up to the previous time can be obtained by simply pointing the near field communication authentication device to the reader / writer of the image forming apparatus in a non-network environment. A customization screen reflecting the information is displayed, and operations on the screen can be performed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display state of an operation panel including a display screen unit of the multifunction machine. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the NFC control part (controller in FIG. 2) in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen when user authentication by NFC token fails. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display screen of a general purpose operation panel. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the customization screen displayed by step S7. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display screen when reading of the log information in a NFC token fails in step S9. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen of a personal setting when the detail screen tab is selected on the custom screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a display screen displayed when one of the setting items is selected on the custom screen of FIG. 8, and a tab is touched to the detail screen. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a network system according to a second embodiment in which multifunction devices are connected to a network. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software module configuration focusing on a service module of a multifunction peripheral authentication control service.

  The present invention displays a customized operation screen for each user based on the log information in the NFC token, and enables the user-like operation when the screen is operated by the user. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a multifunction peripheral is described as an example of an image processing apparatus. However, any apparatus may be used as long as the image processing apparatus can display a user interface screen.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The MFP 1 according to the first embodiment can use extended functions such as user authentication, pairing, touch and print, locked print, and pull print using the NFC token 10. Therefore, in the NFC token 10, user identification information 10a, log information 10b, and customization information 10c are recorded. The user identification information 10a is literally information for identifying the user, the log information 10b is information regarding a log when the user has executed a function in the past, and the customization information 10c is a user who has identified a function that can be used by the user. It is unique information.

  The multifunction device 1 includes an NFC reader / writer device (hereinafter referred to as NFC-R / W) 11, an NFC control unit 12, and an operation panel 13. The NFC control unit 12 includes a user authentication unit 51, a customized screen generation unit. 52, means 53 for recording the log information 10b in NFC, means 54 for saving the log information 10b in the image forming apparatus, and user authentication information 61 and customization information 62 are stored in the storage means 60. The storage means 60 is set in a RAM 116 or HDD 117 described later. The NFC-R / W 11 can interface with the NFC token 10, and the operation panel 13 functions as a user interface.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1 in FIG. The multi-function device 1 basically includes a controller 100, an operation panel 13, a fax control unit 14, a plotter (plotter engine) 15, a scanner (scanner engine) 16, and other hardware resources 17.

  The controller 100 includes a north bridge (hereinafter referred to as NB) 101, a CPU 102, a RAM 103, and an ASIC 104. The CPU 102, the RAM 103, and the ASIC 104 are connected to the NB 101, respectively. Further, a serial bus 105, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 106, a wireless LAN (Wireless LAN) 106, a USB device 108, a USB host 109, and a memory card I / F 110 are connected to the NB 101 via the PCI bus 111. Used when connecting to communications, network communications, wireless communications, and USB devices. NFC-R / W11 is connected to USB host 109 via USB cable (bus) 112, and IC card 113, REID 114, other NFC-R / W115, mobile phone, PDA, etc. are connected by NFC-R / W11. It is possible to access NFC tokens of mobile devices. The ASIC 104 is connected to the RAM 116 and the HDD 117. Note that an NFC chip set using a smart card chip is mounted on a mobile phone or PDA, and communication using the NFC protocol is possible. The CPU 102 executes a user authentication unit 51, a customized screen generation unit 52, a unit 53 for recording the log information 10b in the NFC, and a unit 54 for storing the log information 10b in the image forming apparatus set in the NFC control unit 12. The storage unit 60 is realized as a function of a memory used by the CPU 102.

  Hardware such as the fax control unit 14, the plotter 15, the scanner 16, and other hardware resources 17 are connected to the ASIC 104 via the PCI bus 118, and the operation panel 13 is directly connected to the ASIC 104 without passing through the PCI bus 118. It is connected.

  In the controller 100, the CPU 102 controls each unit connected via the NB 101, and the ASIC 104 executes preset control for the hardware group. The CPU 102 develops a program stored in a ROM or HDD 117 (not shown) in the RAM 103, and executes control based on the program while using the RAM 103 as a work area and a data buffer. The RAM 116 is a memory for storing temporary data in the process of executing control, and the HDD 107 is a hard disk device as a nonvolatile storage device capable of storing a large amount of data. The RAM 116 or the HDD 107 functions as the storage unit 60 in FIG.

  The serial bus 105 is used for serial communication with an external device. The NIC 106 is an expansion card for connecting to a LAN, and the WLAN 107 is an expansion card for connecting to a wireless LAN. A LAN connection is made to each of 111. The USB device 108 is a device for USB connection. A memory card is inserted into the memory card I / F 110 as necessary, and connection to the PCI bus 111 is achieved.

  The operation panel 13 is a so-called operation display unit, and is a user interface that can be input together with message display. The fax control unit 14 enables G3 and G4 fax communications, and the plotter 15 prints an image on a recording sheet and functions as an output resource of the image forming apparatus. The scanner 16 is an optical reading device that reads a visible image such as an original or a barcode, and functions as an input resource for read data of the image forming apparatus. Other hardware resources 17 include peripheral devices such as a paper feeding device, a finisher, a folding device, a cover feeder, and a mail box.

  As described above, the NFC-R / W 11 connected to the USB host 109 is used for accessing the NFC token 10. At that time, the CPU 102 is connected to the NFC-R / W 11 via the north bridge 101, the PCI bus 111, and the USB host 109 by the USB cable 112, and by transmitting a command from the CPU 102 to the NFC-R / W 11 This is realized by controlling the NFC-R / W 11 to communicate with the NFC token 10 such as the IC card 113 or REID 114. Data such as network association information, pairing information, user authentication information, and key information for accessing the authentication information is transmitted and received through the communication path with the USB host 109. For this reason, there is a concern about leakage of information due to the USB cable 112 being monitored. Therefore, this is dealt with by encrypting the transmission and reception of commands and data on the USB. Before encryption, authentication is performed with the NFC-R / W11, and a common key obtained from the result is generated. The USB cable 112 is secured by performing encryption and decryption using a common key.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the first embodiment. The multi-function device 1 basically includes a controller unit CR and an engine unit EN, and physical printing, reading, and other processes are executed by the engine unit EN based on the control of the controller unit CR.

  The controller CR has a configuration in which a service layer 20 and an application layer 30 are provided on the operation system OS. The service layer 20 includes a system control service 21, a fax control service 22, an engine control service 23, a memory control service 24, an operation Each unit includes a control service 25, a network control service 26, and an authentication control service 27. The application layer 30 set thereon is provided with a copy application 31, a fax application 32, a printer application 33, and a web application 34. The engine unit EN is connected to the controller unit CR via the engine I / F 18 via the engine control board 19, and the plotter engine 15, the scanner engine 16, and other hardware resources 17 are controlled by the engine control board 19.

  With this configuration, the multi-function device 1 can process the applications 31, 32, 33, and 34 such as copy, fax, printer, and web, and uses these applications. Personal authentication is performed by the authentication control service 27. At that time, the user can use these applications 31, 32, 33, and 34 only after the network association, pairing, or personal authentication is successful by the authentication control service 27.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display state of the operation panel 13 including the display screen unit of the multifunction machine 1. In the first embodiment, the operation display unit 13 itself has a touch panel configuration, and an instruction input or a selection input is performed by touching or pressing a predetermined area of the displayed screen. FIG. 4 shows a screen when the IC card 113 is placed on the NFC-R / W 11 and the NFC-R / W 11 recognizes the NFC token 10 in the IC card 113.

  On the display screen 13-1 of the operation display unit 13 of FIG. 4, a message 13-2, “NFC token recognized.... Recognizing”, cancel tab 13-3 and cancel tab 13-4 are displayed. Has been. The cancellation tab 13-3 is a tab to be pressed when the user recognizes that the recognized NFC token 10 is wrong and uses the correct NFC token 10 again. After depressing this tab, if the correct NFC token 10 is transferred to the NFC-R / W 11, the correct NFC token 10 can be subsequently recognized. On the other hand, the stop tab 13-4 is erroneously made to recognize the NFC token 10 in the first place, and is pressed when the NFC token 10 ends the recognition process.

  In the first embodiment, the user identification information 10a in the NFC token 10 and the user authentication information 61 registered in the storage unit 60 of the multifunction device 1 are collated to perform user authentication. The customization information 10c in 10 is collated with the customization information 62 held in the storage means 60 in the multifunction device 1. Here, the customization information 10c in the NFC token 10 records which functions the user can use and which functions cannot be used. A customized screen including information identifying the functions usable and unusable by the user is displayed on the operation panel 13 by this collation. While the multifunction device 1 is in use, communication between the NFC-R / W 11 and the NFC token 10 is maintained, and log information when selected on the customization screen is recorded in the NFC token 10.

  By providing the MFP 1 with such a function, the user can carry the log information 10b. If the MFP 1 has the same function and the user authentication information 61 is already registered, the connected NFC- The customization screen reflecting the log information of the function used up to the previous time can be displayed without connecting to the network by simply placing the NFC token 10 in the R / W 11.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the NFC control unit 12 (corresponding to the controller 100 in FIG. 2) in FIG. In the figure, when the NFC-R / W11 is connected to the device and the NFC-R / W11 is usable after the system is started, the NFC token 10 is defeated by the NFC-R / W11. The user's personal information in 10 is read (step S1). Next, user authentication is performed based on the read user identification information 10a (step S2).

  If the user authentication is successful in step S2, the customization information 10c in the NFC token 10 is acquired (step S3), and the customization information 10c in the NFC token 10 and the customization information 62 in the multifunction device are collated (step S4). . Then, it is checked whether or not the log information 10b is recorded in the NFC token 10 (step S5). If the log information 10b is recorded, the log information is acquired (S6), and the customized screen updated with the log information is displayed. (S7). Thereafter, an execution log when the user uses the function is recorded in the NFC token 10 (S8). On the other hand, if the log information is not recorded in the NFC token 10 in step S5 (step S5-NO), an initial customization screen is displayed on the operation panel (S9), and the execution log when the user uses the function Is recorded in the NFC token 10 (S8).

  On the other hand, if authentication fails in step S2, an authentication failure screen is displayed (step S10), and then a general screen is displayed on the operation panel 13 (step 11).

  FIG. 6 is a display screen when user authentication using the NFC token 10 has failed, and a confirmation tab 13-6 for inputting that the user has acknowledged is displayed together with a message 13-5 “authentication failed”. The Therefore, when the user touches the confirmation tab 13-6, the authentication process is terminated at this point, and the display screen of the general-purpose operation panel 13 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Here, the display screen of the general-purpose operation panel 13 is a display of a copy screen 13-7. In the copy screen 13-7, a color tab 13-8a for selecting a color type, a monochrome tab 13-b, and a single color tab. 13-9a, two-color tab 13-9b, character (original) tab 13-10a for selecting the type of original, photo (original) tab 13-10b, character / photo (original) tab 13-10c, and density adjustment A tab 13-11 is set, and a paper size selection tab 13-12 for selecting a paper size for creating a copy, a scaling factor selection tab 13-13 for selecting a scaling factor, and a copy type for selecting a copy type. Selection tabs 13-14 are displayed in separate areas of the display screen. In this example, four types of copy, single-sided printing, double-sided printing, consolidated copy, and sort copy, are selected. Further, the single color tab 13-9a and the two color tab 13-9b are enabled and can be selected when the color tab 13-8a is selected. In this display screen, the black tabs and the highlighted tabs that are white characters are selected in the initial settings.

  When the density adjustment tab 13-11, the aggregation tab 13-14a, and the sort tab 13-14b are selected from the screen of FIG. 7, the display screen of the lower hierarchy is further displayed, and further detailed settings can be made from the display screen. It becomes. Hereinafter, the setting state selected in FIG. 7 is set as an initial setting. Which tab is selected in the initial setting depends on the setting of the multi-function peripheral that displays the screen in FIG. FIG. 6 is also a display example of a display screen when user authentication is not executed.

  In the first embodiment, after user authentication is performed by NFC communication (step S2-YES), before all log information is written (step S8), the NFC-R / W 11 and the NFC token 10 When the communication is cut off, the log information is temporarily recorded in the memory (RAM 116 or HDD 117) in the multifunction device 1 by means 54 for storing the log information, and the next time the user accesses the same multifunction device 1 by NFC communication. In addition, the log information is transferred from the memory (RAM 116 or HDD 117) in the multifunction device 1 into the NFC token 10. As a result, even when the user deceives the NFC token 10 only at the time of access, it is possible to display a customization screen reflecting the log information of the function used until the previous time.

  Note that the customization screen displayed in step S7 is, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. In the customization screen shown in FIG. 8, the first to third personal setting tabs 13-15a, 15b, 15c, the first to third frequently used setting tabs 13-16a, 16b, 16c, and the initial setting tab 13- 17 and a tab 13-18 is displayed on the detail screen. In this example, the first personal setting tab (personal setting tab 1) 13-15a is highlighted in accordance with the acquired log information, indicating that the personal setting corresponds to the acquired log information. Therefore, if the detail screen tab 13-18 is selected in the state of FIG. 8, a pre-registered personal setting screen corresponding to the first personal setting tab 13-15a, for example, the display screen shown in FIG. Screen) is displayed, and an execution key (start key) (not shown) is pressed to form an image with a function desired by the user without troublesome settings and selection operations.

  Note that when there is no user log information in the NFC token 10 or in the multifunction device 1, or when the multifunction device 1 fails to read the log information 10b in the NFC token 10 (step S5-NO), FIG. When the message 13-5 ′ “reading error” is displayed as shown in FIG. 9 and the confirmation tab 13-6 is touched, the screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. In the display screen 13, the first to third frequently used setting tabs 13-16a ', 16b', 16c 'depending on the log information in the screen of FIG. 8 are ghosted and cannot be selected.

  In the custom screen of FIG. 8, the user sets one of the setting items as the first personal setting tab 13-15a, the first to third personal setting tabs 13-15a, 15b, 15c, and the first to third usages. When a setting to be used is selected from the frequently used setting tabs (setting tabs based on log information) 13-16a, 16b, 16c, or the initial setting tab 13-17, and the tab 13-18 is touched on the detailed screen, for example, FIG. The screen changes as shown in FIG. This display screen has a layout similar to the general-purpose screen shown in FIG. 7, and reflects the setting information. In this display screen, if there is a function that is not permitted by the authenticated user, the tab is displayed as a ghost and is not selectable. In the example of FIG. 11, the color tab 13-8a is displayed as a ghost, and color copying is not possible for this user.

  Note that the personal setting registration information can be changed by making an arbitrary setting on this display screen and then touching and inputting the personal setting registration key 13-19. When the tab 13-20 is touched on the setting selection screen, the display screen is changed to the screen of FIG. 8 and the setting selection screen is displayed, and any setting tab can be selected from this screen.

The second embodiment of the present invention is an example when the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment is connected to a network.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a network system according to the second embodiment in which the multifunction peripheral 1 is connected to the network. In this figure, in this system, an access point 2, a network terminal device 3, a network server 4, a PC 5, and the like are communicably connected to a multifunction device 1 via a network 8. Further, NFC-R / Ws 11 and 11 a that can interface with the NFC token 10 are connected to the image forming apparatus 1 and the PC 5, respectively. The network 8 is, for example, a wired LAN or a wireless LAN, and a combination thereof may be used.

  The NFC-R / W 11, 11a connected to the MFP 1 and the PC 5 can perform NFC communication with the NFC token 10, and the NFC token 10 falls within the communication distance of the NFC-R / W 11, 11a. Is communicated with. In the NFC token 10, the user's network setting information and the user's own personal authentication information are recorded. When the content recorded in the NFC token 10 is acquired by the NFC-R / W11 or 11a, the NFC-R / W11 or 11a is connected to the NFC-R / W11 or 11a. Network association, pairing, or authentication processing is performed in the machine 1 or the PC 5. When the network association, pairing, or authentication process is successful, the user who has been authenticated by the NFC token 10 can start using the multifunction device 1. Alternatively, data communication can be performed with a device connected to the network. The NFC token 10 may be mounted on the mobile phone 6 or the PDA 7 in addition to the card mounted device such as an IC card.

  In the second embodiment, the NFC chip sets 6a and 7a using smart card chips are mounted on the mobile phone 6 and the PDA 7, and communication using the NFC protocol is possible. In this embodiment, communication with any device connected to the network 8 via the NFC-R / W 11, 11a is possible.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a software module configuration focusing on the service module of the authentication control service 27.
In this figure, in this software module, an NFC resource manager 27-2, a network library 27-5, an address book DB 27-7, and a drawing processing module 27-10 are arranged under the NFC framework 27-1. Further, an NFC-R / W device driver 27-3 and a USB host device driver 27-4 are located below the NFC resource manager 27-2. Further, the wireless module 27-6 is located under the network library 27-5, the file system 27-8 and the HDD driver 29-9 are located under the address book DB 27-7, and the drawing processing module 27- The graphic driver 27-11 is located below the application 10, and the application 30 executes the applications 31, 32, 33, and 34 based on the NFC framework 27-1.

  In the second embodiment, the NFC framework 27-1 receives an authentication request from the application 30, performs display processing on the operation display unit 13 via the drawing processing module 27-10 and the graphic driver 27-11, and the NFC source manager 27. -2 acquires network setting information and authentication information (user identification information 10a, log information 10b, customization information 10c) from the NFC token 10, and uses the network library 27-5 to acquire the acquired information as a wireless module 27-6. And / or an inquiry is made to the external access point 2, an inquiry is made to the address book DB 27-7, or an inquiry is made to the network server 4. Then, the detailed information in the middle of the NFC framework inquiry and the result, the network setting and authentication success or failure are output to the application 30.

  Further, the log information 10b is temporarily recorded in the network server 4, and the log information 10b is transferred from the network server 4 to the NFC token 10 when the next user accesses the same multifunction device 1 by NFC communication. As a result, the means 54 for storing the log information 10b of the NFC control unit 12 of the multifunction machine in the first embodiment is equivalent to that provided in the network server 4, and the configuration of the first embodiment is directly connected to the network. Can be realized.

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
1) Since the customization information 10c and the log information 10b are held in the NFC token 10, if the multifunction device 1 has registered personal information, the user simply passes the NFC token 10 to the NFC-R / W 11 to connect to another PC. Even in a non-network environment that does not go through a server or a server, it is possible to perform an operation on a customization screen reflecting the log information 10b of the function used so far.
2) On the customization screen, a function that can be used by a user can be distinguished from a function that cannot be used, and it is possible to eliminate waste of setting an unusable function.
3) Even when the NFC communication with the NFC token 10 is disconnected while the multifunction device 1 is in use, the log information used during the communication is recorded in the NFC token 10 owned by the user when the multifunction device 1 is used next time. can do.
4) If the authentication of the NFC token 10 fails, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation panel 13 and then a general display screen is displayed. Therefore, immediately after the user recognizes the authentication failure, the desired function is displayed. You can enter settings.
5) When the authentication of the NFC token 10 is successful and the customization information and log information held in the NFC token 10 can be acquired, the updated customization screen is displayed based on the log information, so that the user has been updated Subsequent operations can be performed from the customization screen, and waste can be eliminated.
6) When the authentication of the NFC token 10 is successful and the log information of the customization information held in the NFC token 10 cannot be acquired, it is not a general-purpose display screen and does not depend on the log information. Since the initial customization screen that disables the setting is displayed, it is not necessary to set an unusable function, and accordingly, waste can be saved.
There are effects such as.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, All the technical matters contained in the technical idea of the invention described in the claim are object.

1 MFP 10 NFC token 10a User identification information 10b Log information 10c, 62 Customized information 11 NFC-R / W
12 NFC Control Unit 13 Operation Panel 51 User Authentication Unit 52 Customized Screen Generation Unit 53 Unit for Recording Log Information in NFC 60 Storage Unit 100 Controller 102 CPU
104 ASIC
116 RAM
117 HDD

JP 2005-198141 A JP 2007-055099 A

Claims (8)

A reader / writer that reads information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device and writes information to the short-range wireless communication authentication device;
Operation display means as a user interface;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
Storage means for storing customization information for each user;
Means for acquiring the customization information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device by short-range wireless communication;
Means for collating the customization information acquired by the acquisition means with the customization information held in the storage means, and displaying a customization screen for each user on the operation display means;
Means for retaining in the short-range wireless communication authentication device log information when selected on the customization screen;
Means for checking the customization information for each user including the log information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device and the customization information stored in the storage means, and updating the customization screen;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
After performing near field communication, when communication between the reader / writer and the near field communication authentication device is disconnected before all the log information is written to the near field communication authentication device, The log information is temporarily stored in the storage means, and when the user accesses the same image forming apparatus by short-range wireless communication after the disconnection, the short-range wireless communication authentication device is stored in the image forming apparatus from the storage means. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for transferring the log information therein. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
When the image forming apparatus is connected to the network, the reader / writer and the near field communication device are connected to the reader / writer after the near field communication is performed and before all the log information is written to the near field communication authentication device. When communication with a distance wireless communication authentication device is disconnected, the log information is temporarily stored in a network server, and after the disconnection, when the user accesses the same image forming apparatus through short-range wireless communication, the network server An image forming apparatus comprising: means for transferring the log information from the storage means in the image forming apparatus to the near field communication authentication device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
User authentication means for authenticating a user based on user identification information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device;
When the user authentication unit cannot acquire the user identification information, the means for displaying causes the operation display unit to display that the authentication has failed, and when the authentication is successful, the customization information of the authenticated user An image forming apparatus for displaying a customization screen of the user based on the above. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
When the customization information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device cannot be obtained by the obtaining means, the means for displaying causes the operation display means to display a reading error instead of the customization screen, Then, a general-purpose operation display screen that is generally used is displayed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
When there is no user log information in the short-range wireless communication authentication device or in the storage means, or when the acquisition means cannot acquire log information from the short-range wireless communication authentication device, the means for displaying When the set standard customization screen is displayed and the log information exists and the log information can be acquired, the customization screen is updated based on the log information, and the updated customization screen is displayed. An image forming apparatus. A reader / writer that reads information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device and writes information to the short-range wireless communication authentication device;
Operation display means as a user interface;
Storage means for storing customization information for each user;
A method for updating a customization screen in an image forming apparatus comprising:
Obtaining the customization information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device by short-range wireless communication;
The acquired customization information is compared with the customization information held in the storage means, and a customization screen for each user is displayed on the operation display means,
Log information when selected on the customization screen is held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device,
The customized screen for each user including the log information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device is compared with the customization information stored in the storage unit, and the customization screen is updated. Method for updating customized screen in forming apparatus. A reader / writer that reads information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device and writes information to the short-range wireless communication authentication device;
Operation display means as a user interface;
Storage means for storing customization information for each user;
A customization screen update program for executing update of a customization screen in an image forming apparatus provided with a computer,
Obtaining the customization information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device by short-range wireless communication;
A procedure for collating the acquired customization information with the customization information held in the storage means, and displaying a customization screen for each user on the operation display means;
A procedure for retaining log information when selected on the customization screen in the short-range wireless communication authentication device;
A procedure for checking the customization information for each user including the log information held in the short-range wireless communication authentication device, the customization information stored in the storage unit, and updating the customization screen;
A customized screen update program characterized by comprising:

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