JP2012227592A - Operation instruction device and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation instruction device which enables a user to easily grasp the user's use history of a connected processing device.SOLUTION: An operation instruction device is connected with a processing device, and comprises a display device, input means for receiving input by a user, authentication means for executing processing for authenticating the user who has performed the input, and saving means for saving use histories of respective users. On receiving utilization start input by a user, the operation instruction device reads out use histories from the saving means, and if the use histories includes information about the user, the operation instruction device gives authentication permission to the user. Further, the operation instruction device displays the use history of the user on the display device.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation instruction apparatus connected to a processing apparatus, and more particularly to an operation instruction apparatus that allows the user to easily grasp a user's usage history for the processing apparatus.

  In response to the growing awareness of environmental issues year by year, many electrical appliances are equipped with technology for notifying the user of the amount of power and consumables consumed during product use. Such notifications have the effect of encouraging the user to stop consuming excessive power and consumables. Furthermore, the notification also indicates the result of energy saving measures that the user has taken on the product. By quantifying the degree of efforts related to energy conservation measures, users can easily set specific targets for energy conservation measures. As a result, the user can continue to work on energy saving measures for a long time.

JP 2001-356648 A JP 2002-297715 A

  As a technique for notifying the amount of power consumption, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a display panel that displays a level of a load on the global environment by a device in use is disclosed. This level display indicates the power consumption for the processing being performed at that time, and display according to each user cannot be performed. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for displaying the predicted power consumption in a graph. This graph display is displayed on the entire display screen, and in order to refer to the graph, the page on which the graph is described must be opened. Therefore, the graph is not automatically displayed without being conscious of the user, and it is impossible to consider the next operation instruction performed by the user while referring to the graph.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation instruction device that can automatically notify a user who is operating a processing device of information related to the usage status of the user with respect to the processing device.

  An operation instruction apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a processing apparatus, receives a user operation instruction for the processing apparatus, and operates the processing apparatus in accordance with the operation instruction. The operation instruction device includes a display device having a display screen, input means for receiving input by a user, and connected to the input means, and authenticates the user who made the input based on the input received by the input means. In response to the authentication of the user by the processing of the authentication means for executing the processing, the storage means for executing the processing for storing the usage history of the processing device for each user, and the processing of the authentication means, In response to the fact that the user is authenticated by the authentication means, the reading means for reading the usage history of the processing device by the user from the usage history saved by the saving means, and using the display device and the input means, An operation instruction for the processing device by the user is confirmed by interactive processing, and an instruction confirmation means for operating the processing device according to the operation instruction and an instruction confirmation means by the user And updating means for updating a usage history related to the processing device of the user in the storage means according to the instruction in response to the confirmation of the indication, and the instruction confirmation means is interactive processing by the display device and the input means. , An information screen relating to the usage status of the user with respect to the processing device is generated on the basis of the usage history read for the user by the reading means, and is displayed on the display screen together with an operation screen for operating instructions for the processing device.

  According to this operation instruction device, the usage history of the user of the processing device is stored, and this usage history is read and displayed only when the user is authenticated. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the usage status for the processing apparatus. Furthermore, since this usage history is updated each time an operation instruction is issued, the user can always know the updated usage status.

  Preferably, the authentication means is connected to the authentication information holding means for holding information relating to user authentication, the input means and the authentication information holding means, and held in the input received by the input means and the authentication information holding means. Authentication executing means for authenticating the user by collating with the information thus obtained.

  Information related to user authentication is stored in advance in the operation instruction device, and the operation instruction device collates the stored information and the input information to perform user authentication. Therefore, the outsider is not authenticated, and the information regarding the usage status is surely notified only to the user.

  More preferably, the storage unit includes a storage unit capable of writing and reading, which stores a use history of the processing device for each user.

  The operation instruction device stores a usage history of the processing device for each user, and the usage history can be written and read. The usage history is updated every time the user uses the processing device, and the operation instruction device can easily read the updated usage history.

  Preferably, the operation instruction device is connected to a communication means for communicating with another device, an input means and the communication means, and transmits an input received by the input means to a predetermined authentication server via the communication means. And a means for requesting authentication and authenticating the user according to the authentication result received from the authentication server via the communication means.

  The operation instruction device can cause the authentication server to perform user authentication via the communication means. When there are a plurality of operation instruction devices, if the authentication server is set in advance to authenticate the user, the authentication server can execute the user authentication regardless of which operation instruction device is used by the user.

  More preferably, the storage means includes means for transmitting the contents of use to another storage device via the communication means each time the processing device is used by the user, and the reading means is processed by the authentication means. In response to the user being authenticated, a history receiving means for receiving a usage history of the processing apparatus by the user from another storage device via the communication means is included.

  The content that the user uses the processing device is transmitted to an external storage device, and when the user is authenticated, the operation instruction device receives the usage history of the user from this storage device. By storing the usage history in an external storage device, when the information amount of the usage history increases, the capacity of the storage device can be increased in accordance with the increase.

  More preferably, the information screen related to the usage status of the user includes information related to an action level obtained by quantifying the degree of energy saving measures taken by the user when operating the processing apparatus.

  The information screen displays information on the level of energy conservation measures taken by the user. Therefore, the user can confirm the level of the energy conservation measures taken by the user, and can increase the interest in the energy conservation measures.

  More preferably, the instruction confirmation unit displays a screen for inputting an operation instruction and a screen relating to the usage status of the user adjacent to each other on the display screen of the display device.

  A screen for inputting an operation instruction and a screen related to the usage status are displayed adjacent to each other on the display screen. Therefore, the user can determine the instruction operation for the processing apparatus while referring to his / her usage history and the level of energy conservation measures.

  More preferably, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is connected to the operation instruction device described above and the operation instruction device in response to receiving an operation instruction from the user via the operation instruction device. The processing device includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium in response to an operation instruction.

  The image forming apparatus includes the operation instruction device described above and a processing device that operates in accordance with an operation instruction from the operation instruction device. When the user uses this image forming apparatus, information about the usage status is displayed on the display screen, so that the user can try to avoid unnecessary printing.

  According to the operation instruction device according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically notify the user who is operating the processing device of information regarding the usage status of the user with respect to the processing device. Furthermore, if information on energy saving measures that the user has been working on is notified as this information, the user can easily understand how effective the energy saving measures are.

It is a figure which shows the data movement which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program executed at the time of login in the MFP of FIG. It is a figure which shows the whole screen displayed after login. 3 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program executed at the time of printing by the MFP of FIG. It is a figure which shows the whole screen displayed after completion | finish of printing. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the network image forming system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the server computer of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed at the time of login in the network image forming system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed at the time of printing with the network image forming system of FIG.

<< First Embodiment >>
In the following description and drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Similarly, detailed description will not be repeated when the same processing is performed in different embodiments.

[Outline]
The operation instruction device according to the present embodiment stores a user's usage history for the processing device, and reads the user's usage history for the authenticated user. With reference to FIG. 1, the exchange of data accompanying this storage and reading will be described.

  When the operation instruction device receives an input of an instruction operation from the user to the processing device, the operation instruction device stores information related to the input in the storage unit as a use history of the user. This usage history is stored separately for each user.

  When a certain user is authenticated, the operation instruction device reads the usage history of the user from the storage means. The read usage history information is displayed on the display screen of the processing device. Therefore, the usage history of a certain user is notified only to the user. Even when another user is authenticated, the usage history of the user is not notified to another user. In this way, the operation instruction device updates the usage history of the user every time the user gives an instruction operation to the processing device. Further, for the authenticated user, the usage history for the user is read, and the read usage history is displayed.

[Hardware configuration]
<MFP 300>
The processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a multifunction peripheral (MFP (Multifunction Peripheral)) which is a kind of image forming apparatus. The MFP has a plurality of modes such as a copy mode, a facsimile mode (hereinafter, the facsimile may be described as FAX or FAX), a network compatible printer mode, and a scanner mode. When copying an original using such an MFP, the user selects a copy mode, inputs image data of the original using the scanner function, and then prints the input image using the printer function.

  Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 300 configuring the network image forming system according to the present embodiment has a bus 390, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310 connected to bus 390, and a ROM ( Connection between a read-only memory (320), a RAM (Random Access Memory) 330 connected to the bus 390, a hard disk (HDD) 340 connected to the bus 390, and a touch panel display 380. An input interface (hereinafter referred to as “input IF” and “interface” will be referred to as “IF”) 350 and a display IF 360, and a bus 390 connected to the bus 390. It includes a network IF 370 that provides a connection to a network line by wireless (wired in the present embodiment) and a FAX communication unit 375 that provides a connection to a public line. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 300 includes hardware buttons such as a start button and a numeric keypad button.

  Touch panel display 380 in MFP 300 according to the present embodiment displays a menu of basic functions to the user, selects a mode or function by the user, and inputs a setting item (for example, a numerical value of magnification) for the selected function. To do. Further, the MFP 300 has a browser function for displaying data (HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) data) received from the server computer on the touch panel display 380. With this browser function, the standard function menu in the mode selected by the user and the extended function menu related to the mode selected by the user are displayed on the touch panel display 380.

  The bus 390, the ROM 320, the RAM 330, the HDD 340, the input IF 350, the display IF 360, the network IF 370, and the FAX communication unit 375 all operate cooperatively under the control of the CPU 310. In the MFP 300, print processing, FAX transmission / reception processing, scanner Processing and copy processing are realized. These processes are executed under the control of the CPU 310 for each component constituting the MFP 300 (not shown in FIG. 3).

  The MFP 300 has an image communication mode such as a facsimile communication mode in which image data is transmitted / received via a public line via the FAX communication unit 375, an Internet facsimile communication mode in which image data is transmitted / received via the Internet line via the network IF 370, and image data. E-mail communication mode for sending and receiving in a format attached to e-mail (scan to mail: standard function) and image transfer mode for transferring image data to a specific folder using a network line (scan to folder: standard function) And so on.

  The MFP 300 includes, for example, a document reading unit (scanner unit), an image forming unit, a paper feeding unit, and a paper discharge processing device. In MFP 300, various image processes are performed by CPU 310 on the image data of the document read by the document reading unit, and the image data is output to the image forming unit. The MFP 300 has a so-called laser type (electrophotographic type) printing function that uses laser light for photosensitivity. However, another type of printing function may be provided.

  The operation mode of MFP 300 according to the present embodiment includes (1) copy mode, (2) facsimile mode (described as “fax / image transmission” mode in the touch panel display screen example), (3) printer mode, and ( 4) A scanner mode (described as “document filing” mode in the touch panel display screen example) is provided. In the following, these operation modes will be described.

-Facsimile mode-
Hereinafter, an operation in the facsimile communication mode (may be described as a fax / image transmission mode) will be described. In this facsimile mode, mainly the transmission operation is performed by the document reading unit (scanner unit) and the FAX communication unit 375, and the reception operation is performed by the FAX communication unit 375 and the image forming unit. Realized.

  The transmission operation is as follows. In MFP 300, the facsimile mode is designated, the document placed on the document table is read as image data by the document reading unit, and the read image data is input to CPU 310, where various functions are performed on the image data. Then, image processing is performed, and this image data is output to the FAX communication unit 375. The FAX communication unit 375 of the MFP 300 on the transmission side connects the designated transmission line to the designated transmission destination, converts the image data into communication data that conforms to the facsimile communication standard, and receives the facsimile apparatus on the reception side. (For example, MFP 300 having a facsimile communication function). When the line is connected, FAX communication unit 375 of MFP 300 on the receiving side detects a communication request signal from FAX communication unit 375 of MFP 300 on the transmission side, and transmits a response signal. After that, for example, the FAX communication unit 375 transfers the capability information installed on the transmission side and the reception side, and determines the communication speed and the encoding / code correction method of the image data at the maximum available capability. To set the modem communication method. Data is transmitted from the FAX communication unit 375 of the MFP 300 on the transmission side to the FAX communication unit 375 of the MFP 300 on the reception side using an image signal format adapted to this communication method. When transmission is completed, the line is disconnected.

  The receiving operation is as follows. The FAX communication unit 375 of the MFP 300 on the receiving side converts the received data into image data and sends it to the image forming unit. The received data may be converted into image data by the image forming unit. The image forming unit prints an image of the document indicated by the image data converted from the received data on a recording sheet, as in an image forming operation in a copy mode described later.

-Copy mode-
Hereinafter, an image forming operation in the copy mode will be described. The image forming unit prints an image indicated by data obtained by processing image data read by the document reading unit with various functions on a recording sheet, and includes, for example, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser scan, and the like. A unit, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a fixing device, a static eliminator, and the like are provided.

  For example, the image forming unit is provided with a conveyance path, and the recording paper fed from the paper feeding unit is conveyed along the conveyance path. The paper feed unit pulls out the recording paper stored in the paper cassette or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one by one, and sends the recording paper to the conveyance path of the image forming unit.

  While the recording paper is being conveyed along the conveyance path of the image forming unit, the recording paper passes between the photosensitive drum and the transfer device, and further passes through the fixing device, and printing on the recording paper is performed. .

  The photosensitive drum rotates in one direction, and its surface is cleaned by a cleaning device and a static eliminator and then uniformly charged by a charging device. The laser scanning unit modulates the laser beam based on the image data to be printed, and repeatedly scans the surface of the photosensitive drum in the main scanning direction with this laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. To do. The developing device supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

  The transfer device transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to a recording sheet passing between the transfer device and the photosensitive drum. The fixing device includes a heating roller for heating the recording paper and a pressure roller for pressing the recording paper. The recording paper is heated by the heating roller and is pressed by the pressure roller, whereby the toner image transferred onto the recording paper is fixed on the recording paper. The recording paper discharged (printed) from the fixing device is discharged to a paper discharge tray.

-Printer mode-
Hereinafter, the operation of the printer mode will be described. In this printer mode, the print function is realized mainly by the operation of the image forming unit.

  When print data is received from the (client) computer via the network IF 370, the received print data is converted into image data and sent to the image forming unit. The print data may be converted into image data by the image forming unit. The image forming unit prints the image of the document indicated by the image data converted from the print data on the recording paper, similarly to the operation in the copy mode described above.

-Scanner mode-
Hereinafter, the operation in the scanner mode will be described. In the scanner mode, a scanner function is realized mainly by operating a document reading unit (scanner unit).

  In MFP 300, a document placed on a document table is read as image data by a document reading unit, and the read image data is input to CPU 310, where image processing based on various functions is performed on the image data. This image data is output to recording paper in the copy mode, this image data is transmitted in the facsimile communication mode, the Internet facsimile communication mode or the e-mail communication mode (scan to mail), or in the image transfer mode (scan to folder). This image data is stored in the HDD 340 or transmitted to a computer connected to the network via the network IF 370.

Software configuration
<User authentication>
With reference to FIG. 3, a control structure of a program executed in the operation instruction device when authenticating a user of the processing device in the present embodiment will be described. In step 102, the CPU 310 determines whether or not the MFP 300 has received a signal requesting start of use from the user. The use start here means that the user can use the MFP 300 such as logging in to the MFP 300. If the determination in step 102 is affirmative, the control proceeds to step 104, and if negative, the control returns to step 102 again.

  In step 104, CPU 310 transmits a signal requesting authentication of the user. In response to the transmission of this signal, in step 106, CPU 310 checks whether or not the information related to the user is contained in the database storing the information related to user authentication.

  In step 108, the CPU 310 determines whether or not to grant authentication permission to the user based on the information obtained by the collation in step 106. If this determination is positive, the routine branches to step 110 and step 116. If not, control proceeds to step 118.

  In step 110, the CPU 310 reads user information related to the user from the database. This user information may include not only the user's use history with respect to the MFP 300 but also information related to an action level in which the degree of energy saving measures taken when the user uses the MFP 300 is quantified.

  In step 112, the CPU 310 generates an information screen 134 based on the information read from the database. Since the information screen 134 displays information related to the usage history of the user, the display content varies depending on the user. In step 116, the CPU 310 generates an operation screen 132. On this operation screen 132, keys and the like that are operated when the user gives an operation instruction to the MFP 300 are displayed. Further, in step 114, the CPU 310 generates an entire screen 130 obtained by combining the operation screen 132 and the information screen 134 and displays it on the touch panel display 380. When the entire screen 130 is displayed, the control ends.

  In step 118, since authentication is not permitted for the user in step 108, CPU 310 displays a screen (not shown) for notifying that the user cannot use MFP 300. Thereafter, the execution of the program ends.

  Referring to FIG. 4, overall screen 130 displayed after user authentication is permitted includes start instruction screen 136 in addition to operation screen 132 and information screen 134 described above. The user can operate each key displayed on the operation screen 123 and the information screen 134 while referring to the information screen 134.

  On the operation screen 132, a copy number setting key 142 for setting the number set with the numeric keypad 158 as the number of copies, a color mode setting key 144 for setting whether to display the document data in color or monochrome, and the density of the document data A copy density setting key 146 for adjusting the document data, a magnification setting key 148 for setting the magnification of the document data, a document size setting key 150 for setting the size of the document data, a paper setting key 152 for setting the size and type of printing paper, and the printing. A print surface setting key 154 for setting the print surface for the paper and a staple setting key 156 for setting whether or not to staple the edge of the print paper are displayed. The user can set document data for image formation by touching these various keys.

  On the start instruction screen 136, a monochrome print key 162 for starting monochrome printing of document data, a color print key 164 for starting color printing, a scan start key 166 for starting reading of document data, and settings for document data and A cancel key 168 for canceling or interrupting the printing process is displayed. When the user touches any one of these keys, printing and reading of document data is started.

  On the information screen 134, an action level is displayed in which the degree of energy saving measures that have been taken so far when the user uses the MFP 300 is quantified. These displays indicate how much the power consumption and the paper consumption are different between the original data printed without any setting and the actual printing result. The paper reduction rate display 172 is a display showing how much wood is needed to produce the total of the reduced papers, in terms of the number of wood. In addition, although the reference | standard regarding this display changes with the paper quality of paper, the kind of wood used for wood, etc., in order to make it easy to understand, the number displayed according to the number of sheets shall also change. By displaying the reduced number of sheets as the number of trees, it becomes easier for the user to realize the effect of energy saving measures for the efforts.

  The carbon dioxide reduction rate display 174 indicates how much power consumption can be reduced. This reduction rate is the amount of carbon dioxide emissions when the reduced power is produced by thermal power generation, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions when the power consumption is produced by thermal power generation when no energy saving measures are taken, Shows what percentage. By performing such a display, it becomes easy for the user to understand how much carbon dioxide emissions have been suppressed compared to before the execution of energy saving measures.

  The power consumption reduction rate display 176 indicates what percentage of the power consumption when the reduced power consumption does not take any energy saving measures. Similarly to the carbon dioxide reduction rate display 174 described above, this display can specifically indicate to the user how much power consumption has been reduced.

  In this way, the information screen 134 shows the level of energy conservation measures that the user has worked on in an easy-to-understand expression. Such a display makes it easier for the user to realize that his / her efforts are linked to energy saving, and he / she can easily tackle energy saving measures.

<Update usage history>
With reference to FIG. 5, a control structure of a program executed by the CPU 310 when an authenticated user executes a printing process and the usage history of the user is updated will be described. In step 182, CPU 310 determines whether or not printing processing has been executed in MFP 300. If this determination is positive, the routine branches to step 184 and step 190. If not, control returns to step 182 again.

  In step 184, the CPU 310 updates information regarding the user's usage history stored in the database based on the information regarding execution of the printing process. In step 186, the updated usage history of the user is read from the database. Based on the read usage history information, the CPU 310 generates an information screen 202 (step 188).

  In step 190, the CPU 310 displays a screen (not shown) for notifying that the printing process is being performed on the touch panel display 380. When the printing process is completed, the CPU 310 generates an operation screen 132 in step 192.

  The information screen 202 generated in step 188 and the operation screen 132 generated in step 192 are generated, and the CPU 310 combines the entire screen 212 and displays it on the touch panel display 380 (step 194). When the entire screen 212 is displayed, the execution of this program ends.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the values displayed on the paper reduction rate display 204, the carbon dioxide reduction rate display 206, and the power consumption reduction rate display 208 on the information screen 202 are displayed on the information screen 134 before executing the printing process. Compared to the displayed value. The numerical value displayed on the information screen 202 is a numerical value obtained by adding the result of the printing process. In this way, the information displayed on the information screen changes before and after the printing process, so that the user can easily confirm how much the operation on the processing apparatus performed immediately before has been effective in energy saving measures.

[Operation]
The operation of MFP 300 based on the above configuration and flowchart will be described with reference to FIG.

  In using the MFP 300, the user needs to log in to the MFP 300. Based on an instruction on a login screen (not shown) displayed on the touch panel display 380, the user performs a login operation. In response to the start of the login operation by the user, the MFP 300 starts a process for determining whether or not to authenticate the user (step 104). The CPU 310 collates the information input by the user and the information stored in the database, and determines whether or not to grant authentication permission to the user (step 108). If authentication is permitted, the CPU 310 reads information about the user from the database and generates an information screen 134. A whole screen 130 obtained by combining the information screen 134 and the operation screen 132 is displayed on the touch panel display 380. If authentication of the user is not permitted, an unusable notice for notifying that the user cannot use the MFP 300 is displayed on the touch panel display 380.

  When the entire screen 130 is displayed, the user can check the use history of the MFP 300 so far by referring to the information screen 134. Further, the user can examine the contents of the printing operation to be performed from now on based on the use history.

  The user can set and start a printing operation by operating the operation screen 132 and the start instruction screen 136. When the user touches the monochrome print key 162 or the color print key 164, a printing operation is executed. In response to the execution of the printing operation, the CPU 310 updates the use history related to the user stored in the database (step 184). Further, the CPU 310 reads the updated usage history from the database (step 186), and generates a new information screen 202 based on the read usage history (step 188). An entire screen 212 in which the information screen 202 and the operation screen 132 are combined is displayed on the touch panel display 380. The display of the information screen 202 also reflects the printing result performed this time. Therefore, the user can confirm what the result of the energy saving measure by the printing operation performed this time is by checking each information screen before and after the printing is completed.

<< Second Embodiment >>
[Overall system configuration]
In the present embodiment, authentication of a user of the processing device is performed by an authentication server that can communicate with the operation instruction device. With reference to FIG. 7, a configuration of a network image forming system including an operation instruction device and an authentication server will be described. MFP (1) 300 to MFP (3) 300 (hereinafter referred to as MFP (1)) which displays information about the user of the MFP selected by the user and displays the usage history of the user received from the server computer. 300 to MFP (3) 300 may be referred to as MFP 300.) and server computer 200 that updates the user's usage history based on data received from MFP 300 and transmits the updated information to MFP 300. .

  These server computer 200 and MFP 300 are communicably connected via a network line (private LAN line) 400 and the Internet 500. MFP (1) 300 to MFP (3) 300 have the same reference numerals, but are not necessarily MFPs having the same standard functions. The Internet 500 may be an intranet. Further, a (client) computer that transmits print data to the MFP 300 is not shown. Hereinafter, in the drawings and the like, the server computer 200 may be simply referred to as a server, and the MFP 300 may be simply referred to as an MFP.

[Hardware configuration]
In the network image forming system according to the present embodiment, the configuration of MFP 300 is the same as that of MFP 300 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, only the configuration of the server computer 200 will be described below.

<Server computer 200>
Referring to FIG. 8, server computer 200 configuring the external device in the network image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a bus 290, a CPU 210 connected to bus 290, a ROM 220 connected to bus 290, The RAM 230 connected to the bus 290, the hard disk 240 connected to the bus 290, and the optical disk 282 can be loaded and information can be written to and read from the optical disk 282. An input IF 250 connected to the optical disk drive 280 and connected to the bus 290 for providing an interface related to the connection between the mouse 252 and the keyboard 254 and an interface connected to the bus 290 and connected to the display 262 are provided. De for Splay IF260, wired or wireless (in the present embodiment wire) and a network IF270 providing a connection to the network line 400 by. The server computer 200 includes a magnetic disk drive that can be loaded with a magnetic disk and can write information to the magnetic disk and read information from the magnetic disk, instead of / in addition to the optical disk drive 280. It doesn't matter.

  The bus 290, the ROM 220, the RAM 230, the HDD 240, the optical disk drive 280, the input IF 250, the display IF 260, and the network IF 270 all operate in cooperation under the control of the CPU 210, and the server computer 200 is an external device according to the present embodiment. As a device, processing by various applications is realized.

  A computer program for causing server computer 200 to operate as an external device in the network image forming system according to the present embodiment is stored in optical disc 282 inserted into optical disc drive 280 and further transferred to HDD 240. This program may be transmitted to the server computer 200 through the network line 400 and stored in the HDD 240. The program is loaded into the RAM 230 when executed. A program may be loaded directly from the optical disk 282 to the RAM 230 via the network line 400.

  These programs include a plurality of instructions that cause server computer 200 to operate as an external device in the network image forming system according to the present embodiment. Some of the basic functions necessary to perform this operation are provided by operating system (OS) or third-party programs running on the server computer 200, or modules of various toolkits installed on the server computer 200. The Therefore, this program does not necessarily include all functions necessary for realizing the system and method of this embodiment. This program includes only an instruction for executing a predetermined process as the server computer 200 by calling an appropriate function or “tool” in a controlled manner so as to obtain a desired result. It only has to be. Since the general operation of the computer that is the entity of the server computer 200 is well known, it will not be repeated here.

Software configuration
<User authentication>
With reference to FIG. 9, a control structure of a program executed by CPU 310 included in MFP 300 and CPU 210 included in server computer 200 when the user of the processing apparatus is authenticated in the present embodiment will be described. In step 402, the CPU 310 determines whether the MFP 300 has received a signal requesting start of use from the user. If the determination in step 402 is affirmative, the control proceeds to step 404, and if negative, the control returns to step 402 again.

  In step 404, CPU 310 transmits to server computer 200 a signal requesting authentication of the user. In response to the server computer 200 receiving this signal at step 406, the CPU 210 included in the server computer determines whether or not the database stored in the optical disk 282 includes information relating to the authentication of the user. Verification is performed (step 408).

  In step 410, the CPU 210 determines whether or not information on a user matching the user is included in the database. If this determination is affirmative, control proceeds to step 412 where the user's usage history is read from the database. If the determination in step 410 is negative, control proceeds to step 414.

  In step 414, CPU 210 transmits the read usage history of the user to MFP 300. If it is determined in step 414 that there is no user information that matches the user, MFP 300 is notified that there is no usage history for the user.

  In step 416, the CPU 310 receives information about the user from the server computer 200, and determines whether or not to give authentication permission to the user based on this information (step 418). If this determination is positive, the routine branches and proceeds to step 420 and step 422. In step 420, the CPU 310 generates an operation screen 132 displayed after login, and in step 422, the CPU 310 generates an information screen 134 based on the received information regarding the user. If the determination is negative, control proceeds to step 424, and a screen for notifying that the user cannot use MFP 300 is generated and displayed on touch panel display 380. Thereafter, the execution of the program ends.

  In step 426, the CPU 310 combines the generated operation screen 132 and information screen 134 and displays the obtained entire screen 130 on the touch panel display 380. The overall screen 130, the operation screen 132, the information screen 134, and the like are the same as those shown in FIG. When the display of the entire screen 130 is completed, this program ends.

<Update usage history>
Referring to FIG. 10, when an authenticated user executes a printing process and the usage history of the user is updated, control of programs executed by CPU 310 included in MFP 300 and CPU 210 included in server computer 200 is controlled. The structure will be described. In step 440, CPU 310 determines whether printing processing has been executed by MFP 300. If this determination is positive, the routine branches to step 442 and step 444. If not, control returns to step 440 again.

  In step 444, the CPU 310 transmits user information regarding execution of the printing process to the server computer 200. In step 446, the CPU 210 receives the user information, and updates information related to the user's usage history stored in the database based on the information (step 448). In step 450, CPU 210 reads the updated usage history of the user from the database. In step 452, the read usage history information is transmitted to MFP 300. Note that when the process in step 452 is completed, the program executed by the CPU 210 ends.

  In step 454, the CPU 310 receives the updated usage history information of the user, and generates the information screen 202 based on this information (step 456).

  In step 442, the CPU 310 displays a screen (not shown) notifying that the printing process is being performed on the touch panel display 380. When the printing process is completed, the CPU 310 generates an operation screen 132 in step 458.

  The CPU 310 generates the entire screen 212 by combining the information screen 202 generated in step 456 and the operation screen 132 generated in step 458, and displays it on the touch panel display 380 (step 460). When the entire screen 212 is displayed, the program executed by the CPU 310 ends.

[Operation]
Operations of MFP 300 and server computer 200 based on the above-described configuration and flowchart will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6-10.

  Based on an instruction on the login screen displayed on the touch panel display 380, the user performs a login operation. In response to the start of the login operation by the user, MFP 300 transmits an authentication request for the user to server 200 (step 404). When this authentication request is received, the CPU 210 included in the server 200 collates the database and determines whether the information input by the user matches the information stored in the database (step 410). If they match, information about the user is read from the database and transmitted to the MFP 300. If they do not match, MFP 300 is notified that there is no matching information.

  Based on the information received from server 200, MFP 300 determines whether or not to grant authentication permission to the user (step 418). If the authentication is permitted, the CPU 310 generates an information screen 134 based on the information regarding the user. A whole screen 130 obtained by combining the information screen 134 and the operation screen 132 is displayed on the touch panel display 380. If the authentication of the user is not permitted, an unusable notice for notifying that the user cannot use the MFP 300 is displayed on the touch panel display 380 (step 424).

  When the user touches the monochrome print key 162 or the color print key 164, a printing operation is executed. In response to the execution of the printing operation, information related to the printing operation is transmitted to the server 200. The CPU 210 updates the database based on the printing operation information (step 448), and reads the updated usage history of the user from the database (step 450). The read usage history of the user is transmitted to the MFP 300, and a new information screen 202 is generated based on the usage history (step 456). The entire screen 212 in which the information screen 202 and the operation screen 132 are combined is displayed on the touch panel display 380 (step 460).

  In step 108 in FIG. 3 and step 418 in FIG. 9, one user is assumed to be authenticated. However, this target may be a plurality of people or a group. For example, if authentication is set for a group such as a department or section, the level of energy conservation measures for the entire group is displayed. Furthermore, by making it possible to compare the results of the action levels of the groups, it is possible to determine at a glance which group is implementing energy saving measures or not.

  In the embodiment according to the present invention, the information screen 134 displays a paper reduction rate display 204, a carbon dioxide reduction rate display 206, and a power consumption reduction rate display 208 based on the paper consumption and the power consumption. However, the display on the information screen is not limited to such display contents. For example, display based on other consumables such as ink and toner necessary for the printing operation may be performed. If the processing apparatus is not an image forming apparatus such as an MFP, the items corresponding to the characteristics of the processing apparatus may be displayed.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim of the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are included. Including.

130 Overall Screen 132 Operation Screen 134 Information Screen 136 Start Instruction Screen 200 Server Computer 210, 310 CPU
300 MFP

Claims (8)

An operation instruction device that is connected to a processing device, receives a user operation instruction for the processing device, and operates the processing device according to the operation instruction,
A display device having a display screen;
Input means for receiving input by the user;
An authentication unit connected to the input unit and executing a process for authenticating the user who performed the input based on the input received by the input unit;
Storage means for executing processing for storing a usage history of the processing device for each user;
In response to the user being authenticated by the processing of the authentication unit, a reading unit for reading the usage history of the processing device by the user from the usage history stored by the storage unit;
In response to the user being authenticated by the authentication unit, the display device and the input unit are used to confirm an operation instruction for the processing device by the user through interactive processing, and the operation instruction is followed according to the operation instruction. Instruction confirmation means for operating the processing device;
An update means for updating the usage history of the user in the storage means according to the instruction in response to the instruction being confirmed by the instruction confirming means according to the instruction;
The instruction determination unit generates an information screen regarding the usage status of the user with respect to the processing device based on the usage history read about the user by the reading unit in the interactive processing by the display device and the input unit. And an operation instruction device that displays on the display screen together with an operation screen for operating instructions to the processing device. The authentication means includes
Authentication information holding means for holding information related to user authentication;
Authentication execution for performing user authentication by comparing the input received by the input means and the information held in the authentication information holding means, connected to the input means and the authentication information holding means The operation instruction device according to claim 1, further comprising: means.   The operation instruction device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a storage unit capable of writing and reading, which stores a use history of the processing device for each user. Communication means for communicating with other devices;
Connected to the input means and the communication means, the input received by the input means is transmitted to a predetermined authentication server via the communication means to request authentication, and received from the authentication server via the communication means The operation instruction device according to claim 1, further comprising means for authenticating a user according to the authentication result. The storage means includes means for transmitting the content of use to another storage device via the communication means each time the processing device is used by a user,
The reading means receives a history of use of the processing device by the user from the other storage device via the communication means in response to the user being authenticated by the processing of the authentication means. The operation instruction device according to claim 4, comprising a receiving unit.   The said information screen regarding the said user's utilization condition contains the information regarding the approach level which digitized the degree of the energy-saving measure which the said user performed when operating the said processing apparatus. The operation instruction device according to any one of the above.   7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the instruction determination unit displays a screen for inputting an operation instruction and a screen relating to a usage status of a user adjacent to the display screen of the display device. The operation instruction device according to any one of the above. The operation instruction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A processing device connected to the operation instruction device and responding to receiving an operation instruction by a user via the operation instruction device, and operating according to the operation instruction;
The processing apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium in response to the operation instruction.

Images