JP2013152721A - System, information processing device, information processing method, information processing program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user of an image forming apparatus with an added value by controlling the image forming apparatus using an information processing device connected to the image forming apparatus having an operation screen accepting a process execution request by a user.SOLUTION: A system comprises an image forming apparatus 300 having an operation screen that accepts a process execution request by a user, and an information processing device 100 connected to the image forming apparatus. The information processing device includes: input means 120 for accepting an operation from the user; and notification means 140 that, when input information satisfies a predetermined condition, provides a notification of a control request for the image forming apparatus. Upon receiving the notification, the image forming apparatus executes an image forming process on the basis of the notification, or controls an operation screen from a state in which a process execution request is limited to a state in which an execution request can be accepted.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing an operation using an input device provided in an information processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus provided with an operation screen for receiving a process execution request by a user.

In recent years, there are some commercially available multifunction peripherals that can limit available functions for each user. Such existing multifunction devices are all capable of function restriction (function use restriction) only at a level such as a copy function and a scan function (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, it is a multi-function machine that can restrict the use of functions up to functions at the processing condition level, and there are functions that are disabled due to restricted use from the operation screen displayed on the touch screen. Technologies related to multifunction devices that allow users to grasp the above are also disclosed.

  By the way, there is a technology that attaches an external device having a touch panel to a low-cost multifunction device or printer that does not have a touch panel and provides advanced functions such as user authentication by the touch panel. There was a problem that the input device could be operated simultaneously.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus is controlled by controlling the image forming apparatus using an information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus having an operation screen for accepting a process execution request by a user. It is an object to provide a system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium that provide added value to a person.

A system according to the present invention is a system configured by an information processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus having an operation screen for receiving a process execution request by a user.
The information processing apparatus includes:
An input means for receiving an operation from a user;
Notification means for notifying a control request to the image forming apparatus when the input information satisfies a predetermined condition;
When receiving the notification, the image forming apparatus executes an image forming process based on the notification, or controls the operation screen from a state where the execution request for the process is limited to a state where the execution request can be accepted. It is characterized by.

In one form of the system according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus
Operator authentication means for authenticating the operator;
When the input information satisfies a predetermined condition, the control is performed so as not to accept an operation from the image forming apparatus, and the authentication of the input person is performed by the operator authentication unit It is characterized by being.

In one form of the system according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus
When the input information satisfies a predetermined condition, the operation screen of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus, and a control request is made to the image forming apparatus using the operation screen. It is characterized by that.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the image forming apparatus is controlled by controlling the image forming apparatus using an information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus having an operation screen for accepting a process execution request by a user. It is possible to provide a system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium that provide added value to a person.

1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an image forming system according to an embodiment. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of operation of the image forming system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure for showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process example (1) by the image forming system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process example (2) by the image forming system which concerns on this Embodiment.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Operation Principle of Image Forming System According to this Embodiment)
The operation principle of the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an image forming system 1 according to the present invention. The image forming system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 100 and an image forming apparatus 300. The information processing apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 300 include a LAN (Local Area Network) cable, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 500, or its Connected at both. The information processing apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 300 may be connected via a wireless communication network. Further, the image forming apparatus 300 and / or the information processing apparatus 100 are connected to a communication network such as a LAN. Then, it is connected to one or more terminals 600 via a communication network such as a LAN, and an execution request for image forming processing is acquired from the terminals 600.

  Next, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation principle of the image forming system 1. First, the operation principle of the information processing apparatus 100 will be described. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a display unit 110, a second input unit (second input unit) 120, a control request generation unit 130, a control request notification unit 140, an operator authentication unit 150, and an authentication database 160.

  The display unit 110 is a device that displays an operation screen or the like for operating the image forming apparatus 300. The second input unit 120 is a device that accepts an operator's input, and may be configured to accept an operator's input (key input) with a keyboard or the like, or displayed on the display unit 110 with a device such as a mouse. The pointer may be moved and the button corresponding to the operation intended by the operator may be pressed (clicked). The second input means 120 is a touch panel integrated with the display means 110. In this case, the second input means 120 may be configured to detect that the operation display on the touch panel has been touched and accept an operator's input. good. The display unit 110 and the second input unit 120 may be the same device as long as they fulfill the above functions.

  The control request generation unit 130 generates a control request to the image forming apparatus 300 based on the operator input received by the second input unit 120. Here, the control request is a request for causing the image forming apparatus 300 to execute copy processing, facsimile processing, printer processing, and the like. For example, when the operator inputs using the second input unit 120 to cause the image forming apparatus 300 to perform copy processing, the control request generating unit 130 causes the image forming apparatus 300 to execute copy processing. Is generated. Further, the control request may be a request to cancel the control with respect to the image forming apparatus 300 that is controlled not to accept an operation input using the input device of the image forming apparatus 300. That is, the control request generation unit 130 generates a request for executing control for receiving an operation input using the input device of the image forming apparatus 300.

  The control request notifying unit 140 notifies the image forming apparatus 300 of the control request generated by the control request generating unit 130. In this case, notification may be made through a LAN cable or USB cable 500, or notification may be made through a wireless communication network.

  The operator authentication means 150 displays an operation screen for authenticating the operator on the display means 110, and authenticates the operator based on the input from the second input means 120 using the operation screen. For example, a display prompting the operator to input an ID and password is displayed on the display unit 110, the input of the ID and password is received from the second input unit 120, and the ID and password received by the second input unit 120 are used. Authenticate the operator. The database (authentication database) 160 for authenticating the operator may be stored in a storage device included in the information processing apparatus 100 or may be stored in a storage device outside the information processing apparatus 100. Also good. The authentication of the operator is performed, for example, by comparing the input ID and password with the authentication database 160 and searching for matching information (a combination of ID and password). If the information in the database matches, the operator is authenticated. Therefore, the display unit 110 may display an operation screen or the like of the image forming apparatus 300 on the condition that the authentication has been performed, and the control request generation unit on the condition that the authentication has been performed. 130 may generate the control request as described above. Here, the authentication of the operator is not limited to an authentication form using an ID and a password, but may be an authentication form using a so-called biometric authentication technique. If the operator can be authenticated, other forms are used. There may be.

  Next, the operation principle of the image forming apparatus 300 will be described. The image forming apparatus 300 includes an image forming unit 310, a first input unit (first input device) 320, and an operation reception prohibiting unit 330. The first input unit 320 is a device for accepting an operator's processing request using a device such as a keyboard, operation buttons, and a touch panel. The image forming unit 310 performs image forming processing such as copy processing, facsimile processing, and printer processing. In a normal usage mode in the image forming apparatus 300, the image forming unit 310 performs the processing based on an operator's processing request received from the first input unit 320. Execute the process.

  The operation reception prohibiting unit 330 controls the image forming unit 310 so as not to receive an input related to an operation using the first input unit 320 (input restriction control). For example, the operation reception prohibiting unit 330 performs control. The image forming unit 310 does not accept execution requests for copy processing, facsimile processing, printer processing, and the like using the first input unit 320, and does not execute image forming processing such as copy processing.

  The image forming unit 310 executes the image forming process based on the control request notified by the control request notification unit 140 when the input restriction control as described above is performed by the operation reception prohibiting unit 330. The image forming unit 310 cancels the control based on the request to cancel the input restriction control by the operation reception prohibiting unit 330 notified by the control request notification unit 140, and performs processing from the first input unit 320. It is also possible to accept the request and execute the image forming process based on the processing request.

  Hereinafter, the flow of processing by the image forming system 1 will be described. Here, since the state in which the image forming unit 310 is subjected to the input restriction control by the operation reception prohibiting unit 330 is set as an initial state, the operation of the image forming apparatus 300 cannot be performed from the first input unit 320. First, the operator authentication unit 150 causes the display unit 110 to display an operation screen for authenticating the operator, receives the operator's ID and password through the second input unit 120, and then receives the ID and password. The operator is authenticated as compared with the authentication database 160.

  After the authentication by the operator authentication unit 150 is performed, the display unit 110 displays the operation screen of the image forming apparatus 300, and the second input unit 120 uses the operation screen to copy the image forming apparatus 300. The processing request is accepted. Subsequently, the control request generation unit 130 generates a control request for causing the image forming apparatus 300 to perform the processing based on the processing request received by the second input unit 120, and the control request notification unit 140. The control request is notified to the image forming apparatus 300. On the other hand, the image forming unit 310 acquires the control request notified by the control request notifying unit 140, and executes image forming processing such as copying based on the control request.

  Hereinafter, processing different from the above will be described. However, since the state in which the image forming unit 310 is controlled by the operation reception prohibiting unit 330 is set as the initial state, the operation of the image forming apparatus 300 cannot be performed from the first input unit 320. And First, the operator authentication unit 150 causes the display unit 110 to display an operation screen for authenticating the operator, receives the operator's ID and password by the second input unit 120, and then receives the ID and password. Compared with the authentication database 160, the operator is authenticated.

  When the operator authentication unit 150 can authenticate the operator, the control request generation unit 130 generates a control request for canceling the input restriction control by the operation reception prohibition unit 330, and the control request notification unit 140 outputs the control request. The image forming apparatus 300 is notified. On the other hand, the image forming unit 310 cancels the input restriction control by the operation reception prohibiting unit 330 based on the control request notified by the control request notification unit 140 and receives the operation request from the first input unit 320. When the first input unit 320 accepts an operation request from the operator, the image forming unit 310 executes an image forming process based on the operation request.

  In the present invention, by performing the processing as described above, the operation input on the image forming apparatus side is restricted, and the image forming apparatus is controlled using the connected information processing apparatus, whereby the image It is possible to provide an image forming system and an image forming method that provide added value to the user of the forming apparatus.

(Hardware configuration of image forming system according to the present embodiment)
A hardware configuration example of the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
(1) Hardware configuration of information processing apparatus FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 210, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 220, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 230, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 240, a communication I / F (InterFace) 250, and a display device. 260 and an input device 270.

  The CPU 210 is a device that executes a program stored in the ROM 220, performs arithmetic processing on data expanded (loaded) in the RAM 230 in accordance with a program instruction, and controls the entire information processing apparatus 100. The ROM 220 stores programs executed by the CPU 210 and data. When the CPU 210 executes a program stored in the ROM 220 by the CPU 210, the program or data to be executed is expanded (loaded), and temporarily holds the operation data during the operation.

  The HDD 240 is a device that stores an OS (Operating System) that is basic software, an application program according to the present embodiment, a plug-in for function expansion, and the like together with related data. The authentication database 160 according to the present embodiment may be stored in the HDD 240. The OS that is the basic software may be installed in the ROM 220. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 100 may have a drive device (not shown) in which a storage medium such as an SD card can be attached or detached instead of the HDD 240 or in addition to the HDD 240. The drive device is configured such that a storage medium such as an SD card is detachable, and is used when writing a program or data to the storage medium, and is used when reading a program or data recorded on the storage medium. Is done.

  The communication I / F 250 is an interface for exchanging information (data) with peripheral devices having other communication control functions connected via a communication network. In the present embodiment, control requests are transmitted to and received from the image forming apparatus 300 connected to the LAN in accordance with a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Further, the information processing apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 300 may be connected via the communication I / F 250 via the USB cable 500 or may be connected via a wireless communication network.

  The display device 260 includes a key switch using hard keys and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and functions as a user interface for performing various settings when the user uses the functions of the information processing apparatus 100. is there. In addition, the input device 270 is a device that accepts user input. In the present embodiment, the display device 260 and the input device 270 may be the same device or may be independent devices. .

  Each unit of the information processing apparatus 100 may be realized by the CPU 210 executing a program corresponding to each unit stored in the ROM 220 or the HDD 240, and the processing related to each unit is realized by hardware. It is good also as a form.

(2) Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 300 includes a CPU 410, ROM 420, RAM 430, HDD 440, communication I / F 450, input device 460, scanner 470, and plotter 480.

  The CPU 410 is a device that executes a program stored in the ROM 420. The CPU 410 performs arithmetic processing on data expanded (loaded) in the RAM 430 in accordance with the instructions of the program and controls the entire image forming apparatus 300. The ROM 420 stores programs and data executed by the CPU 410. When the CPU 410 executes a program stored in the ROM 420, the RAM 430 is loaded (loaded) with the program and data to be executed, and temporarily holds the operation data during the operation.

  The HDD 440 is a device that stores an OS as basic software, an application program according to the present embodiment, a plug-in for function expansion, and the like together with related data.

  The communication I / F 450 is an interface for exchanging information (data) with a peripheral device having another communication control function connected via a communication network. In the present embodiment, control requests are transmitted to and received from the information processing apparatus 100 connected to the LAN in accordance with a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. Further, the information processing apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 300 may be connected via the communication I / F 250 via the USB cable 500 or may be connected via a wireless communication network. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 300 receives electronic data transmitted from the terminal 600 via the communication I / F 450 and performs processing (printer processing) for outputting the electronic data using a plotter 480 described later. Also good.

  The input device 460 is a device that functions as a user interface for performing various settings when the user uses the functions of the image forming apparatus 300 such as key switches using hard keys. The scanner 470 is a device that reads a document and inputs image data to the image reading device 300, and the plotter 480 is a device that outputs image data to a print medium.

  Each unit of the image forming apparatus 300 may be realized by causing the CPU 410 to execute a program corresponding to each unit stored in the ROM 420 or the HDD 440, and the processing related to each unit may be realized by hardware. It is good also as a form.

(Example of processing by image forming system according to the present embodiment)
A processing example by the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
(1) Processing for Instructing Image Forming Processing in Information Processing Device FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment. Here, FIG. An example of processing for controlling the image forming apparatus 300 in the processing apparatus 100 will be described. Further, in this description, it is assumed that the image forming unit 310 is controlled by the operation reception prohibiting unit 330 and an operation request to the image forming apparatus 300 cannot be made from the first input unit 320. In S10, the image forming system 1 starts processing.

  In S20, the operator authentication unit 150 causes the display unit 260 to display an operation screen for authenticating the operator on the display unit 110, and the second input unit 120 performs authentication of the operator from the input device 270. Data (for example, user ID and password) is received. Then, the operator authentication unit 150 compares the received data with the authentication database 160 to authenticate the operator.

  After the operator is authenticated by the operator authentication unit 150 in S30, the display unit 110 displays an operation screen for operating the image forming apparatus 300 on the display device 260, and the second input unit 120 displays the operation screen. An operation request using is accepted. Here, the operation request is an image forming process such as a copy process, a facsimile process, or a printer process.

  The control request generation unit 130 generates a control request for causing the image forming apparatus 300 to execute the operation based on the operation request received by the second input unit 120 in S40, and the control request notification unit 140 in S50 The control request generated by the control request generation unit 130 is notified to the image forming apparatus 300. Here, the notification may be notified through a wired communication network such as a LAN via the communication I / F 250, or may be notified through a wireless communication network. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 300 may be notified directly through the USB cable 500 or the like.

  In S60, the image forming unit 310 acquires the control request notified by the control request notifying unit 140. In S70, the image forming unit 310 executes image forming processing based on the control request. When the control request is a copy process, the image forming unit 310 acquires image data of the original using the scanner 470 and outputs the image data to a print medium such as paper using the plotter 480. Further, when the control request is facsimile processing, the image forming unit 310 acquires image data of the original using the scanner 470, and sends the image data to a specified destination via the communication I / F 450. Send. Further, when the control request is a printer process, the image forming unit 310 acquires the image data of the document via the communication I / F 450 and outputs the image data to a print medium such as paper using the plotter 480. .

When the image forming process corresponding to the control request is completed, the image forming system 1 ends the process in S80. Here, the display device 260 and the input device 270 may be the same device, such as a touch panel that performs input by touching the displayed operation screen.
By performing the processing as described above, it is possible to provide an image forming system that allows input operations from the information processing apparatus 100 connected to the image forming apparatus 300 while restricting input operations from the image forming apparatus 300. Can provide added value to the user.
(2) Processing for Forming Image After Canceling Operation Prohibition in Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment. Here, FIG. 6 is used. Processing for making an operation request from the input device 460 of the image forming apparatus 300 will be described. Also in this description, it is assumed that the image forming unit 310 is subjected to input restriction control by the operation reception prohibiting unit 330 and the operation of the image forming apparatus 300 cannot be performed from the first input unit 320. . In S110, the image forming system 1 starts processing.

  In S120, the operator authentication unit 150 causes the display unit 260 to display an operation screen for authenticating the operator on the display unit 110, and the second input unit 120 performs authentication of the operator from the input device 270. Data (for example, user ID and password) is received. Then, the operator authentication unit 150 compares the received data with the authentication database 160 to authenticate the operator.

  In S130, the control request generation unit 130 generates a control request for canceling the input restriction control that the operation reception prohibiting unit 330 does not accept the operation request from the first input unit 320, and in S140, the control request notification The means 140 notifies the image forming apparatus 300 of the control request generated by the control request generating means 130. Here, the notification may be notified through a wired communication network such as a LAN via the communication I / F 250, or may be notified through a wireless communication network. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 300 may be notified directly through the USB cable 500 or the like.

  In S150, the image forming unit 310 acquires the control request notified by the control request notification unit 140, and cancels the input restriction control by the operation reception prohibiting unit 330. In step S160, the first input unit 320 receives an operation request from the operator, and in step S170, the image forming unit 310 executes image forming processing based on the operation request received by the first input unit 320. When the control request is a copy process, the image forming unit 310 acquires image data of the original using the scanner 470 and outputs the image data to a print medium such as paper using the plotter 480. Further, when the control request is facsimile processing, the image forming unit 310 acquires image data of a document using the scanner 470, and sends the image data to a specified destination via the communication I / F 450. Send. Further, when the control request is a printer process, the image forming unit 310 acquires image data of the document via the communication I / F 450 and outputs the image data to a print medium such as paper using the plotter 480. .

When the image forming process corresponding to the control request is completed, the image forming system 1 ends the process in S180. Here, the display device 260 and the input device 270 may be the same device, such as a touch panel that performs input by touching the displayed operation screen.
Although the input operation from the image forming apparatus 300 is initially restricted by performing the processing as described above, the input restriction in the image forming apparatus 300 is released on condition that the user can be authenticated in the information processing apparatus 100. In addition, an image forming system that enables an input operation from the image forming apparatus 300 can be provided, and a user can be provided with added value.

(Summary)
Therefore, according to the present invention, the operation input on the image forming apparatus side is restricted, and the image forming apparatus is controlled using the connected information processing apparatus, thereby adding value to the user of the image forming apparatus. An image forming system and an image forming method can be provided.
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 100 Information processing apparatus 110 Display means 120 Second input means 130 Control request generation means 140 Control request notification means 150 Operator authentication means 160 Authentication database 210 CPU
220 ROM
230 RAM
240 HDD
250 Communication I / F
260 Display device (touch panel)
270 Input device 300 Image forming device 310 Image forming means 320 Input device 330 Operation acceptance prohibiting means 410 CPU
420 ROM
430 RAM
440 HDD
450 Communication I / F
460 Input device 470 Scanner 480 Plotter 500 USB cable 600 Terminal

JP-A-8-130654 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-230054

Claims (8)

In a system composed of an image forming apparatus having an operation screen for accepting a process execution request by a user and an information processing apparatus connected thereto,
The information processing apparatus includes:
An input means for receiving an operation from a user;
Notification means for notifying a control request to the image forming apparatus when the input information satisfies a predetermined condition;
When receiving the notification, the image forming apparatus executes an image forming process based on the notification, or controls the operation screen from a state where the execution request for the process is limited to a state where the execution request can be accepted. A system characterized by The information processing apparatus includes:
Operator authentication means for authenticating the operator;
When the input information satisfies a predetermined condition, the control is performed so as not to accept an operation from the image forming apparatus, and the authentication of the input person is performed by the operator authentication unit The system according to claim 1, wherein: The information processing apparatus includes:
When the input information satisfies a predetermined condition, the operation screen of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus, and a control request is made to the image forming apparatus using the operation screen. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. In an information processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus having an operation screen for accepting a process execution request by a user,
The information processing apparatus includes:
An input means for receiving an operation from a user;
Notification means for notifying a control request to the image forming apparatus when the input information satisfies a predetermined condition;
The image forming apparatus that has received the notification executes image forming processing based on the notification, or controls the operation screen from a state in which execution requests for the processing are limited to a state in which the execution request can be accepted. Information processing apparatus. In an information processing method in a system including an image forming apparatus having an operation screen for receiving a processing execution request by a user and an information processing apparatus connected thereto,
The information processing apparatus includes:
An input procedure for accepting operations from users,
A notification procedure for notifying a control request to the image forming apparatus when the input information satisfies a predetermined condition;
When receiving the notification, the image forming apparatus executes an image forming process based on the notification, or controls the operation screen from a state where the execution request for the process is limited to a state where the execution request can be accepted. An information processing method characterized by the above. In an information processing method in an information processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus having an operation screen for receiving a process execution request by a user,
An input procedure for accepting operations from users,
A notification procedure for notifying a control request to the image forming apparatus when the input information satisfies a predetermined condition;
The image forming apparatus that has received the notification executes image forming processing based on the notification, or controls the operation screen from a state in which execution requests for the processing are limited to a state in which the execution request can be accepted. Information processing method.   An information processing program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 6.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the information processing program according to claim 7 is recorded.

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