JP2011028318A - Image forming apparatus, system for utilizing the same, and image data generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can change a scenario within the range of the use authority of a user under a constraint by a direct service. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 100 transmits image data and a scenario to an image distribution device 13 having a scenario determination means 41 for determining the validity of a scenario and a distribution means 42 for distributing image data based on distribution setting when the scenario is legal. The image forming apparatus 100 includes: a use authority information storage means 38; a scenario calling means 37; an execution propriety determination means 35 for determining whether the execution of the scenario called by the scenario calling means is permitted by the use authority information; a setting changing means 34 for, when it is determined that the execution of the scenario is impossible by the execution propriety determination means, changing the scenario within the range permitted by the use authority information; a scenario storage requesting means 36 for making the scenario storage device 12 store the changed scenario; and a transmission mens 32 for transmitting the changed scenario to the image distribution device 42. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that generates image data based on a scenario, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus utilization system, and an image data generation method that make it easy to change a scenario.

  In a network system, a directory service (a service in which user information on a computer network such as a LAN, a connected printer, a fax machine, etc. is stored and made searchable, such as “Active Directory”) is used. is there. If a directory service and a management server that manages the directory service are used, a document distribution system capable of managing users and distribution methods in an integrated manner can be realized. Based on the device information and status of the scanner and the device on which the scanner is mounted (for example, MFP) monitored by the management server, the IT administrator selects a scenario (a set of reading condition settings, distribution methods, and distribution destination users). It becomes possible to register or to register users who can use the scenario. A user can set a scenario in the MFP and read a document under the scenario conditions (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, when a user ID is input to a scanner, the scanner transmits the user ID to the scan server via the network, and the scan server matches the transmitted user ID. There is disclosed an image reading system that determines whether an ID is registered in an internal memory and transmits reading information corresponding to a user ID to a scanner when the ID is registered.

  By the way, management awareness regarding the use of MFPs and the like is increasing, and there are cases where the use authority for each user is registered in each MFP. As the usage authority, for example, resolution, color type, paper size, and the like that can be set at the time of reading by the scanner are registered for each user. Therefore, when the user sets a scenario from the scan server to the MFP, the scenario content may conflict with the use authority, and the user may not be able to use the scenario. That is, the directory service cannot be used effectively because the scenario cannot be used even if it is called.

  When creating a scenario, the IT administrator may grasp the usage authority of all MFPs for each user and create a scenario that does not exceed the usage authority, but it is actually difficult because the work content becomes complicated .

  On the other hand, it is possible to allow users to change scenarios within the scope of usage rights, but there are many restrictions on changing the scenarios, and depending on the directory service, scenario changes can be made even within the scope of usage rights. May not be allowed. In this case, even if the user executes the changed scenario and operates the MFP, there is a problem that the use of image data is prohibited by the scan server.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus utilization system, and an image data generation method capable of changing a scenario within the scope of a user's usage authority under the restrictions of a directory service. To do.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a scenario transmitted from the image forming apparatus to a scenario storage device that stores a scenario including a reading setting and a distribution setting for distributing image data for each user of the image forming apparatus. An image distribution apparatus having scenario determination means for determining the legitimacy of the scenario based on whether or not is stored, and distribution means for distributing image data based on distribution settings when the scenario is valid, An image forming apparatus for transmitting data and a scenario, wherein usage authority information storage means storing usage authority information for each user, scenario calling means for calling a user-usable scenario from the scenario storage means, and the scenario Execution propriety judgment for judging whether or not execution of the scenario called by the calling means is permitted by the usage right information And a setting change means for changing a scenario within a range permitted by the usage authority information, and a scenario changed by the setting change means when the execution permission determination means determines that the execution is impossible. A scenario storage request unit for storing the scenario, and a transmission unit for transmitting the scenario changed by the setting change unit to the image distribution apparatus.

  By storing the changed scenario in the scenario storage unit, the image distribution device can verify the validity of the scenario based on whether or not the scenario transmitted from the image forming device is stored in the scenario storage device. When determining, it can be determined that there is legitimacy.

  It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus utilization system, and an image data generation method capable of changing a scenario within the range of the use authority of the user under the restriction by the direct service.

1 is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus utilization system. FIG. 3 is an example of a diagram schematically illustrating an operation of an image forming apparatus utilization system. 1 is an example of a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. It is an example of the hardware block diagram of SMC, AD, and an image delivery server. 1 is an example of a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus utilization system. It is a figure which shows an example of the scenario registered into scenario DB. It is a figure which shows an example of the usage authority information memorize | stored in usage authority information DB. It is an example of the figure which shows typically an example of scenario DB in which the changed scenario was registered. FIG. 11 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for registering a scenario in consideration of the capability of the image forming apparatus n by the image forming apparatus utilization system. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a scenario change and validity determination procedure (Example 1); It is a figure which shows an example of a scenario list screen. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a scenario change and validity determination procedure (second embodiment). It is an example of the figure explaining transition of scenario DB. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for changing a scenario and determining validity (Example 3). It is a figure which shows an example of a deletion inquiry screen. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for scenario change and validity determination (Example 4). It is an example of the figure explaining transition of scenario DB. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a scenario change and validity determination procedure (Example 5). It is a figure which shows an example of an overwrite notification screen. (Example 6) which is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the change procedure of a scenario, and the determination procedure of correctness. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration method selection screen of a change scenario. (Example 7) which is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the change procedure of a scenario, and the determination procedure of correctness. It is a figure which shows an example of a scenario change confirmation screen

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows an example of a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus utilization system 100 of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus utilization system 100 includes a scenario creation apparatus 11 (hereinafter referred to as “SMC” 11) for creating a scenario (a scenario will be described later), and a scenario registration apparatus 12 (hereinafter referred to as “SMC” 11) that accepts the registration of the scenario and stores the scenario. , “AD” 12), providing device capability information (information such as whether color reading is possible, some maximum resolution, etc.) necessary for the SMC 11 to create a scenario, and Image forming apparatuses 1, 2, 3... (Which are referred to as image forming apparatus 13 if not distinguished from each other) that read the original and send the image data and scenario generated thereby to the image distribution server 14, are transmitted from the image forming apparatus 13. After receiving the image data and the scenario and determining the legitimacy of the scenario, the image data is processed by the delivery method specified in the scenario. An image distribution server 14 for performing image transmission, etc.) to another information processing apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the SMC 11, AD 12, and image distribution server 14 are handled as separate computers, but the functions of each device can be integrated into one or two computers. The function of each device can be implemented as application software, for example, and a computer can provide a function necessary for each device.

  Hereinafter, an operator who operates the SMC 11 when registering a scenario is referred to as an administrator, and an operator who operates the image forming apparatus 13 when using a scenario is referred to as a user. In this embodiment, scanning conditions are taken as an example, but copying conditions and printing conditions may be included.

2A to 2C are examples of diagrams schematically showing the operation of the image forming apparatus utilization system 100. FIG.
(A1) The administrator creates a scenario by operating the SMC 11. Although the scenario will be described later, the scenario is information such as “reading setting”, “distribution setting”, “user name”, “password”, “model”, and “device identifier” of the image forming apparatus 13.

  The SMC 11 has a user interface called “scanner management console” that is implemented as one function or application software of a specific OS (for example, an OS having a function equivalent to or higher than Windows (registered trademark) VISTA, 7). The scanner management console is an aspect of a user interface for an administrator to communicate with the image forming apparatus 13 and the AD 12 and to set various information. The SMC 11 and the image forming apparatus 13 communicate with each other using a predetermined protocol (for example, WS-EWS).

In order to create a scenario, the capability information of the image forming apparatus 13 is required. For this reason, the SMC 11 receives the operation of the administrator, and inquires the image forming apparatus 13 about the capability information and the state possessed by the image forming apparatus 13 (FIG. 2A).
(A2) When the SMC 11 requests the image forming apparatus 13 to provide the capability information that the image forming apparatus 13 has, the image forming apparatus 13 provides the capability information of its own device to the SMC 11 in response to the request. To do. Note that the SMC 11 may receive the capability information of the image forming apparatus 13 before the administrator performs a scenario creation operation or when the scenario creation is attempted.

The SMC 11 displays the capability information received from the image forming apparatus 13 on the display. The administrator can register the reading setting within a range not exceeding the capability based on the capability information. Further, the administrator registers “user name”, “password”, and the like of the user who uses the distribution setting and the reading setting.
(A3) Then, the SMC 11 registers a scenario in which various types of information are registered in the AD 12. The AD 12 saves (stores) this. The AD 12 manages PCs, scanners, printers, copiers, facsimiles, etc. connected to a plurality of networks as a hierarchical structure of domains (user and computer management units). For example, a scanner that can be connected from a certain PC can be defined. This is the flow of processing related to scenario registration.

  As will be described later, when one scenario is generated for an image forming apparatus 1, the SMC 11 applies the scenario to the other image forming apparatuses 2, 3,... To create a new scenario. Therefore, when a scenario of one image forming apparatus 1 is registered in AD 12, a scenario that can be the same in other image forming apparatuses 2, 3... Can be automatically registered in AD 12.

Next, the flow regarding the use of the scenario will be described (FIGS. 2B and 2C).
(B1) The user inputs an authentication operation to the image forming apparatus 13 (logs in), and the image forming apparatus 13 acquires a scenario that can be used by the logged-in user from the AD 12. Since a user who can use the scenario is associated with the scenario, only the scenario associated with the user who uses the image forming apparatus 13 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 13.
(B2) The user scans the document by selecting a scenario from the operation panel 57 of the image forming apparatus 13 and pressing the start key. Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 13 based on the scenario is referred to as “execute the scenario”.
(B3) When executing the scenario, the image forming apparatus 13 refers to the usage authority of the user from the usage authority information DB 38 and determines whether the scenario is within the usage authority range. If it is within the range of use authority, the image forming apparatus 13 executes the scenario as it is. If the usage authority is not within the range, the image forming apparatus 13 executes the scenario after changing the scenario so as not to exceed the usage authority. Therefore, even if the scenario is not within the range of the usage authority, the user can execute the scenario as long as the usage authority is not exceeded.
(B4) The image forming apparatus utilization system 100 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the scenario changed by the image forming apparatus 13 is registered in the AD 12.
(B5) The image forming apparatus 13 sets the changed scenario as a reading condition and transmits the read image data and the changed scenario to the image distribution server 14. The image forming apparatus 13 and the image distribution server 14 communicate by a predetermined protocol (for example, WS-EWS) (FIG. 2C).
(B6) The image distribution server 14 determines whether or not the scenario received together with the image data is registered in the AD 12. By this determination, the use of the image forming apparatus 13 that is not registered as a scenario is excluded, and the use of the image forming apparatus 13 is managed (scenario validity determination).

Accordingly, by registering the scenario changed by the image forming apparatus 13 in the AD 12, the scenario is valid when the image distribution server 14 determines whether the scenario received together with the image data is registered in the AD 12. The image distribution server 14 can distribute the image data. That is, the scenario can be changed within the range of the use authority of the user even if there is a restriction that the legitimacy is determined.
(B7) The image distribution server 14 performs processing such as distributing image data based on the distribution setting (distribution method, distribution destination) described in the scenario. As shown in the figure, the delivery method is, for example, “Scan To E-mail”, “Scan To FileShare”, “Scan To SharePoint”, or the like.

[Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 13]
FIG. 3 shows an example of a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 13. The image forming apparatus 13 is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) having a scanner 69, a printer 67, and a FAX control unit 68. In this embodiment, the MFP is described as an MFP, but it is sufficient that the scanner 69 is mounted at a minimum.

  The image forming apparatus 13 further includes a controller 51 and an operation panel 57. The controller 51 includes a CPU 52, a system memory 54, an NB (North Bridge) 53, an SB (South Bridge) 59, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 58, a local memory 55, an HDD 56, and an NIC (Network Interface). Card) 61, USB device 62, IEEE device 63, and Centronics device 64.

  For example, the storage medium 65 is detachable from the USB device 62, and the program 66 stored in the storage medium 65 is installed from the storage medium 65 to the HDD 56. The program 66 may be installed in the HDD 56 from a server (not shown) via the NIC 61.

  The CPU 52 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 13. For example, the CPU 52 starts and executes a process on the OS. NB53 is a bridge. The SB 59 is a bridge for connecting the PCI bus, ROM, peripheral devices, and the like. The system memory 54 is a memory used as a drawing memory of the image forming apparatus 13. The local memory 55 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.

  The ASIC 58 is an IC for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing. The HDD 56 is an example of a storage (auxiliary storage device) that stores image data, document data, a program 66, font data, and the like. The NIC 61 is an interface device that connects the image forming apparatus 13 to a network. The USB device 62, the IEEE 1394 device 63, and the Centronics device 64 are interfaces conforming to the respective standards, and are connected to a PC to receive print data and the like.

  The operation panel 57 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from the user and performs display for the user. The operation panel 57 has a touch panel integrally and has hard keys around the touch panel. The printer 67 is a black-and-white plotter and / or a color plotter, and forms an image for each page based on print job data and image data read by the scanner 69, and transfers the image onto a sheet. For example, a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum or the like is transferred onto a sheet using an electrophotographic process using a laser beam, and is fixed by a fixing device with heat and pressure and output.

  The scanner 69 optically scans a document placed on the contact glass, A / D converts the reflected light, and performs image area separation, background removal processing, γ conversion, isolated point removal processing, color Image processing such as conversion processing and scaling processing is performed and converted into digital data of a predetermined resolution to generate image data.

  The FAX control unit 68 is connected to a public communication network via an NCU (Network Control Unit), and performs facsimile transmission / reception according to a communication procedure (communication protocol) corresponding to, for example, a G3 or G4 standard facsimile. Note that the FAX control unit 68 has a memory, and stores, for example, facsimile data received when the power of the image forming apparatus 13 is OFF to temporarily store the facsimile data.

[Hardware Configuration of SMC11, AD12, Image Distribution Server 14]
Each of the SMC 11, AD 12, and image distribution server 14 is a computer having a personal computer, a workstation, or the like as an entity. Since the hardware configuration as a computer is common to the three parties, SMC 11 will be described as an example.

FIG. 4 is an example of a hardware configuration diagram of the SMC 11, AD 12, and image distribution server 14. The SMC 11 has a structure in which a CPU 71 and various ROMs and RAMs that are memories 72 are connected via a bus line. The bus line is connected to an HDD 75, which is a large-capacity storage device, an input device 76 such as a mouse or a keyboard, a monitor control unit 77 for connecting a display 80 such as an LCD or CRT, an optical disk, and the like via a predetermined interface. A storage medium reading device 73 for reading the storage medium 78 is connected, and a predetermined network device 74 for communicating with a network such as the Internet or an external device such as a USB is connected.
In the HDD 75 of the SMC 11, a program 79 for automatically creating a scenario (in the case of SMC 11), a program 79 for registering a scenario (in the case of AD 12), or a program 79 for distributing image data (an image distribution server) 14) are stored. This program 79 is installed in the HDD 75 by being read from the storage medium 78 by the storage medium reader 73 or downloaded from a network such as the Internet. The installation allows the SMC 11 to create a scenario by an administrator and automatically.

  The CPU 71 of the SMC 11 reads the program 79 stored in the HDD 75 and executes it by using the RAM of the memory 72 as a working memory, so that the scenario management unit 21, the scenario creation unit 25, the capability exchange unit 22, and the scenario automatic creation unit 24. And the apparatus search part 23 is implement | achieved.

  Similarly, the CPU 71 of the AD 12 reads the program 79 stored in the HDD 75 and executes it using the RAM of the memory 72 as a working memory, thereby realizing the scenario registration unit 26 and the scenario search unit 29 of FIG. Similarly, the CPU 71 of the image distribution server 14 reads out the program 79 stored in the HDD 75 and executes it using the RAM of the memory 72 as a working memory, thereby realizing the scenario determination unit 41 and the image distribution unit 42 of FIG. To do.

  For example, the network device 74 establishes communication connections between the physical layer and the data link layer among the SMC 11, AD 12, the image distribution server 14, and the image forming device 13 in order to communicate using TCP / IP as a protocol. For example, the AD 12 and the image forming apparatus 13 communicate with each other using a TCP / IP upper layer, for example, LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) as a protocol. LDAP is a general-purpose protocol in the directory service, and is used when searching the AD12 scenario from the image forming apparatus 13.

  As described above, the SMC 11, AD 12, and the image distribution server 14 may be mounted on one computer. The SMC 11 and AD 12 may be mounted on one computer, and the image distribution server 14 may be mounted on another computer. Further, the SMC 11 and the image distribution server 14 may be mounted on one computer, and the AD 12 may be mounted on another computer. Further, the AD 12 and the image distribution server 14 may be mounted on one computer, and the SMC 11 may be mounted on another computer.

[Functional Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus Utilizing System 100]
FIG. 5 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus utilization system 100.

〔scenario〕
First, the scenario will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scenario registered in a scenario DB 28 described later. In the scenario, “read setting”, “distribution setting”, “user name”, “password”, “model”, and “device identifier” are registered. In the “reading setting”, information of “resolution”, “density setting”, “color type”, and “paper size” is registered. “Distribution method” and “distribution destination” are registered in “distribution setting”. The user name is for identifying the user, and the password is for authenticating the user who has logged into the image forming apparatus 13.

  The device identifier is a unique value for each image forming apparatus 13. The device identifier indicates for which image forming apparatus 13 the scenario registered in the scenario DB 28 is generated. In other words, the registered scenario can be used by the image forming apparatus 13 indicated by the device identifier.

  When the image forming apparatus 13 acquires a scenario from the AD 12, it sets it as a parameter for operating the scanner 69. This parameter is set corresponding to each reading condition of “resolution”, “density setting”, “color type”, and “paper size”. Therefore, even if the user does not set the “resolution”, “density setting”, “color type”, and “paper size” by operating the operation panel 57 of the image forming apparatus 13, the image forming apparatus 13 reads the original and reads the image data. Can be generated. Whether or not the user can change a part or all of the reading settings set by the scenario by operating the operation panel 57 depends on the design policy of the directory service. In this embodiment, when the scenario is changed and the scenario transmitted to the image distribution server 14 together with the image data is different from the scenario stored in the AD 12 as a result of the change, the image distribution server 14 distributes the image data. It is supposed not to.

  When the image data and the scenario are transmitted to the image distribution server 14, the image distribution server 14 distributes the image data according to the scenario distribution setting after determining the legitimacy of the scenario. As described above, the scenario is a defining condition that defines from the image data generation method to the distribution method.

<SMC11>
The SMC 11 includes a scenario management unit 21, a capability exchange unit 22, a device search unit 23, a scenario automatic creation unit 24, and a scenario creation unit 25. The SMC 11 creates a scenario and registers it in the AD 12. There are two creation methods, one is a method in which the administrator operates the SMC 11 to create a scenario, and the other is a method in which the SMC 11 automatically creates the same scenario as the scenario created by the administrator.

  The capability exchange unit 22 acquires capability information of the image forming apparatus 13. The capability information is equivalent to the “read setting” of the scenario. For this reason, the capability exchange unit 22 needs installation information of the image forming apparatus 13 connected to the network. The installation information is information for communicating with the image forming apparatus 13 connected to the network, and is, for example, a device identifier, a model, a MAC address, an IP address, or the like of the image forming apparatus 13. Therefore, the capability exchange unit 22 requests the device search unit 23 to provide information on the image forming apparatus 13 in the search target network.

  The device search unit 23 acquires installation information of the search target image forming apparatus 13 in the network. The device search unit 23 requests installation information from the network in the search range set by the administrator to the image forming apparatus 13, for example, the execution control unit 31 using the WS-EWS protocol as described above. For example, the search target image forming apparatus 13 may be limited to a device having a scanner function.

  For example, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) may be used for searching the image forming apparatus 13 by the device search unit 23. SNMP is a protocol for managing a network system by monitoring devices connected to the network via the network. The device search unit 23 transmits a search request to the network, for example, in a broadcast manner.

  Each image forming apparatus 13 stores device information in a database called MIB (Management Information Base) 2. In response to the search request, the image forming apparatus 13 extracts installation information from the device information and transmits it to the device search unit 23. Therefore, in this aspect, the SMC 11 corresponds to an SNMP manager in the SNMP protocol, and the image forming apparatus 13 corresponds to an SNMP agent.

  The device search unit 23 that has acquired the installation information sends the installation information to the capability exchange unit 22. The capability exchange unit 22 requests the capability information from each image forming apparatus 13 in the network using the installation information (particularly, the device identifier, model, MAC address, or IP address). As in the search, the WS-EWS protocol, SNMP and MIB2 may be used, or a protocol such as HTTP or FTP may be used.

  The scenario supervision unit 21 is a control unit related to scenario creation. Specifically, the capability information of the image forming apparatus 13 is acquired from the capability exchanging unit 22, and the scenario creation unit 25 is requested to create a scenario based on the acquired capability information. For example, when the administrator creates a scenario for the image forming apparatus 1 using the SMC 11, the scenario supervision unit 21 sends the scenario created by the administrator to the scenario creation unit 25. The scenario creation unit 25 forms a scenario in a predetermined format and stores it in the memory 72 or the HDD 75. The scenario supervision unit 21 requests the scenario registration unit 26 of the AD 12 to register the scenario created by the scenario creation unit 25.

  When creating a scenario for image forming apparatuses 2, 3... Other than the image forming apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as image forming apparatuses n (n = 2, 3, 4...)), The scenario supervising unit 21 is a scenario creating unit 25. The scenario created by is sent to the scenario automatic creation unit 24. The scenario automatic creation unit 24 requests the scenario creation unit 25 to create a scenario. As described above, the scenario automatic creation unit 24 and the scenario creation unit 25 integrally create a scenario. The scenario creation unit 25 creates a copy of the scenario created by the administrator as a scenario for the image forming apparatus n.

  The procedure for automatic creation is merely an example. For example, the scenario automatic creation unit 24 may automatically create a scenario. In the present embodiment, the scenario creation by the administrator operating the SMC 11 is called scenario creation, and the scenario creation by the SMC 11 from the scenario created by the administrator is called automatic creation.

  The scenario management unit 21 automatically creates a scenario for the image forming apparatus n in several modes.

  a. A scenario is created without considering the capability of the image forming apparatus n.

  b. A scenario is created in consideration of the capability of the image forming apparatus n.

    b1. A scenario is created for an image forming apparatus n of the same model as the image forming apparatus 1.

    b2. A scenario is created for an image forming apparatus n having the same specifications as the image forming apparatus 1.

  In the case of the mode “b”, the scenario creation unit 25 determines whether to create a scenario for the image forming apparatus n, and requests the scenario automatic creation unit 24 to create a scenario when it is determined to create a scenario. To do. By considering the capability as in “b”, the capability that the image forming apparatus n does not have can be prevented from being included in the scenario of the image forming apparatus n.

  By determining whether or not the same model or the same specification, for example, color printing is possible in the image forming apparatus 1 in which the scenario is created by the administrator, but color printing is not possible according to the capability information of the image forming apparatus n. The scenario supervision unit 21 determines not to create a scenario for the image forming apparatus n. Further, for example, the image forming apparatus 1 in which the scenario is created by the administrator is capable of reading at 600 dpi. However, according to the capability information of the image forming apparatus n, when the reading resolution of 400 dpi is the upper limit, the scenario managing unit 21 sets the image forming apparatus. It is determined that n scenarios are not created.

<AD12>
The AD 12 includes a scenario registration unit 26 and a scenario search unit 29, and the scenario registration unit 26 is connected to the scenario DB 28. The scenario registration unit 26 of the AD 12 receives the scenario requested for registration from the scenario management unit 21 of the SMC 11 and registers it in the scenario DB 28. Registration means storing in a state where it can be retrieved from the image forming apparatus 13. The scenario registration unit 26 stores the registered scenario in a scenario DB 28 having an HDD 75 or an SDD (Solid State Drive) as a substance.

  The scenario registration unit 26 receives a scenario registration request and a scenario from the scenario registration request unit 36 of the image forming apparatus 13 and registers the scenario in the scenario DB 28. The registration method includes a new registration method and an overwrite registration method.

  The scenario search unit 29 receives a user name from the scenario call unit of the image forming apparatus, searches for a scenario associated with the user name, and transmits all scenarios that have been found in the search to the scenario call unit.

  Similarly, the scenario search unit 29 receives a user name from a scenario determination unit 41 of the image distribution server 14 to be described later, searches for a scenario associated with the user name, and finds all scenarios that hit the search as a scenario determination unit. 41.

<Image forming apparatus 13>
The image forming apparatus 13 includes a scenario call unit 37, an execution supervision unit 31, a data transmission unit 32, a document reading unit 33, a setting change unit 34, an execution availability determination unit 35, and a scenario registration request unit 36. The use authority information DB 38 is connected to the execution availability determination unit 35. Each functional block is realized by the CPU 52 of the image forming apparatus 13 executing the program 66.

  The image forming apparatus 13 displays a list of scenarios received from the AD 12 on the operation panel 57. When the user selects any scenario, the image forming apparatus 13 accepts the scenario and sends the scenario to the scanner application. As a result, the same reading conditions as the scenario are set in the image forming apparatus 13.

  When the user presses the “start” key or the like, the scanner 69 operates according to the reading setting set by the scanner application based on the scenario.

  The execution supervision unit 31 performs overall control of a series of processes from calling a scenario to transmitting image data. The scenario call unit 37 accesses the scenario DB 28 via the scenario search unit 29 of the AD 12 and calls a registered scenario. The scenario calling unit 37 calls a scenario from the scenario DB 28 using the device identifier of the image forming apparatus 13 and the user name of the user who uses the image forming apparatus 13 as keys. The AD 12 stores user information for authenticating the user. In the user information, a user name that uniquely identifies the user, a password, and the like are registered. The AD 12 determines whether or not user authentication based on the user name and password is established. The user name and password are input to the image forming apparatus 13 by the user when logging into the image forming apparatus 13. When the authentication is established, the scenario search unit 29 reads a scenario in which the user name and the device identifier of the image forming apparatus 13 are associated from the scenario DB 28 and transmits the scenario to the image forming apparatus 13.

  The executability determination unit 35 refers to the usage authority information DB 38 and determines whether or not the settings registered in the scenario can be executed with the authority of the user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus 13. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of usage authority information stored in the usage authority information DB 38. In the usage right information DB, “resolution”, “color type”, “paper size”, and “password” are registered in association with the user name.

  When the scenario selected by the user is, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the execution determination unit 35 permits the use of the scenario “resolution”, “color type”, and “paper size” in the usage authority information. It is determined whether it is within the range. Since the scenario is created for the user with the user name “CCC”, the execution determination unit 35 reads the user right information with the user name “CCC” from the use right information DB 38. In FIG. 7A, the “resolution” that can be set by the user with the user name “CCC” is “100 dpi”, the “color type” is “monochrome”, and the “paper size” is “A3SEF”. On the other hand, the resolution registered in the scenario is “600 dpi”, the color type is “color”, and the paper size is “A3SEF”.

  For this reason, the execution feasibility determination unit 35 determines that execution is not possible because the scenario exceeds the user's usage authority in “resolution” and “color type”.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the setting change unit 34 changes the scenario to a setting that can be executed within the user's use authority. In the example of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the user having the user name “CCC” is permitted by the usage authority information if the “resolution” is “100 dpi” and the “color type” is “monochrome”. Therefore, the setting changing unit 34 changes the “resolution” of the scenario called by the scenario calling unit 37 to “100 dpi” and the “color type” to “monochrome”.

  FIG. 7C shows an example of the changed scenario. Such a change is the same as setting the contents of “resolution” and “color type” of the usage authority information to the contents of “resolution” and “color type” of the scenario. By changing the scenario so that the usage authority of the user is not exceeded, this user can execute the scenario.

  In the following, the scenario changed by the setting changing unit 34 and transmitted to the image distribution server 14 together with the image data is a scenario attached by the setting changing unit 34 and the scenario changed by the setting changing unit 34. The scenario newly registered in the DB 28 is “new scenario”, the scenario changed by the setting changing unit 34 and overwritten and registered in the scenario DB 28 is “scenario registered by overwriting” and the scenario DB 28. The scenario subject to the registered change is called the “original scenario”.

  The scenario registration request unit 36 requests the scenario registration unit 26 of the AD 12 to register the scenario of FIG. 7C changed by the setting change unit 34 in the scenario DB 28. As a result, the image distribution server 14 can determine that the scenario is valid.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the scenario DB 28 in which a scenario is newly registered. Compared to FIG. 6, scenario 3 (change) is newly registered.

  The document reading unit 33 optically reads a document based on the changed scenario and generates image data. The data transmission unit 32 transmits the image data generated by the document reading unit 33 and the scenario shown in FIG. 7C to the image distribution server 14.

  When the user changes the scenario setting on the image forming apparatus 13 and executes it, conventionally, the AD12 scenario must be corrected and registered again from the SMC 11, and the scenario must be called again from the image forming apparatus 13. did not become. In the present embodiment, the scenario can be corrected and re-registered by the image forming apparatus 13, so that convenience can be improved.

<Image distribution server 14>
The image distribution server 14 includes a scenario determination unit 41 and an image distribution unit 42. The scenario determination unit 41 inquires of the scenario search unit 29 of the AD 12 to determine the validity of the attached changed scenario received together with the image data from the image forming apparatus 13. That is, the scenario determination unit 41 transmits the user name included in the attached changed scenario to the scenario search unit 29 and inquires about the scenario registered corresponding to the user name. The scenario search unit 29 transmits the scenario registered corresponding to the user name to the scenario determination unit 41. The scenario determination unit 41 determines the legitimacy of the scenario based on whether or not the same scenario as the scenario received from the image forming apparatus 13 exists in the scenario received from the scenario search unit 29. As described above, since the changed scenario of FIG. 7C is transmitted to the image distribution server 14 and registered in the scenario DB 28 as a new scenario, the scenario determination unit 41 registers the same scenario. That is, it can be determined that the attached scenario received from the image forming apparatus 13 is valid.

  The validity may be performed on the AD 12 side. In this case, the scenario determination unit 41 transmits the attached scenario to the scenario search unit 29 of the AD 12, and whether or not the scenario search unit 29 matches the new scenario (the same new scenario as the attached change scenario is stored). Or not) is determined. The scenario determination unit 41 receives the determination result.

  When the scenario determination unit 41 confirms the validity, the image distribution unit 42 performs image data distribution processing based on the distribution method and distribution destination described in the scenario. That is, the image distribution unit 41 refers to the scenario distribution setting and distributes the image data to the distribution destination using a registered distribution method (FTP, SMB (Server Message Block), E-Mail, etc.).

[Operation procedure]
<Registration procedure>
First, a procedure for registering a scenario from the SMC 11 to the AD 12 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure in which the image forming apparatus utilization system 100 registers a scenario without considering the capability of the image forming apparatus n. Even when the capability of the image forming apparatus n is taken into consideration, the description is omitted because it is the same in that a scenario is automatically created.

  First, the administrator operates the SMC 11 to start up a scanner management console. Then, the scenario management unit 21 is requested to start scenario creation (S101). The user operates a mouse or a keyboard to press a button or the like for instructing scenario creation start. The scenario supervision unit 21 receives a request to start scenario creation.

  The scenario supervision unit 21 requests the capability exchange unit 22 to acquire capability information of all devices connected to the network (S102). Then, the capability exchange unit 22 requests the device search unit 23 to search for a device list for searching a list of the image forming devices 13 connected to the image forming device utilization system 100 via the network (S103).

  The device search unit 23 searches for the image forming apparatus 13 connected to the image forming apparatus utilization system 100 (S104, S105). Although two image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 are searched in the figure, the number of image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 is not limited. Each of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 that has detected the search transmits installation information to the device search unit 23. The device search unit 23 generates a device list including all the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 that have acquired the installation information. The device list includes installation information (device identifier, model, MAC address, IP address, etc.).

  The device search unit 23 notifies the capability exchange unit 22 of a device list that summarizes the search results of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 connected to the network (S106).

  Next, the capability exchanging unit 22 requests the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 connected to the image forming apparatus utilization system 100 to transmit the capability information of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 based on the device list (S107). , S109).

  Then, the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 read their own capability information from, for example, the MIB 2 and transmit them to the capability exchanging unit 22 (S108 and S200). As described above, the capability exchanging unit 22 can acquire capability information of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 connected to the network.

  The capability exchange unit 22 collectively notifies the scenario management unit 21 of the acquired capability information of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 (S201).

  The scenario supervision unit 21 displays scenario creation candidate devices to the administrator (S202). That is, a list of device identifiers and models of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 is displayed on the display 80 of the SMC 11. The user displays the capability information of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 on the display 80 by clicking on the device identifier or the model.

  The administrator looks at the scenario creation candidate device and the capability information, and instructs the scenario management unit 21 to create a scenario (S203). The content of the instruction is information for designating the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2. When instructed, the scenario managing unit 21 displays the capability information of the image forming apparatus 1 or 2 (here, the image forming apparatus 1 is instructed) on the display 80. Thereby, the administrator can create a scenario within the range of the capability of the image forming apparatus 1.

  In addition, the administrator can set “resolution”, “density setting”, “color type”, and “paper size” at the time of reading. The SMC 11 pulls down a value that can be set according to the operation of the administrator for each of “resolution”, “density setting”, “color type”, and “paper size” within the capability information range, and selects a desired value from the pull-down display To do. A desired value may be directly set in the reading setting. The administrator also sets “distribution method”, “distribution destination”, “user name”, and “password”. The contents to be registered are known to the administrator.

  The scenario supervision unit 21 notifies the scenario creation unit 25 of information for creating a scenario set by the administrator, and requests the scenario creation (S204). The scenario creation unit 25 checks whether or not necessary information is registered in each item of the scenario, the presence / absence of prohibited characters, and the like, and then forms the scenario in a predetermined format and sends it to the scenario management unit 21. Transmit (S205). At this time, the scenario managing unit 21 may display this scenario on the display 80 and receive confirmation from the administrator.

  Then, the scenario supervision unit 21 transmits the scenario to the scenario registration unit 26 of the AD 12 to request scenario registration (S206). The scenario registration unit 26 registers (stores) the scenario in the scenario DB 28. As described above, a scenario is created and registered in AD12.

  Next, automatic creation of a scenario that is one of the characteristic parts will be described. In the scanner management console, the program 79 is integrally included, and following step S25, the SMC 11 automatically executes the following steps.

  The scenario supervision unit 21 requests the scenario automatic creation unit 24 to create a scenario for the image forming apparatus n for which the administrator has not created a scenario (S207). Here, the scenario managing unit 21 sends the scenario created for the image forming apparatus 1, the device identifier of the image forming apparatus 1, and the device identifier of the image forming apparatus n for which the scenario is automatically created to the scenario automatic creating unit 24. Notice. In addition, the scenario managing unit 21 may transmit capability information of each image forming apparatus 13 to the scenario automatic creating unit 24.

  Then, the scenario automatic creation unit 24 requests the scenario creation unit 25 to create a scenario (S208). At this time, the scenario automatic creation unit 24 sends the scenario, the device identifier of the image forming apparatus 1, and the device identifier of the image forming apparatus n for which the scenario is automatically created to the scenario creation unit 25.

  The scenario creation unit 25 creates a scenario for the image forming apparatus n instructed by the automatic scenario creation unit 24 (S209). Specifically, the scenario automatic creation unit 24 generates the same scenario as that of the image forming apparatus 1 by changing only the device identifier. The scenario creation unit 25 notifies the generated scenario to the scenario automatic creation unit 24.

  The scenario automatic creation unit 24 transmits the scenario to the scenario registration unit 26 of the AD 12 (S300). As a result, the scenario registration unit 26 can register the same scenario as the image forming apparatus 1 for the image forming apparatus n.

<Change and correctness judgment procedure>
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a scenario change and validity determination procedure.
First, the user operates the operation panel 57 of the image forming apparatus 13 so as to call a scenario from the AD 12 (S1). The user has already entered the user name and password from the operation panel 57 or has made the IC card read by the image forming apparatus 13 and has logged in to the image forming apparatus 13.

  The execution supervision unit 31 accepts this operation and requests the scenario call unit 37 to call the scenario (S2). The execution supervision unit 31 may accept the login operation in step S1 as it is as a request for calling a scenario. The execution supervision unit 31 sends the user name and password to the scenario call unit 37.

  The scenario calling unit 37 transmits a user name and password to the AD 12 to request authentication, and further sends a “device identifier” of the image forming apparatus 13 to request a scenario search unit 29 to search for a scenario that can be used by the user with the user name. (S3). The scenario search unit 29 refers to the scenario DB 28 using the “user name” and the “device identifier” of the image forming apparatus 13 as keys (S4), and all scenarios associated with this “user name” are retrieved from the scenario DB 28. Read (S5).

  The scenario search unit 29 transmits the read scenario (scenario group) to the scenario call unit 37 (S6). The scenario call unit 37 sends all scenarios to the execution supervision unit 31 (S7).

The execution managing unit 31 generates a list of scenarios and displays it on the operation panel 57 (S8).
FIG. 11 shows an example of the scenario list screen 301 displayed on the operation panel 57. The scenario list screen 301 includes a scenario list 302 and an “OK” button 302 together with a message “Which scenario will be executed?”.

  Although “scenario + number” is displayed in the scenario list 302, for example, a user-friendly name or the like may be displayed. Further, when the user presses a detail button (not shown), detailed contents of each scenario are displayed on the operation panel 57. When a user who has confirmed the contents of a scenario presses one scenario from the scenario list 302, the scenario is highlighted. In this state, when the user presses the “OK” button 303, the execution supervision unit 31 receives the execution request for the selected scenario (S9).

  Returning to FIG. 10, the execution supervision unit 31 requests the execution determination unit 35 to determine whether or not the scenario is executable (S10). The execution managing unit 31 sends the scenario to the execution determination unit 35 for determination.

  The execution permission / inhibition determination unit 35 determines whether the “resolution”, “color type”, and “paper size” of the scenario selected by the user are within the range permitted for use in the use authority information in FIG. If the scenario is executable, the image forming apparatus 13 reads the original as it is based on the scenario. Specifically, the execution supervision unit 31 proceeds to the processing after step S20.

  When the execution possibility determination unit 35 determines that the scenario selected by the user cannot be executed with the user's usage authority (NG) (S11), the execution supervision unit 31 requests the setting change unit 34 to change the scenario ( S12). The execution supervision unit 31 sends the scenario selected by the user to the setting change unit 34 for the change.

  The setting change unit 34 changes the setting so that the user can execute the scenario. Specifically, the setting changing unit 34 replaces the item of the reading setting (“resolution”, “color type”, “paper size”) that exceeds the usage authority in the scenario with the reading setting of the usage authority information. The setting changing unit 34 sends the changed scenario to the execution managing unit 31 (S13).

  The execution supervision unit 31 sends the changed scenario to the scenario registration request unit 36 (S14). The scenario registration request unit 36 transmits the scenario to the scenario registration unit 26 of the AD 12 and requests registration of the scenario (S15). The scenario registration unit 26 newly registers the received scenario in the scenario DB 28 (S16). That is, the scenario DB 28 has one more scenario for the user.

  The scenario registration unit 26 acquires a scenario registration result (S17), and transmits the registration result to the scenario registration request unit 36 (S18). The scenario registration request unit 36 sends the registration result to the execution control unit 31 (S19).

  Next, the execution managing unit 31 requests the document reading unit 33 to read the document according to the changed scenario (S20). The document reading unit 33 sets the scenario reading setting as a parameter for operating the scanner 69, reads the document, and generates image data. The document reading unit 33 sends the image data to the execution control unit 31 (S21).

  The execution supervision unit 31 transmits the image data and the changed scenario to the data transmission unit 32 (S22). The data transmission unit 32 transmits the image data and the changed scenario to the image distribution unit 42 of the image distribution server 14 (S23).

  The image distribution unit 42 requests the scenario determination unit 41 to determine the validity of the attached change scenario (S24). The image distribution unit 42 sends the attached change scenario to the scenario determination unit 41.

  The scenario determination unit 41 sends the “user name” included in the attached changed scenario to the scenario search unit 29 of the AD 12, and requests a search for a scenario associated with this “user name” (S25). The scenario search unit 29 searches the scenario DB 28 for a scenario associated with the “user name” (S26). The scenario search unit 29 acquires the scenario read from the scenario DB 28 (S27), and transmits the scenario (all if there are multiple scenarios) to the scenario determination unit 41 (S28).

  The scenario determination unit 41 determines whether the attached change scenario transmitted together with the image data is the same as the scenario transmitted from the scenario search unit 29, and sends the determination result to the image distribution unit 42 (S29). . Since a new scenario is registered in the scenario DB 28 in step S16, this determination result is OK.

  The image distribution unit 42 transmits a reception result indicating that reception of image data has been normally received to the data transmission unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 13 (S30). In addition, the data transmission unit 32 sends the reception result to the execution control unit 31 (S31). In addition, the image delivery part 42 delivers image data according to the delivery setting of a scenario after step S29.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus utilization system 100 according to the present embodiment registers the scenario changed in the image forming apparatus 13 in the AD 12 as a new scenario, so that it is not necessary to change the scenario setting from the SMC 11. Can do. That is, since the scenario can be changed and the reading of the document can be executed within the range of the use authority of the user in a state where the use of the image forming apparatus 13 is managed by determining the legitimacy of the scenario, the image forming apparatus utilization system 100 convenience can be improved.

  In the first embodiment, the changed scenario is newly registered in the scenario DB 28. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus utilization system 100 that deletes the registered new scenario after the image distribution server 14 determines the validity of the scenario will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a scenario change and validity determination procedure. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 13 has a scenario deletion unit 39 that newly requests deletion of a scenario. In FIG. 12, the same steps as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 12, the processing up to step S31 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a diagram for explaining the transition of the scenario DB 28. FIG. 13A shows a state in which a scenario created by the SMC 11 is registered. When step S16 in FIG. 12 is executed from this state, a scenario is newly registered, and the scenario DB 28 is in the state shown in FIG. 13B.

  After step S29 in FIG. 12, the image distribution unit 42 distributes the image data according to the scenario distribution setting. After the distribution, the image distribution unit 42 transmits the distribution result of the image data to the data transmission unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 13 (S32). In addition, the data transmission unit 32 sends the distribution result to the execution control unit 31 (S33).

  When the validity of the scenario is determined, the new scenario is no longer necessary, so the execution supervision unit 31 requests the scenario deletion unit 39 to delete the new scenario (S34). The execution supervision unit 31 sends the scenario to be deleted to the scenario deletion unit 39. The deletion of the scenario may be performed after step S29. However, since it is necessary for the image forming apparatus 13 to detect that the scenario validity determination has been completed, the deletion timing is performed after step S31.

  The scenario deletion unit 39 requests the scenario search unit 29 of the AD 12 to search for and delete the scenario to be deleted (S35). The scenario search unit 29 searches the scenario DB 28 for the scenario transmitted from the scenario search unit 29 and deletes it (S36).

  As a result of the deletion, the scenario DB 28 becomes the state shown in FIG. That is, the original state of FIG.

  The scenario search unit 29 acquires a result indicating whether or not the deletion is completed (S37), and the scenario search unit 29 transmits the result to the scenario deletion unit 39 (S38). The scenario deletion unit 39 sends the deletion result to the execution control unit 31 (S39).

  According to the image forming apparatus utilization system 100 of the present embodiment, when the scenario validity determination is completed, a new scenario stored in the scenario DB 28 of the AD 12 is deleted, so that the storage capacity of the scenario DB 28 is made effective. It can be utilized.

  In the second embodiment, a new scenario registered in the scenario DB 28 is automatically deleted from the scenario DB 28 of the AD 12, but it is convenient if the user can determine whether or not to delete. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus utilization system 100 that asks the user whether or not to delete a new scenario will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for scenario change and validity determination. In FIG. 14, the same steps as those in FIG. 13 are denoted by the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 14, the processing up to step S31 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  When the data transmission unit 32 sends the acceptance result to the execution control unit 31 in step S31, the execution control unit 31 displays the deletion inquiry screen 401 on the operation panel 57 (S250).

  FIG. 15 shows an example of the deletion inquiry screen 401 displayed on the operation panel 57. The deletion inquiry screen 401 includes a “Yes” button 402 and a “No” button 403 together with a message “Do you want to register a scenario whose setting has been changed as a new scenario? Registration → Yes deletion → No”. When the user presses a detail button (not shown), the detailed contents of the scenario are displayed on the operation panel 57.

  When the user who has confirmed the contents of the scenario presses the “No” button 403, the execution managing unit 31 receives a scenario deletion request (S251).

  Returning to FIG. 14, the image distribution unit 42 transmits the distribution result of the image data to the data transmission unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 13 (S32). In addition, the data transmission unit 32 sends the distribution result to the execution control unit 31 (S33). The subsequent processing is the same as in the second embodiment.

  When the distribution of the image data is completed according to the distribution result, the new scenario is no longer necessary. Therefore, when the execution managing unit 31 detects that the distribution of the image data is completed based on the distribution result, the execution managing unit 31 notifies the scenario deleting unit 39. A deletion of a scenario is requested (S34). The execution supervision unit 31 sends the scenario to be deleted to the scenario deletion unit 39.

  The scenario deletion unit 39 requests the scenario search unit 29 of the AD 12 to search for and delete the scenario to be deleted (S35). The scenario search unit 29 searches the scenario DB 28 for the same new scenario as the scenario transmitted from the scenario search unit 29 and deletes it (S36).

  The scenario search unit 29 acquires a result indicating whether or not the deletion is completed (S37), and the scenario search unit 29 transmits the result to the scenario deletion unit 39 (S38). The scenario deletion unit 39 sends the deletion result to the execution control unit 31 (S39).

  In FIG. 14, the deletion inquiry screen 401 is displayed after step S31. However, the deletion inquiry screen 401 may be displayed after step S33.

  According to the image forming apparatus utilization system 100 of the present embodiment, since the user can determine whether or not to delete a new scenario that has been used for image data distribution, a scenario is again executed to execute the same scenario. Depending on the situation, it is possible to switch whether to leave or delete in order to avoid wasting the storage area of the AD 12.

  In the first embodiment, the changed scenario is registered as a new scenario in the scenario DB 28, but the user cannot use the scenario before the change due to the restriction of the use authority. Therefore, the original scenario is unnecessary, and by overwriting the original scenario with the changed scenario, a frequently used scenario can be registered in the scenario DB 28, and the storage capacity of the AD 12 can also be used effectively.

  In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus utilization system 100 that overwrites an original scenario with a changed scenario will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a scenario change and validity determination procedure. In FIG. 16, the same steps as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted. 16 is different from FIG. 10 in that “registration” in steps S14 to S19 in FIG. 10 is “overwrite”.

  FIG. 17 is an example of a diagram illustrating the transition of the scenario DB 28 in the present embodiment. FIG. 17A shows a state where a scenario created by the SMC 11 is registered. From this state, the setting change unit 34 changes the scenario so that the user can execute the scenario, and sends the changed scenario to the execution control unit 31 (S13).

  The execution supervision unit 31 sends the changed scenario to the scenario registration request unit 36 (S14-2). The scenario registration request unit 36 transmits the scenario to the scenario registration unit 26 of the AD 12 and requests overwriting of the scenario (S15-2). The scenario registration unit 26 overwrites the original scenario read in step S5 with the received scenario (S16-2). That is, the number of scenarios of the user in the scenario DB 28 remains the same.

  The scenario registration unit 26 acquires a scenario overwrite result (S17-2), and transmits the overwrite result to the scenario registration request unit 36 (S18-2). Further, the scenario registration request unit 36 sends the overwriting result to the execution control unit 31 (S19-2). The subsequent processing is the same as in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 17B shows an example of the scenario DB 28 including the scenario in which step S16-2 is executed and overwritten. FIG. 17B is different from FIG. 17A in that scenario 3 is changed while the number of scenarios remains the same. That is, it is possible to save only the scenario that has been overwritten. Further, as in the second and third embodiments, it is possible to save the storage capacity of the AD 12 without deleting the scenario used for determining the validity.

  According to the image forming apparatus utilization system 100 of the present embodiment, since the changed scenario is not newly registered, waste of the storage area of the AD 12 can be eliminated.

  In the fourth embodiment, the changed scenario is overwritten and registered in the scenario DB 28. However, if the registration is overwritten, the original scenario cannot be used, or the selected scenario has a setting different from the content intended by the user. This is different from the first to third embodiments in which the original scenario is saved even if the changed scenario is registered. For this reason, when overwriting, it is preferable to notify the user to that effect. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus utilization system 100 that notifies the user of overwriting of the scenario DB 28 by a changed scenario will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a scenario change and validity determination procedure. In FIG. 18, the same steps as those in FIG. 16 are denoted by the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 18 is different in that step S260 is included after step S19-2 in FIG.

  In step S19-2, the scenario registration request unit 36 sends the overwrite result to the execution supervision unit 31 (S19-2). Then, the execution supervision unit 31 displays the overwrite notification screen 501 on the operation panel 57 (S260).

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overwrite notification screen 501. The overwriting notification screen 501 includes a “scenario overwriting notification”, a message 502 that “the scenario whose setting has been changed has been overwritten on the original scenario”, and an “OK” button 503. By reading the message 502, the user can grasp that different settings are registered when using the same scenario thereafter.

  When the user presses an “OK” button 503 after reading the message 502, the execution supervision unit 31 accepts that the user has accepted the scenario overwriting. Even if the “OK” button 503 is not pressed, the execution supervision unit 31 executes the processing after step S20. This is because it is not necessary to delay the delivery of image data or the like because the overwriting has already been completed. Since the process after step S20 is the same as that of Example 4, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  According to the image forming apparatus utilization system 100 of the present embodiment, the user is notified that the original scenario in the scenario DB 28 has been overwritten with the changed scenario, so that the original scenario cannot be used, or the selected scenario The user can grasp that the setting is different from the content intended by the user, and the operation of the image forming apparatus 13 that is not intended by the user can be prevented.

  In the first embodiment, the scenario changed according to the user's usage authority is registered as a new scenario in the scenario DB 28. In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the scenario in the scenario DB 28 is overwritten with the changed scenario. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus utilization system 100 in which a user can select whether a changed scenario is registered in the scenario DB 28 as a new scenario or an original scenario is overwritten by the changed scenario will be described.

  Therefore, the user can select whether to register a new scenario or overwrite the original scenario in consideration of the versatility of the original scenario, and can be used according to the situation.

  FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a scenario change and validity determination procedure. In FIG. 20, steps S302A to S19 or S302B to S19-2 are each surrounded by a dotted line, but either one of the processes is executed according to the acceptance result of the registration method in step S301. Note that “steps S302A + S14 to S19” after step S301 are the same as those in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment, and “steps S302B + steps S14-2 to S19-2” after step S301 are the same as those in FIG. The same.

  In step S13, the setting change unit 34 changes the scenario so that the user can execute the scenario, and sends the changed scenario to the execution control unit 31 (S13).

Then, the execution supervision unit 31 displays the change scenario registration method selection screen 601 on the operation panel 57 (S301).
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a change scenario registration method selection screen 601 displayed on the operation panel 57. The change scenario registration method selection screen 601 includes a message “Change scenario registration method selection”, “Do you want to register a scenario whose settings have been changed?”, A registration method selection field 602, and an “OK” button 603.

  The user determines whether the changed scenario is registered as a new scenario in the scenario DB 28 or overwritten on the original scenario. In the above case, the user presses “Register as new scenario” in the registration method selection field 602, and in the latter case, the user presses “Overwrite registration in original scenario”. The registration method that has been pressed is highlighted in an exclusive manner. After the user selects a registration method, when the “OK” button 603 is pressed, the execution supervision unit 31 receives the registration method.

  When “Register as a new scenario” is selected (S302A), the execution supervision unit 31 executes Steps S14 to S19, and when “Overwrite registration in original scenario” is selected (S302B), Step S14. -2 to S19-2 are executed. Since the process after step S20 is the same as that of Example 4, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  According to the image forming apparatus utilization system 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to select whether to newly register a scenario or to overwrite the original scenario, so that the scenario registration mode can be switched depending on the situation.

  In each of the first to sixth embodiments, the image data is generated by changing the scenario according to the use authority of the user, but it was difficult for the user to grasp that the image data was generated based on the changed scenario. However, because the scenario changed according to the user's usage rights has a lower resolution than the original scenario and the color type is limited, the user understands that the image data was generated by the changed scenario. It is convenient if possible. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus utilization system 100 that notifies a user that a scenario setting has been changed according to the user's authority will be described.

  FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a scenario change and validity determination procedure. In FIG. 22, the same steps as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 22, it differs in having step S401 after step S19.

  In step S19, the scenario registration request unit 36 sends the registration result to the execution control unit 31 (S19). Then, the execution supervision unit 31 displays the scenario change confirmation screen 701 on the operation panel 57 (S401).

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a scenario change confirmation screen 701 displayed on the operation panel 57. The scenario change confirmation screen 701 includes “scenario change confirmation”, a message 702 “setting changed so that the scenario can be executed”, and an “OK” button 703.

  By reading the message 702, the user can grasp that the image data has been generated by the changed scenario. When the user presses an “OK” button 703, the execution supervision unit 31 accepts that the user has accepted the scenario change. Even if the “OK” button 703 is not pressed, the execution supervision unit 31 executes the processing from step S20. This is because the scenario change has already been completed and it is not necessary to delay the delivery of image data. Since the processing after step S20 is the same as that in the first, second, third, and sixth embodiments (in the case of passing through steps S301 to S19), the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 22, the scenario change confirmation screen 701 is displayed using an example in which a scenario is newly registered. However, even when the scenario is overwritten, there is no change in that the scenario is changed. For this reason, the scenario change confirmation screen 701 in FIG. 23 can also be displayed in the fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments (when the steps S301 to S19-2 are performed). When overwriting is notified as in the fifth embodiment, the overwriting notification screen 501 and the scenario change confirmation screen 701 may be combined into one screen.

  According to the image forming apparatus utilization system 100 of the present embodiment, since the user can grasp that the image data is generated based on the changed scenario, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from operating with a setting not intended by the user. Can do.

11 Scenario creation device (SMC)
12 Scenario registration device (AD)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Image forming apparatus 14 Image delivery server 21 Scenario supervision part 22 Capability exchange part 23 Equipment search part 24 Scenario automatic creation part 25 Scenario creation part 26 Scenario registration part 28 Scenario DB
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 29 Scenario search part 31 Execution supervision part 32 Data transmission part 33 Original reading part 34 Setting change part 35 Executability determination part 36 Scenario registration request part 37 Scenario call part 38 Usage authority information DB
39 Scenario deletion unit 41 Scenario determination unit 42 Image distribution unit 100 Image forming apparatus utilization system

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-087479

Claims (10)

Based on whether or not a scenario transmitted from the image forming apparatus is stored in a scenario storage apparatus that stores a scenario including a reading setting and a distribution setting for distributing image data for each user of the image forming apparatus. An image distribution apparatus having scenario determination means for determining the legitimacy of the scenario, and distribution means for distributing image data based on distribution settings when the scenario is valid,
An image forming apparatus that transmits image data and a scenario,
Usage authority information storage means storing usage authority information for each user;
Scenario calling means for calling a scenario usable by a user from the scenario storage device;
Execution determination unit for determining whether or not execution of the scenario called by the scenario calling unit is permitted by the usage right information;
If it is determined that the execution is impossible by the execution permission determination unit, a setting change unit that changes a scenario within a range permitted in the usage right information;
Scenario storage requesting means for storing the scenario changed by the setting changing means in the scenario storage device;
A transmission means for transmitting the scenario changed by the setting change means to the image distribution device;
An image forming apparatus comprising: After the image distribution device distributes the image data,
Scenario deletion means for requesting the scenario storage device to delete a scenario stored in the scenario storage device by the scenario storage request means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The scenario storage requesting means has a deletion accepting means for accepting whether to delete the scenario stored in the scenario storage device;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The scenario storage requesting unit overwrites and stores the scenario changed by the setting changing unit over the scenario before the change stored in the scenario storage device,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Overwrite notification means for notifying the user that the scenario before change stored in the scenario storage device has been overwritten;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: The scenario changed by the setting change means is overwritten and stored on the scenario before change stored in the scenario storage device, or is different from the scenario before change stored in the scenario storage device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a registration method accepting unit that accepts whether a scenario is stored. Scenario change notification means for notifying the user that the scenario called by the scenario call means has been changed;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes: An image forming apparatus that reads a document and generates image data;
A scenario storage device storing a scenario including a reading setting and a distribution setting for distributing image data for each user of the image forming apparatus;
An image distribution apparatus that distributes image data based on distribution settings, and an image forming apparatus utilization system connected via a network,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Usage authority information storage means storing usage authority information for each user;
Scenario calling means for calling a scenario usable by a user from the scenario storage device;
Execution determination unit for determining whether or not execution of the scenario called by the scenario calling unit is permitted by the usage right information;
If it is determined that the execution is impossible by the execution permission determination unit, a setting change unit that changes a scenario within a range permitted in the usage right information;
Scenario storage requesting means for storing the scenario changed by the setting changing means in the scenario storage device;
A transmission unit configured to transmit the scenario changed by the setting change unit to the image distribution device;
Scenario determination means for determining the legitimacy of the scenario transmitted from the image forming apparatus based on whether or not the scenario is stored in the scenario storage device;
An image forming apparatus utilization system comprising: image data distribution means for distributing image data based on distribution settings when it is determined that the scenario is valid. A scenario determining unit that determines whether the scenario transmitted from the image forming apparatus is stored; a distribution unit that distributes image data based on a distribution setting when the scenario is valid; In an image data generation method of an image forming apparatus for transmitting image data and a scenario to an image distribution apparatus having
A step of calling a scenario usable by a user from a scenario storage device storing a scenario including a reading setting and a distribution setting for distributing image data for each user of the image forming apparatus;
A step of determining whether or not the execution of the scenario called by the scenario calling unit is permitted by the storage of the usage right information stored for each user in the usage right information storage unit;
If it is determined that the execution is impossible by the execution permission determination unit, the setting change unit changes the scenario within a range permitted in the usage right information;
A scenario storage requesting unit storing the scenario changed by the setting changing unit in the scenario storage device;
A step of transmitting a scenario changed by the setting changing unit to the image distribution device;
A method of generating image data, comprising: An image forming apparatus that reads an original to generate image data, a scenario storage device that stores a scenario including a reading setting and a distribution setting for distributing image data for each user of the image forming apparatus, and a distribution setting An image data generation method for an image forming apparatus utilization system in which an image distribution apparatus that distributes image data is connected via a network,
A step of calling a scenario usable by a user from a scenario storage device storing a scenario including a reading setting and a distribution setting for distributing image data for each user of the image forming apparatus;
A step of determining whether or not the execution of the scenario called by the scenario calling unit is permitted by the storage of the usage right information stored for each user in the usage right information storage unit;
If it is determined that the execution is impossible by the execution permission determination unit, the setting change unit changes the scenario within a range permitted by the usage authority information;
A scenario storage requesting unit storing the scenario changed by the setting changing unit in the scenario storage device;
A step of transmitting a scenario changed by the setting changing unit to the image distribution device;
The image delivery device determining the validity of the scenario transmitted from the image forming device based on whether the scenario is stored in the scenario storage device;
And a step of distributing the image data based on the distribution setting when it is determined that the scenario is valid.

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