JP2011077655A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an initial screen after log-in easier used than before. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device which becomes usable after log-in includes an operation display part, and a control means which makes the operation display part display a user initial screen in which function buttons for functions which a log-in user has rights use are arranged after log-in. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a multifunction peripheral.

  Currently, some image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals and copying machines cannot be used unless they are logged in using an individual or department-owned authentication card (such as a magnetic card or a non-contact IC card). Such an image forming apparatus is installed in an office or the like shared by many employees. For example, when an employee wants to copy a manuscript, the employee can read the card information from the image forming apparatus and read the card information. When the authentication by the image forming apparatus is completed, the employee can execute the copy. Thereby, the number of copies and prints for each individual or department can be managed, and it is possible to prevent the printed matter from being left in the image forming apparatus, so that the printed matter can be managed more precisely. Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below disclose image forming apparatuses that require such login.

JP 2005-153346 A JP 2005-297488 A

  By the way, in the above prior art, use is permitted upon login. The user can use a desired function such as copying by operating an initial screen displayed on the touch panel after login. And in the said prior art, the function button which calls the function which a user does not have use authority is displayed on the initial screen. Even if a function for which the user is not authorized to use is called, it cannot be activated, so displaying the function button of the function on the initial screen itself is useless.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to make the initial screen after login easier to use than before.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as a first solving means related to an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus that can be used after login, and an operation display unit and a function that the login user has authority to use. And a control means for displaying the user initial screen on which the function buttons are arranged on the operation display section after login.

  In the present invention, as a second solving means related to the image forming apparatus, in the first solving means, the operation display unit displays an initial screen of a function registered in advance after login, The control means adopts means for displaying the user initial screen on the operation display unit after logging in without displaying the initial screen when a user who does not have the authority to use the function registered in advance logs in. .

  In the present invention, as a third solving means relating to the image forming apparatus, in the first or second solving means, the control means is a setting function button having a setting that is frequently used by the logged-in user among the function settings. Is employed on the user initial screen together with the function buttons.

  In the present invention, as a fourth solving means relating to the image forming apparatus, in any one of the third solving means, the control means classifies the setting function buttons for each function and displays them on the user initial screen. Adopt the means to let.

  In the present invention, as a fifth solving means relating to the image forming apparatus, in the third or fourth solving means, the control means is configured together with the setting of the setting function button when the function has been executed previously. A means is adopted in which the set second setting is displayed on the user initial screen in association with the setting function button.

  In the present invention, as a sixth solving means relating to the image forming apparatus, in any one of the third to fifth aspects, the control means sets the date and time when the function is executed using the setting of the setting function button. A means for displaying on the user initial screen in association with the function button is adopted.

  According to the present invention, an initial user screen is displayed on which function buttons for functions that the login user has usage authority are arranged. In this way, in the present invention, only the function buttons of the functions that the login user has the authority to use are displayed, so that the screen after login becomes easier to use than before.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming system including a multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a top view of the operation display unit 1 of the multifunction machine A according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st user initial screen of the multifunctional machine A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd user initial screen of the multifunctional machine A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 3rd user initial screen of the multifunctional machine A which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system includes a multifunction peripheral A and an authentication card B according to the present embodiment.
The multifunction peripheral A according to the present embodiment is one of the image forming apparatuses of the present invention, and has a copy function, a print function, a scan function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, an e-mail transmission function, and a document box function. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device A includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a read only memory (ROM) 2, a random access memory (RAM) 3, various sensor groups 4, an image reading unit 5, and an image data storage unit. 6, a sheet conveyance / image forming unit 7, a communication I / F unit 8, an operation display unit 9, a user use restriction information storage unit 10, a user execution history information storage unit 11, and a card reader 12. Note that the CPU 1, the ROM 2, and the RAM 3 constitute a control unit of the present embodiment.

The CPU 1 includes a control program stored in the ROM 2, various detection signals received from the various sensor groups 4, document image data, print image data and facsimile image data stored in the image data storage unit 6, and a communication I / F unit. The overall operation of the multifunction peripheral A is controlled based on various instructions input from a client computer (not shown) and a public network (not shown) via 8 and operation instructions input from the operation display unit 9. The details of the control process of the CPU 1 will be described below as the operation of the multifunction device A. The public network is a public telephone network and the public Internet.
The ROM 2 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU 1 and other data.

The RAM 3 is a volatile memory used as a working area serving as a temporary storage destination of data when the CPU 1 executes a control program and performs various operations.
The various sensor groups 4 are necessary for image forming operations such as a document set detection sensor, a paper out detection sensor, a paper jam detection sensor, a paper position detection sensor, a temperature sensor, and a cover open / close detection sensor of a housing (not shown). It is various sensors, and outputs various information detected by each sensor to the CPU 1 as detection signals.

  The image reading unit 5 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and the like. Under the control of the CPU 1, the image of the document sequentially fed by the ADF is read by the CCD sensor. Document image data based on is output. The image reading unit 5 outputs the document image data to the CPU 1, while the CPU 1 stores the document image data in the image data storage unit 6.

  The image data storage unit 6 is, for example, a flash memory or a hard disk. Under the instruction of the CPU 1, original image data, print image data received by the communication I / F unit 8 from a client computer (not shown), and a communication I / F unit. 8 stores facsimile image data received from a public network (not shown).

The paper transport / image forming unit 7 includes a print engine (photosensitive drum, charger, developing device, fixing roller, and the like), a paper feed roller, a paper discharge roller, and the like. This paper transport / image forming unit 7 transports a recording paper in a paper tray (not shown) under the control of the CPU 1, and an image (image made of toner) based on the image data in the image data storage unit 6 is used as the recording paper. The recording paper is transferred and conveyed to a paper discharge tray (not shown).
The communication I / F unit 8 is connected to an external client computer and a public network, and transmits and receives various signals between the client computer and the public network.

  The operation display unit 9 includes a copy function switch key, a print function switch key, a scan function switch key, a facsimile function switch key, a document box key, a start key, a stop / clear key, a power key, a numeric keypad (numeric input key), and a touch panel 9a. And various other operation keys. The operation instruction of each key is output to the CPU 1, and various screens are displayed on the touch panel 9 a under the control of the CPU 1.

  The copy function switch key, print function switch key, scan function switch key, and facsimile function switch key are hard keys for the user to switch to the operation mode of each function. The document box key is a key for starting a document box function for saving the original image data in a document storage unit (not shown).

  The user use restriction information storage unit 10 is, for example, a flash memory, and functions according to each individual (copy function, print function, scan function, facsimile transmission / reception function, e-mail transmission function) under the control of the CPU. And document box function) user use restriction information is stored. This user use restriction information is information in which the function subject to use restriction of the multifunction device A is registered for each user.

  The user execution history information storage unit 11 is, for example, a flash memory or a hard disk, and stores individual user execution history information corresponding to each user under the control of the CPU 1. The user execution history information is a setting for each function of the executed function (copy function, print function, scan function, facsimile transmission / reception function, e-mail transmission function, and document box function) and the executed function for each user. A value and an execution date and time are registered. The executed function is not a function that simply performs an input operation, but a function that is output by executing a job. The user execution history information (executed function, setting setting value and execution date / time) is registered when the job execution is completed.

  The card reader 12 has an insertion port for the authentication card B. When the authentication card B is inserted into this insertion port, the card information is read from the authentication card B under the control of the CPU 1, and the read card information is stored in the CPU 1 Output to. The CPU 1 executes an authentication process based on the card information and determines whether login is permitted / not permitted. The authentication card B is a magnetic card or IC card in which card information is stored, and is distributed to each department of the company or each individual. The user causes the card reader 12 of the multifunction device A to read the authentication card B and logs in the multifunction device A.

Next, the operation of the MFP A according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
First, a user who intends to use the multifunction device A inserts the authentication card B into the insertion slot of the card reader 12 in order to log in to the multifunction device A.

  The CPU 1 determines whether or not the authentication card B has been inserted into the insertion slot of the card reader 12 (step S1), and if “NO” is determined in step S1, that is, authentication is performed at the insertion slot of the card reader 12. If the card B is not inserted, the process waits until the authentication card B is inserted into the insertion slot of the card reader 12, and if “YES” is determined in step S1, that is, the insertion slot of the card reader 12. If the authentication card B is inserted, the card information of the authentication card B is read by the card reader 12, and user authentication processing is executed based on the card information to determine whether or not to permit login. (Step S2).

If the CPU 1 determines “NO” in step S2, that is, if it is determined that login is not permitted, the CPU 1 causes the touch panel 9a to display a login non-permission notification screen that notifies login non-permission (step S3). The process proceeds to step S1. If CPU 1 determines “YES” in step S 2, that is, if it is determined that login is permitted, CPU 1 determines whether or not the login user has the authority to use the function of the initial screen displayed immediately after login ( Step S4). The initial screen is a top screen for each function (copy function, facsimile transmission function, document box function, etc.). Then, the multifunction device A displays an initial screen of functions registered in advance immediately after login. In the following description of the operation of the multifunction device A, it is assumed that the initial screen of the document box function is registered in advance.
If the determination is “YES” in step S4, that is, if the login user has the authority to use the document box function, the CPU 1 displays an initial screen for the document box function on the touch panel 9a (step S5).

  If the CPU 1 determines “NO” in step S4, that is, if the logged-in user does not have the authority to use the document box function, the first user initial setting is based on the user use restriction function information and the user execution history information. A screen is displayed on the touch panel 9a (step S6). That is, the CPU 1 displays the function buttons of the functions that the login user has authority to use based on the user use restriction function information, and sets the setting function buttons frequently used by the login user based on the user execution history information to the first user. Display on the initial screen. The function buttons exist for each of the copy function, print function, scan function, facsimile transmission / reception function, electronic mail transmission function, and document box function. When this function button is pressed, a transition is made to the initial screen (top screen) of each function in the same manner as the copy function switch key, print function switch key, scan function switch key, facsimile function switch key and document box key. .

The first user initial screen will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, when functions other than the copy function and the facsimile transmission function are subject to use restrictions, function buttons for the copy function and the facsimile transmission function are displayed on the first user initial screen as shown in FIG. Is done. On each function button, an icon having the same pattern as that depicted on the copy function switching key and the facsimile function switching key is drawn.

On the first user initial screen, as shown in FIG. 3, setting function buttons for each function frequently used by the user are displayed. When the setting function button is pressed, a transition is made to a setting screen corresponding to the setting function button. The setting function buttons are classified and displayed for each function. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the aggregation setting function button (left side) and the booklet setting function button (right side) of the copy function and the long document setting function button of the facsimile transmission function are classified and displayed.
Each setting function button displays an icon of a function to be set. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the copy function icon is displayed for the aggregation setting function button and the booklet setting function button, and the facsimile transmission function icon is displayed for the long document setting function button. The

The same color is used for the function buttons and the setting function buttons of the same function. For example, if the copy function button, the aggregation setting function button, and the booklet setting function button in FIG. 3 are used, purple is used for the icon, and if the facsimile transmission function button and the long document setting function button are used, the icon is red. used.
Furthermore, a “display switching” button is displayed on the first user initial screen. Details of the processing when the “display switching” button is pressed will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 2, after step S6, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the “display switching” button has been pressed (step S7). If the CPU 1 determines “NO” in step S7, that is, if the “display switching” button is not pressed, the CPU 1 stands by until the “display switching” button is pressed. If the CPU 1 determines “YES” in step S 7, that is, if the “display switching” button is pressed, the CPU 1 displays the second user initial screen based on the user use restriction function information and the user execution history information. It is displayed on the touch panel 9a (step S8).

The second user initial screen will be described with reference to FIG.
On the second user initial screen, as shown in FIG. 4, function buttons with use authority are displayed based on the user use restriction function information, as in the first user initial screen. The second user initial screen also displays frequently used setting function buttons extracted from the user execution history information. In the setting function button, icons of other settings used together with the setting are displayed. For example, in FIG. 4, an icon for display setting used together with a previous copy is displayed on the aggregation setting function button. Further, a hue adjustment setting icon is displayed on the booklet setting function button. Since these settings used together are also registered in the user execution history information, the CPU 1 displays icons of other functions previously used together on the setting function button based on the user execution history information. To do. Further, a “display switching” button and a “date and time display” button are displayed on the second user initial screen. Details of processing when the “display switching” button and the “date / time display” button are pressed will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 2, after step S <b> 8, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the “display switching” button has been pressed (step S <b> 9). If the CPU 1 determines “YES” in step S9, that is, if the “display switch” button is pressed, the first user initial screen is displayed again on the touch panel 9a in step S6.

  If it is determined “NO” in step S9, that is, if the “display switching” button is not pressed, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the “date / time display” button is pressed (step S10). If it is determined “NO” in step S10, that is, if the “date / time display” button is not pressed, the CPU 1 stands by until the “date / time display” button is pressed. If the CPU 1 determines “YES” in step S10, that is, if the “date and time display” button is pressed, the CPU 1 displays the third user initial screen based on the user use restriction function information and the user execution history information. It is displayed on the touch panel 9a (step S11).

The third user initial screen will be described with reference to FIG.
The third user initial screen is different from the second user initial screen in that an execution date and time is displayed on the setting function button and an “icon display” button is displayed. The execution date and time displayed on the setting function button indicates the latest execution date and time, and is displayed based on the user execution history information. Details of processing when the “display switching” button and the “icon display” button are pressed will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the “display switching” button has been pressed after step S <b> 11 (step S <b> 12). If the CPU 1 determines “YES” in step S12, that is, if the “display switching” button is pressed, the first user initial screen is displayed again on the touch panel 9a in step S6.

  If it is determined “NO” in step S12, that is, if the “display switch” button is not pressed, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the “icon display” button is pressed (step S13). If the determination is “NO” in step S13, that is, if the “icon display” button is not pressed, the CPU 1 waits until the “icon display” button is pressed. If the determination is “YES” in step S13, that is, if the “icon display” button is pressed, the CPU 1 redisplays the second user initial screen on the touch panel 9a in step S8.

As described above, in the multi-function device A according to the present embodiment, the CPU 1 displays only the function buttons of the functions for which use is authorized on the user initial screen after login based on the user use restriction information. As described above, in the multi-function device A, only the function buttons of the functions that the login user has authority to use are displayed on the user initial screen, so that the screen after login becomes easier to use than before.
Further, the CPU 1 displays a setting function button with a frequently used setting on the user initial screen based on the user execution history information. Thereby, in the multi-function device A, the operation of the setting function button for the settings that are often used by the user is simplified, so that the screen after login becomes easier to use.

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, the following modifications can be considered.
(1) In the above embodiment, the setting function buttons frequently used by each user are displayed on the user initial screen, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the multifunction peripheral A may calculate the usage frequency of all users and display a setting function button with a high usage frequency for all users on the user initial screen based on the calculation result.

  A ... MFP, B ... Authentication card, 1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... Various sensor groups, 5 ... Image reading unit, 6 ... Image data storage unit, 7 ... Paper transport / image forming unit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 ... Communication I / F part, 9 ... Operation display part, 9a ... Touch panel, 10 ... User use restriction information storage part, 11 ... User execution history information storage part, 12 ... Card reader

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus that can be used after login,
An operation display;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to display a user initial screen on which function buttons of functions for which a login user has authority to use are displayed on the operation display unit after login. An image forming apparatus that the operation display unit displays after logging in an initial screen of functions registered in advance,
The control means displays the user initial screen on the operation display unit after login without displaying the initial screen when a user who does not have the authority to use a registered function logs in. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays a setting function button having a setting that is frequently used by a logged-in user among function settings on the user initial screen together with the function button. 4. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit classifies the setting function buttons for each function and displays them on the initial user screen.   The control means causes the second setting set together with the setting function button setting when the function has been executed previously to be displayed on the user initial screen in association with the setting function button. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. 6. The control unit according to claim 3, wherein a date and time when a function is executed using the setting of the setting function button is displayed on the user initial screen in association with the setting function button. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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