JP2014027357A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce time and effort for allowing a user to change setting of a function of an execution object when the function which is previously set as the function of the execution object while an image forming apparatus is in an initial state is a function whose execution is not permitted for the user, if the user is authenticated.SOLUTION: When an authenticated user is set in a log-in state, an image forming apparatus sets a function matching a user approval function as a function of an object to be executed among alternative functions instead of a function different from the user approval function in one or a plurality of functions which are previously set as the functions of the object to be executed while the image forming apparatus is in an initial state where the authentication user in the log-in state does not exist on the basis of user approval information that makes the user approval functions which are previously stored and which the respective authentication users can set as the object functions to correspond to the respective authentication users and of alternative function information in which combination of the mutually alternative functions is determined.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for setting a function to be executed in an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below, for each user registered in advance in the image forming apparatus, a technique for registering a function permitted to be used by each user is known. It has been. Then, if the user is authenticated as a registered user, for example, by entering a user name and password, using the technology, only the functions that have been previously permitted for the user are used. A technique for making it usable is known.

  In addition, in an image forming apparatus, generally, for example, a combination of alternative functions that cannot be executed together, such as a single-sided printing function or a double-sided printing function that is executed when a copy function is executed, is used by a user. A technique is known in which a function that is frequently executed is set in advance as a function to be executed during an initial state in which no authenticated user exists. By using this technology, among functions that can be substituted, functions that are frequently used are preset as functions to be executed. Opportunities for selecting an execution target function from the combination and setting the selected function as the execution target function are reduced.

JP 2005-086561 A JP 2006-344128 A

  However, using the above technique, for example, when the double-sided printing function is preset as a function to be executed while the image forming apparatus is in the initial state, when the user is authenticated, the authenticated user is notified. On the other hand, use of the single-sided printing function is permitted, but use of the double-sided printing function may not be permitted. In this case, the authenticated user cancels the setting as the execution target function of the double-sided printing function, and uses the one-sided printing function permitted for the authenticated user as the execution target function. I had to take the trouble of performing the setting operation again.

  As described above, while the image forming apparatus is in the initial state, a function that has been set in advance as an execution target function is permitted to be set as an execution target function for an authenticated user thereafter. If it is a function that does not exist, the authenticated user has to spend time and effort to reset the replaceable function that is permitted to be set for the authenticated user as the function to be executed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when a user is authenticated, a function that has been set in advance as a function to be executed during the initial state of the image forming apparatus is given to the user. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the user's trouble of changing the setting of a function to be executed when the function is not permitted to be executed.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a control unit that executes a plurality of functions, and login information for authenticating an authenticated user who is permitted in advance to use the image forming apparatus. Is stored in association with a plurality of authenticated users, a login information receiving unit that receives input of the login information, and the login information received by the login information receiving unit is the user information storage. A login authentication unit that places the authenticated user corresponding to the login information in a login state when the login information matches the login information stored in the unit, and a function to be executed by the control unit among the plurality of functions Accepting the designation by the authenticated user in the logged-in state, A target function setting unit that sets the function as a target function, and an authorization information storage unit that stores in advance user authorization information that associates each authenticated user with a user authorization function that can be set as the target function by each authenticated user And an alternative function information storage unit that preliminarily stores alternative function information that defines combinations of functions that can be substituted for each other among the plurality of functions, and when the authenticated user is brought into the login state by the login authentication unit, Of the initial setting function that is one or more functions preset as the target function while the image forming apparatus is in the initial state, the user authorization for the authenticated user in the login state In place of the user prohibition function, which is a function different from the user authorization function associated with the information, Among the functions that can be substituted for the user prohibition function defined in the function information, the user substitution function that is a function that matches the user authorization function associated with the user authorization information for the authenticated user in the login state And a first target function changing unit that executes a first target function changing process for setting the target function as the target function.

  According to this configuration, when the authenticated user enters the login state, the user substitution function is automatically set as the target function instead of the user prohibition function. For this reason, when an authenticated user enters the login state, the authenticated user manually replaces the user prohibition function with a user substitution function that can be substituted for the user prohibition function. It is possible to reduce the trouble of setting an alternative function as a target function.

  The plurality of authenticated users are previously grouped into a plurality of groups, and the user information storage unit further includes group information for identifying a group to which each authenticated user belongs to the plurality of authentication users. The authorization information storage unit further stores group authorization information that associates each group with a group authorization function that is a function that can be set as the target function by an authenticated user belonging to each group. A group identified by the group information associated with the authenticated user in the login state of the initial setting function when the authenticated user is in the login state by the login authentication unit. For an authentication group, the group associated by the group authorization information Among the functions that can be substituted for the group prohibition function defined in the alternative function information, instead of the group prohibition function that is different from the group authorization function, the authentication group is associated with the authentication group by the group authorization information. It is preferable to further include a second target function change unit that executes a second target function change process that sets a group substitution function that is a function that matches the given group authorization function as the target function.

  According to this configuration, when the authenticated user enters the login state, the group substitution function is automatically set as the target function instead of the group prohibition function. For this reason, when an authenticated user is logged in, the authenticated user must know the group authorization function corresponding to the authentication group to which he belongs in addition to the user authorization function corresponding to himself, and manually, Compared with the case where the group substitution function is set as the target function instead of the group prohibition function, it is possible to reduce the trouble of setting the group substitution function as the target function.

  Further, in the first target function changing process, the first target function changing unit, when there are a plurality of user prohibition functions, replaces the plurality of user prohibition functions with a plurality of user substitution functions, respectively. A user coexistence function that is a user alternative function that can be set together with a user alternative function that has already been set as the target function when set as a function, and cannot be set as the target function together with the user coexistence function It is preferable to sequentially set the target function in advance from the user substitution function having a large number of first exclusive functions.

  According to this configuration, when there are a plurality of user prohibition functions when an authenticated user enters a login state, when setting a plurality of user alternative functions as target functions instead of the plurality of user prohibition functions, A user alternative function that is a user alternative function that can be set together with a user alternative function that has been set as a target function, and has a large number of first exclusive functions that are other functions that cannot be set together with the user compatible function. Are sequentially set as target functions.

  Therefore, since the number of other functions that cannot be set together decreases as the user alternative function set later as the target function, the user alternative function is set as the target function later by setting the user alternative function as the target function later. The probability that the user alternative function is canceled can be lowered, and a plurality of user alternative functions can be efficiently set as target functions.

  Further, in the first target function changing process, the first target function changing unit, when there are a plurality of user prohibition functions, replaces the plurality of user prohibition functions with a plurality of user substitution functions, respectively. A user coexistence function that is a user alternative function that can be set together with a user alternative function that has already been set as the target function when set as a function, and cannot be set as the target function together with the user coexistence function The user alternative functions having a large number of first exclusive functions, which are the functions of the first function, are sequentially set as the target functions, and the second target function changing unit determines whether the group prohibited function is in the second target function changing process. In the case where there are a plurality of groups, a plurality of group substitution functions instead of the plurality of group prohibition functions are respectively referred to as the target function Group coexistence function that is a group substitution function that can be set together with the group substitution function that has already been set as the target function, and cannot be set as the target function together with the group coexistence function. It is preferable to sequentially set the target function in advance from the group substitution function having a large number of second exclusive functions as functions.

  According to this configuration, when there are a plurality of user prohibition functions when an authenticated user enters a login state, when setting a plurality of user alternative functions as target functions instead of the plurality of user prohibition functions, A user alternative function that is a user alternative function that can be set together with a user alternative function that has been set as a target function, and has a large number of first exclusive functions that are other functions that cannot be set together with the user compatible function. Are sequentially set as target functions.

  Therefore, since the number of other functions that cannot be set together decreases as the user alternative function set later as the target function, the user alternative function is set as the target function later by setting the user alternative function as the target function later. The probability that the user alternative function is canceled can be lowered, and a plurality of user alternative functions can be efficiently set as target functions.

  Further, according to this configuration, when an authenticated user enters a login state and there are a plurality of group prohibition functions, when setting a plurality of group replacement functions as target functions instead of the plurality of group prohibition functions, A group having a group exchanging function that can be set together with a group substituting function that has already been set as a target function and having a large number of second exclusive functions that are other functions that cannot be set together with the group coexisting function The alternative functions are set in order as the target functions first.

  Therefore, as the group substitution function set later as the target function becomes smaller, the number of other functions that cannot be set together decreases. Therefore, by setting the group substitution function as the target function later, it was set as the target function first. The probability that the group substitution function is canceled can be reduced, and a plurality of group substitution functions can be efficiently set as target functions.

  In addition, when two functions included in each combination are sequentially set as the target functions for a plurality of combinations when combining two different functions from among the plurality of functions, the functions included in the combination Among them, whether it is a first pattern that is a combination that should be set as the target function only the function that is set first, or a second pattern that is a combination that should be set both of the two functions as the target function, Alternatively, among the functions included in the combination, the third pattern is a combination in which only the function set after the cancellation of the setting as the target function of the function set first is set as the target function Or further comprising a setting pattern information storage unit for preliminarily storing setting pattern information that determines whether the first exclusive function is It is a function that is combined as the previously set function by the combination of the third pattern with respect to the user coexistence function, and the first target function changing unit sequentially changes the user coexistence function to the target function When the first exclusive function corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function is set as the target function, the first corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function is further set. It is preferable to cancel the setting of the exclusive function as the target function.

  According to this configuration, when a plurality of user coexistence functions are sequentially set as target functions, the setting target user coexistence functions are combined as functions set first by the combination of the third pattern. The functions having the largest number of functions are set as target functions first. In addition, whenever a user coexistence function is sequentially set as a target function, a function that is combined as a previously set function is set as a target function for the target user coexistence function by a combination of the third pattern. If it is set, the setting as the target function is canceled.

  Therefore, as the user coexistence function is set as the target function later, the number of functions that have already been canceled as the target function increases, so the first exclusive function corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function is the target. The possibility of being set as a function is reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the opportunity to perform processing for canceling the setting as the target function that should not be set as the target function first in relation to the setting target user coexistence function.

  In addition, when two functions included in each combination are sequentially set as the target functions for a plurality of combinations when combining two different functions from among the plurality of functions, the functions included in the combination Among them, whether it is a first pattern that is a combination that should be set as the target function only the function that is set first, or a second pattern that is a combination that should be set both of the two functions as the target function, Alternatively, among the functions included in the combination, the third pattern is a combination in which only the function set after the cancellation of the setting as the target function of the function set first is set as the target function Or further comprising a setting pattern information storage unit for preliminarily storing setting pattern information that determines whether the first exclusive function is It is a function that is combined as the previously set function by the combination of the third pattern with respect to the user coexistence function, and the first target function changing unit sequentially changes the user coexistence function to the target function When the first exclusive function corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function is set as the target function, the first corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function is further set. The setting of the exclusive function as the target function is canceled, and the second exclusive function is a function that is combined with the group coexistence function as the previously set function by the combination of the third pattern. Each time the second target function changing unit sequentially sets the group coexistence function as the target function, the setting target group is changed. When the second exclusive function corresponding to the group coexistence function is set as the target function, the second exclusive function corresponding to the setting target group coexistence function is further set as the target function. Is preferably released.

  According to this configuration, when a plurality of user coexistence functions are sequentially set as target functions, the setting target user coexistence functions are combined as functions set first by the combination of the third pattern. The functions having the largest number of functions are set as target functions first. In addition, whenever a user coexistence function is sequentially set as a target function, a function that is combined as a previously set function is set as a target function for the target user coexistence function by a combination of the third pattern. If it is set, the setting as the target function is canceled.

  Therefore, as the user coexistence function is set as the target function later, the number of functions that have already been canceled as the target function increases, so the first exclusive function corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function is the target. The possibility of being set as a function is reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the opportunity to perform processing for canceling the setting as the target function that should not be set as the target function first in relation to the setting target user coexistence function.

  Furthermore, according to this configuration, when a plurality of group coexistence functions are sequentially set as the target function, the setting target group coexistence function is combined as a function set earlier by the combination of the third pattern. The functions that are set in large numbers are set as target functions first. In addition, whenever a group coexistence function is sequentially set as a target function, a function that is combined as a function that is set earlier is set as the target function by the combination of the third pattern for the target group coexistence function If it is set, the setting as the target function is canceled.

  Therefore, as the group coexistence function is set as the target function later, the number of functions that have already been set as the target function increases, so the second exclusive function corresponding to the group coexistence function to be set is the target. The possibility of being set as a function is reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the opportunity to perform the process of canceling the setting as the target function that should not be set as the target function first in relation to the setting target group coexistence function.

  According to the present invention, when a user is authenticated, a function that is set in advance as a function to be executed while the image forming apparatus is in an initial state is a function that is not permitted to be executed by the user. In some cases, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the trouble of the user changing the setting of the function to be executed.

1 is a schematic structural diagram of a multifunction peripheral that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of an operation part. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of a multifunction machine. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the user information storage part. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the alternative function information storage part and the authorization information storage part. The flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a 1st object function change process and a 2nd object function change process. The flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement of the process which performs the function set as an object function. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a login screen. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation screen for setting a target function. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation screen for performing the setting of the target function after a 1st target function change process. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation screen for performing the setting of the target function after a 2nd target function change process. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the setting pattern information memorize | stored in the setting pattern information storage part.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes a document reading unit 5, a document feeding unit 6, a main body unit 8, and an operation unit 7.

  The document reading unit 5 is disposed on the upper portion of the main body unit 8. The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner unit 51 including an exposure lamp and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and a document table 52 and a document reading slit 53 made of a transparent member such as glass.

  The scanner unit 51 is configured to be movable by a drive unit (not shown). When reading a document placed on the document table 52, the scanner unit 51 is moved along the document surface at a position facing the document table 52, and the document image is scanned. The image data acquired while scanning is output to the control unit 10 described later. Further, when reading a document fed by the document feeding unit 6, the document is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and synchronized with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 6 via the document reading slit 53. The image of the original is acquired, and the image data is output to the control unit 10 described later.

  The document feeding unit 6 is disposed above the document reading unit 5. The document feeding unit 6 includes a document placing unit 61 for placing a document, a document discharge unit 62 for discharging a document whose image has been read, and a document placed on the document placing unit 61. A document transport mechanism 63 that feeds the sheets one by one, transports them to a position facing the document reading slit 53, and discharges them to the document discharge section 62;

  The main body 8 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461, a paper feed roller 412 that feeds paper one by one from the paper feed cassette 461 or the manual feed tray 462, and conveys the image to the image forming unit 4. An image forming unit 4 to be formed, and a stack tray 47 and a discharge tray 48 from which a sheet on which an image is formed are discharged are provided.

  The image forming unit 4 includes a paper transport unit 41, an optical scanning device 42, a photosensitive drum 43, a developing unit 44, a transfer unit 45, and a fixing unit 46.

  The paper transport unit 41 is provided in the paper transport path in the image forming unit 4, and transports the paper transported by the paper feed roller 412 to the photosensitive drum 43 and transports the paper to the stack tray 47. A transport roller 414 for transporting the paper, a transport roller 415 for transporting the paper to the discharge tray 48, and the like.

  The optical scanning device 42 outputs laser light based on the image data input to the control unit 10. The optical scanning device 42 scans the photosensitive drum 43 with this laser beam, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 43.

  The developing unit 44 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 43. The transfer unit 45 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 43 to a sheet. The fixing unit 46 heats the sheet on which the toner image is transferred to fix the toner image on the sheet.

  The operation unit 7 is provided in the front part of the multifunction machine 1 and is configured to allow input of various operation instructions by the user. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the operation unit 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 7 is provided with a touch panel device 71, indicators 72a to 72f, input keys 73a to 73d, switches 74a to 74m, a start key 75, a stop key 76, and a reset key 77. .

  The touch panel device (display unit) 71 includes a liquid crystal display P having a touch panel function. When the soft key displayed on the liquid crystal display P is touched by the user by the touch panel function, the touch panel device 71 receives an instruction to press the soft key. In addition, the touch panel device 71 accepts a locus of a position touched by the user on the liquid crystal display P as an instruction for a gesture operation by the touch panel function. Based on the trajectory information received by the touch panel device 71, a gesture operation instruction is received by the control unit 10 described later.

  For example, the touch panel device 71 may be tapped by tapping the liquid crystal display P, operated to pick up the liquid crystal display P with two fingers, or operated to spread two fingers from the picked state, Instructions for gesture operations such as a swipe operation for sliding the finger as it is while touching the liquid crystal display P and a flick operation for moving the finger so as to lightly touch the liquid crystal display P are input.

  The indicators 72a to 72f are made of light emitting diodes, and indicate the state of the multifunction device 1 by blinking or turning on / off. For example, the indicator 72a blinks during printing, the indicator 72b blinks during transmission of data to the outside, and the indicator 72c blinks during reception of data from the outside. The indicator 72d blinks during access to data stored in a hard disk or memory provided in the multi function device 1. The indicator 72e lights up or blinks when an abnormality occurs. The indicator 72f is lit when the multifunction device 1 is powered on.

  The input keys 73a to 73d are provided for inputting numbers and symbols and for erasing or confirming the input character string. For example, the input key 73a is a so-called numeric key group, and is provided for inputting numbers and symbols. The input key 73b is a so-called clear key, and is provided for erasing an input character string. The input key 73c is a so-called abbreviated key, and is provided for reading and inputting a character string stored in advance in a memory or the like. The input key 73d is a so-called enter key (return key), and is provided to confirm a character string input instruction, a soft key selection instruction, and the like.

  The switches 74 a to 74 m are switches for switching each function provided in the multifunction device 1. For example, as a typical example, the switch 74a switches to a system menu function for performing initial settings related to the overall operation of the multifunction machine 1 and displays an operation screen for performing an initial setting value setting operation for each function. A switch for displaying on the liquid crystal display P. Hereinafter, the switch 74a is referred to as a system menu button 74a.

  The switch 74j is a switch that switches to a copy function for printing using image data read by the scanner unit 51 and displays an operation screen on the liquid crystal display P for performing a setting operation related to the copy function.

  As will be described later, the switch 74e cancels the login state of the authenticated user who is in the login state, and changes the MFP 1 to the initial state where there is no authenticated user in the login state. It is a switch for switching to. Hereinafter, the switch 74e is referred to as a logout instruction button 74e.

  The start key 75 is provided to start the operation of each function. The stop key 76 is provided to stop the operation of each function. The reset key 77 is provided to return a target function, which is a function set by the user as a function to be executed, to a predetermined initial setting function to be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction device 1 is connected such that the document reading unit 5, the document feeding unit 6, the image forming unit 4, the operation unit 7, the communication unit 9, and the control unit 10 can communicate with each other. Hereinafter, the description of the portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 is omitted unless otherwise specified.

  The communication unit 9 includes a facsimile communication unit 91 and a network I / F unit 93. The facsimile communication unit 91 is connected to the telephone line 95. The facsimile communication unit 91 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) for controlling connection of a telephone line with a destination facsimile and a modulation / demodulation circuit for modulating / demodulating a signal for facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit 91 transmits the image data read by the document reading unit 5 to another facsimile device via the telephone line 95, and receives image data transmitted from the other facsimile device.

  The network I / F unit 93 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 97. The network I / F unit 93 is a communication interface circuit for executing communication with a terminal device such as a personal computer connected to the LAN 97. The network I / F unit 93 transmits the image data read by the document reading unit 5 to an external computer such as a personal computer via the LAN 97, or receives image data transmitted from the external computer.

  The four storage units 81 to 84 are configured by a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), for example, and are classified according to the type of information to be stored.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the user information storage unit 81. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the user information storage unit 81, login information UL for authenticating an authenticated user who is permitted to use the MFP 1 in advance is associated with a plurality of authenticated users. Each is remembered. The login information UL includes, for example, a user name for identifying each authenticated user and a password that is input when authenticating the authenticated user.

  Further, in the user information storage unit 81, for example, group information UG for identifying a group to which each authenticated user belongs among a plurality of predetermined groups such as a business department or a class to which the authenticated user belongs, Each of them is stored in association with a plurality of authenticated users.

  For example, in FIG. 4, login information UL1 is stored in association with the authenticated user with the user name “user01”. In FIG. 4, the group information UG is composed of a group name for identifying the group. Specifically, the group name “group01” for identifying the group to which the authenticated user belongs is stored as the group information UG1 in association with the authenticated user with the user name “user01”.

  Similarly, login information UL2 is stored in association with the authenticated user having the user name “user02”. Further, the group name “group01” for identifying the group to which the authenticated user with the user name “user02” belongs is stored as group information UG1 in association with the authenticated user with the user name “user02”. Further, login information UL3 is stored in association with the authenticated user having the user name “usersys”. Further, the group name “groupsys” for identifying the group to which the authenticated user with the user name “usersys” belongs is stored as group information UG0 in association with the authenticated user with the user name “usersys”.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the alternative function information storage unit 82 and the authorization information storage unit 83. As shown in FIG. 5, the alternative function information storage unit 82 stores in advance alternative function information EF that defines a combination of functions that can be substituted for each other among a plurality of functions that can be executed by the control unit 10.

  Specifically, color, printing, magnification, aggregation, color balance, and hue adjustment are defined as function classifications. The functions belonging to (associated with) each function classification are determined as combinations of functions that can be substituted.

  For example, in the alternative function information EF shown in FIG. 5, the function classification “color” includes a color function and a monochrome function, and is a combination of alternative functions that cannot be executed together (in parallel). Similarly, in the alternative function information EF shown in FIG. 5, the function classification “printing” includes a duplex printing function and a single-sided printing function, and the function classification “magnification” includes an automatic magnification function and a fixed magnification function. Yes.

  In the alternative function information EF shown in FIG. 5, the function classification “aggregation” includes a 2 in 1 aggregation function that aggregates two images into one image and an aggregation off function that does not perform the 2 in 1 aggregation function. It is a combination of alternative functions that cannot be executed. Similarly, in the alternative function information EF shown in FIG. 5, the function classification “color balance” includes a color balance adjustment function and a color balance adjustment OFF function that does not perform the color balance adjustment function, and the function classification “hue adjustment”. In addition, a hue adjustment function and a hue adjustment off function that does not perform hue adjustment are included.

  In the authorization information storage unit 83, user authorization information UF that associates each user with a user authorization function that is a function that can be set as a target function that is a target function that is executed by the control unit 10 by an authenticated user in the login state. Is stored in advance. In the user authorization information UF shown in FIG. 5, a function that is “permitted” in the user name column is a user authorization function that can be set as a target function that is permitted to be executed by the authenticated user.

  For example, in the user authorization information UF shown in FIG. 5, as a user authorization function associated with the authenticated user identified by the user name “user01”, a monochrome function, a duplex printing function, a simplex printing function, an automatic magnification function, a fixed magnification function, 2 in 1 Eight functions are defined: an aggregation function, a color balance adjustment off function, and a hue adjustment off function. That is, when the authenticated user identified by the user name “user01” is in the login state, one or more of the eight user authorization functions can be set as the target function.

  Similarly, the user authorization function associated with the authenticated user identified by the user name “user02” includes color function, duplex printing function, simplex printing function, automatic magnification function, fixed magnification function, 2-in-1 aggregation function, color balance adjustment function, color Ten functions of a balance adjustment off function, a hue adjustment function, and a hue adjustment off function are defined. That is, when the authenticated user identified by the user name “user02” is in the login state, one or more of the ten user authorization functions can be set as the target function.

  When a plurality of user authorization functions belong to one function classification, these user authorization functions are combinations of alternative functions that cannot be executed together by the authenticated user.

  For example, of the eight user authorization functions corresponding to the authenticated user identified by the user name “user01”, the duplex printing function and the simplex printing function belong to the same function classification “printing” in the alternative function information EF. Therefore, when the authenticated user identified by the user name “user01” is in the login state, the authenticated user can set only one of the duplex printing function and the simplex printing function as the target function. . Similarly, when the authenticated user identified by the user name “user01” is in the login state, the authenticated user is selected from the automatic magnification function and fixed magnification function belonging to the function classification “magnification” in the alternative function information EF. Only one of these can be set as the target function.

  Further, the authorization information storage unit 83 stores group authorization information GF that associates a group authorization function, which is a function that can be set as a target function by an authenticated user belonging to each group, with each group. In the group authorization information GF shown in FIG. 5, the function that is “permitted” in the group name column is a group authorization function that can be set as a target function that is permitted to be executed by an authenticated user belonging to the group.

  For example, in the group authorization function shown in FIG. 5, as a group authorization function associated with the group identified by the group name “group01”, a monochrome function, a duplex printing function, an automatic magnification function, a fixed magnification function, a 2-in-1 aggregation function, a color balance adjustment Nine functions are defined: a function, a color balance adjustment off function, a hue adjustment function, and a hue adjustment off function. In other words, an authenticated user who belongs to the group identified by the group name “group01” can set one or more of the nine group authorization functions as the target function when in the login state.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the authenticated user belonging to the group identified by the group name “group01” is associated with the group information UG1 corresponding to the group identified by the group name “group01”. The authentication user identified by the user name “user01” and the authentication user identified by the user name “user02”. Therefore, the authenticated user identified by the user name “user01” and the authenticated user identified by the user name “user02” are subject to the nine group authorization functions associated with the group identified by the group name “group01”. It can be set as a function.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the authenticated user identified by the user name “user01” is not permitted to set the color balance adjustment function as the target function by the user authorization information UF, but the group name to which the user belongs. Setting the color balance adjustment function as the target function is permitted by the group authorization information GF corresponding to the group identified by “group01”. The authenticated user identified by the user name “user01” is permitted to set the single-sided printing function as the target function by the user authorization information UF, but the group identified by the group name “group01” to which the user belongs. It is not permitted to set the single-sided printing function as the target function by the group authorization information GF corresponding to.

  In this way, for example, the same authentication as the function permitted to be set as the target function by the user authorization information UF corresponding to a certain authenticated user due to, for example, the timing when the user authorization information UF and the group authorization information GF are determined is different. The function permitted to be set as the target function by the group authorization information GF corresponding to the user may be different.

  However, even in such a case, as will be described later (described in detail in the description of step S13 in FIG. 7), it may be set as a target function by at least one of the user authorization information UF and the group authorization information GF. The functions that are not permitted (in the above example, the color balance adjustment function and the single-sided printing function) are configured not to be permitted to be set as target functions.

  The setting pattern information storage unit 84 stores setting pattern information described later in advance.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 10 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes predetermined arithmetic processing, a read only memory (ROM) that stores a predetermined control program, and a RAM (temporarily storing data). It includes a memory such as a random access memory (ASIC), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) that is dedicated hardware configured to be capable of high-speed processing of predetermined processing such as image processing, and peripheral circuits thereof. The control unit 10 executes various processes by executing a control program stored in a ROM or the like by the CPU, and controls the operation of each unit in the multifunction machine 1.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 is a processing unit that executes a plurality of functions, in particular, the login information receiving unit 11, the login authentication unit 12, the target function setting unit 13, the first target function changing unit 14, and the second. The target function changing unit 15 is configured.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operations of the first target function change process and the second target function change process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation of processing for executing a function set as a target function. Hereinafter, an operation from the state in which the multifunction machine 1 is in the initial state to the execution of the function set as the target function will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. And each processing part 11-15 is explained in full detail in the said description.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the multifunction device 1 is turned on and the multifunction device 1 is in an initial state, the control unit 10 uses an initial setting function, which is one or more predetermined functions, as a target function. Set (S1). Here, setting as a target function indicates, for example, storing information such as a function name for identifying the target function in the RAM.

  The initial setting function is set by, for example, a setting operation by the user on the operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal display P in the system menu function switched by pressing the system menu button 74a. For example, in FIG. 5, the initial setting function corresponds to a function indicated by a circle in the initial setting function column. Specifically, in FIG. 5, a color function, a single-sided printing function, an automatic magnification function, a 2-in-1 aggregation function, a color balance adjustment off function, and a hue adjustment off function are set as initial setting functions.

  Next, the control unit 10 causes the liquid crystal display P to display a login screen for allowing the user to input login information (S2).

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a login screen. For example, in the login screen shown in FIG. 8, reference numeral IN1 indicates a user name input field, and reference numeral IN2 indicates a password input field. Here, when a user name (for example, “user01” in FIG. 8) is input in the input field IN1, a password is input in the input field IN2, and the login button B1 is pressed, the login information receiving unit 11 The user name and password input in the input fields IN1 and IN2 are accepted as login information (S3; YES).

  The control unit 10 stores the input character in the RAM or the like and converts it to “*” each time a character is input to the input field IN2 so that the password input to the input field IN2 is not visually recognized. To display. In accordance with this, the login information receiving unit 11 receives the character string stored in the RAM or the like by the control unit 10 as the input password.

  When the login information receiving unit 11 receives the login information (S3; YES), the login authentication unit 12 determines whether or not the received login information matches the login information UL stored in the user information storage unit 81. Is determined (S4).

  In step S4, when the login authentication unit 12 determines that the login information received in step S3 matches the login information UL stored in the user information storage unit 81 (S4; YES), the login information is included in the login information. Set the corresponding authenticated user to the login state. Here, the login state indicates, for example, that the user name included in the login information UL of the authenticated user who has entered the login state is stored in the RAM.

  On the other hand, if the login authentication unit 12 determines in step S4 that the login information received in step S3 does not match the login information UL stored in the user information storage unit 81 (S4; NO), for example, Since the input login information is invalid, a message prompting the user to input the login information again is displayed on the liquid crystal display P, etc., and the user is prompted to input the login information again, and the process returns to step S2. .

  When the authenticated user is logged in by the login authentication unit 12 (S4; YES), the first target function changing unit 14 executes a first target function changing process (S5, S6).

  Here, the target function setting screen related to the first target function change process will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen for setting the target function. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the target function setting unit 13 receives designation by the user of a target function to be executed by the control unit 10 by operating an operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal display P. The target function setting unit 13 sets the received function as the target function.

  For example, FIG. 9 is an operation screen for setting a detailed function related to the copy function as a target function. In the operation screen shown in FIG. 9, reference numerals K <b> 1 to K <b> 6 indicate soft keys for allowing the user to specify any one of the target functions from among a plurality of substitutable functions belonging to the function classification. Reference signs F1 to F6 are display columns for character string information indicating functions set as target functions among the functions belonging to the respective function classifications corresponding to the soft keys K1 to K6.

  For example, the operation screen shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the initial setting function (see FIG. 5) set as the target function in step S1 by the user's operation, the color function, the single-sided printing function, the automatic magnification function, the 2-in-1 aggregation function, The state where the color balance adjustment off function and the hue adjustment off function are set as the target functions is shown. Specifically, when the color function is designated by the user by operating the soft key K1 displayed as “color selection” corresponding to the function classification “color”, the target function setting unit 13 sets the color function as the target function. The information “color” indicating the color function is displayed in the display field F1 by the control unit 10.

  Similarly, the color balance adjustment off function, the hue adjustment off function, and the automatic operation can be performed by operating the soft keys K2 to K6 corresponding to the function classifications “color balance”, “hue”, “magnification”, “combination”, and “print”, respectively. When the magnification function, the 2-in-1 aggregation function, and the duplex printing function are designated by the user, the designated function is set as a target function by the target function setting unit 13, and is displayed in the display fields F2 to F6 by the control unit 10, respectively. Information indicating the target function is displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 6, in the first target function changing process, first, the first target function changing unit 14 uses the user authorization information UF (FIG. 5) stored in the authorization information storage unit 83 to perform the target in step S <b> 1. It is determined whether or not the initial setting function set as a function includes a user prohibition function which is a function different from the user authorization function associated with the authenticated user who is in the login state (S5).

  In step S5, if the first target function changing unit 14 determines that the user prohibited function is included in the initial setting function (S5; YES), the alternative function stored in the alternative function information storage unit 82 Of the functions that can be substituted for the user prohibition function determined to be included in the initial setting function in step S5 using information EF (FIG. 5), the user associated with the authenticated user who is in the login state A user substitution function that is a function matching the authorization function is set as a target function instead of the user prohibition function (S6). Thus, the first target function changing unit 14 ends the first target function changing process.

  Specifically, the first target function changing unit 14 uses, for example, the initial setting function set as the target function in step S1 using the user authorization information UF shown in FIG. Color function that is different from the user authorization function associated with the authenticated user identified by the user name “user01” among the printing function, automatic magnification function, 2in1 aggregation function, color balance adjustment off function, and hue adjustment off function Is determined to be included. At this time, the first target function changing unit 14 stores the color function in the RAM as a user prohibited function.

  Next, in step S6, the first target function changing unit 14 uses, for example, the alternative function information EF shown in FIG. 5 and uses the user name “user01” among the functions that can be substituted for the color function that is a user-inhibited function. A monochrome function that is a user authorization function associated with the authenticated user to be identified is set as a user substitute function, and the monochrome function is set as a target function instead of the color function. Thus, the first target function changing unit 14 ends the first target function changing process.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for setting the target function after the first target function change process. When the first target function changing process by the first target function changing unit 14 is completed, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the control unit 10 corresponds to the monochrome function set as the target function by the first target function changing process. Character string information to be displayed is displayed in the display field F1.

  On the other hand, when the first target function changing unit 14 determines in step S5 that the user prohibited function is not included in the initial setting function (S5; NO), the second target function changing unit 15 The target function changing process (S7, S8) is executed.

  In the second target function changing process, first, the second target function changing unit 15 is set as the target function in step S1 using the group authorization information GF (FIG. 5) stored in the authorization information storage unit 83. It is determined whether or not the initial setting function includes a group prohibition function, which is a function different from the group authorization function associated with the group to which the authenticated user who has entered the login state belongs (S7). Hereinafter, a group to which an authenticated user who is logged in belongs is called an authentication group.

  In step S7, when the second target function changing unit 15 determines that the group prohibition function is included in the initial setting function (S7; YES), the alternative function stored in the alternative function information storage unit 82 Of the functions that can be substituted for the group prohibition function determined to be included in the initial setting function in step S7 by using the information EF (FIG. 5), it matches the group authorization function associated with the authentication group. The group substitution function which is a function is set as a target function instead of the group prohibition function (S8). Thereby, the second target function change unit 15 ends the second target function change process.

  Specifically, in step S7, the second target function changing unit 15 first sets the group information UG1 associated with the authenticated user identified by the user name “user01” as user information, for example, as shown in FIG. It is obtained from the storage unit 81 and grasps that the group identified by the group name “group1” is an authentication group.

  Then, the second target function changing unit 15 uses, for example, the group authorization information GF shown in FIG. 5 and is an initial setting function set as the target function in step S1, which is a color function, a single-sided printing function, an automatic magnification function, If the 2-in-1 aggregation function, the color balance adjustment off function, and the hue adjustment off function include a single-sided printing function that is different from the group authorization function associated with the authentication group identified by the group name “group01”. judge. At this time, the second target function changing unit 15 stores the single-sided printing function in the RAM as a group prohibiting function.

  Next, in step S8, the second target function changing unit 15 uses, for example, the alternative function information EF shown in FIG. 5 and uses the group name “group01” among the functions that can be substituted for the single-sided printing function that is the group prohibited function. The double-sided printing function, which is a group authorization function associated with the authentication group identified in, is set as a group replacement function, and the double-sided printing function is set as a target function instead of the single-sided printing function. Thereby, the second target function change unit 15 ends the second target function change process.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for setting a target function after the second target function change process. When the second target function changing process by the second target function changing unit 15 is completed, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the control unit 10 sets the duplex printing function set as the target function by the second target function changing process. Corresponding character string information is displayed in the display field F6.

  Then, for example, when the control unit 10 accepts an input of an instruction to execute the logout function by pressing the logout instruction button 74e by the authenticated user (S9; YES), the control unit 10 is in a login state. The login state of the authenticated user is canceled, the multifunction device 1 is changed to the initial state, and the process returns to step S1. Note that releasing the login state indicates, for example, deleting information such as the user name of the authenticated user corresponding to the login state set in the RAM.

  On the other hand, when the input of the logout function execution instruction is not accepted by the control unit 10 (S9; NO), for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the function designated by the user by the target function setting unit 13 is set as the target function. When this is done (S10), the control unit 10 uses the user authorization information UF (FIG. 5) stored in the authorization information storage unit 83 to determine whether the target function set in step S10 is the same as in step S5. Then, it is determined whether the user prohibition function is a function different from the user authorization function associated with the authenticated user in the login state (S11).

  In step S11, when the control unit 10 determines that the target function set in step S10 is a user-prohibited function (S11; YES), the function set as the target function in step S10 is an authentication in a login state. A message indicating that the function cannot be set by the user as a target function is displayed on the liquid crystal display P to display a warning that the target function cannot be set (S12), and the process returns to step S10.

  In step S11, if the control unit 10 determines that the target function set in step S10 is not a user prohibited function (S11; NO), the control unit 10 stores the authorization information storage unit 83 in the same manner as in step S7. Whether or not the target function set in step S10 is a group prohibition function that is different from the group authorization function associated with the authentication group, using the group authorization information GF (FIG. 5). Determine (S13).

  In step S13, when the control unit 10 determines that the target function set in step S10 is a group prohibited function (S13; YES), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S12.

  In other words, as described above, the function permitted to be set as the target function by the user authorization information UF (FIG. 5) corresponding to a certain authenticated user and the group authorization information GF (FIG. 5) corresponding to the same authenticated user. Even if the function that is permitted to be set as the target function is different, it is set as the target function by at least one of the user authorization information UF and the group authorization information GF by performing Step S11 and Step S13. A function that is not permitted to be set is not configured as a target function.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines in step S13 that the target function set in step S10 is not a group prohibition function (S13; NO), the control unit 10 executes the function set as the target function. The process proceeds to step S14. Then, the control unit 10 returns to step S9 (FIG. 6) while the start key 75 (FIG. 2) is not pressed, that is, while the start instruction of the function operation is not received (S14; NO). repeat. Then, when the start key 75 (FIG. 2) is pressed and the control unit 10 receives a function operation start instruction (S14; YES), the control unit 10 executes the function set as the target function ( S15), the process returns to step S9.

  As described above, after the first target function changing process (S5, S6) by the first target function changing unit 14, the second target function changing process (S7, S8) by the second target function changing unit 15 is performed. Instead of the configuration to be executed, the second target function changing process (S7, S8) by the second target function changing unit 15 is executed first, and then the first target function changing process by the first target function changing unit 14 is performed. You may make it the structure which performs (S5, S6).

  In addition, when there are a plurality of user prohibition functions in the first target function change processing (S5, S6), the first target function change unit 14 replaces the plurality of user prohibition functions with a plurality of user substitution functions, respectively. Set as the target function. When the first target function changing unit 14 sets a plurality of user alternative functions as target functions in this way, the user coexistence is a user alternative function that can be set together with a user alternative function that has already been set as the target function. The user alternative functions having a large number of first exclusive functions, which are other functions that can be set as target functions together with the user coexistence function, are set as target functions in order.

  Similarly, when there are a plurality of group prohibition functions in the second target function change process (S7, S8), the second target function change unit 15 replaces a plurality of group replacement functions with a plurality of group replacement functions. Set each function as a target function. When the second target function changing unit 15 sets a plurality of group replacement functions as target functions in this way, group coexistence that is a group replacement function that can be set together with a group replacement function that has already been set as the target function. A group replacement function having a large number of second exclusive functions, which is a function that can be set as a target function together with the group coexistence function, is set in advance as a target function.

  Note that the first exclusive function and the second exclusive function can be grasped by using setting pattern information stored in the setting pattern information storage unit 84 (FIG. 3), as will be described later.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the setting pattern information SP stored in the setting pattern information storage unit 84. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the setting pattern information SP includes two different lists in which a list of functions set as target functions is arranged on the vertical axis, and functions set as target functions are arranged on the horizontal axis. The combination of functions is shown in tabular form. Each square in the table indicates whether the combination of two different functions corresponding to each square is a first pattern P1, a second pattern P2, or a third pattern P3 shown below. A character string is attached.

  The combination of the first pattern P1 is a combination in which only the function set first is set as the target function when two functions included in the combination are sequentially set as the target function. In FIG. 12, each square corresponding to the combination of the first patterns P1 is represented as a hatched square with a background with an underlined character string “P1”.

  For example, in the setting pattern information SP shown in FIG. 12, in the combination C1 in which the monochrome function is a function set first and the color balance adjustment function is a function set later, the monochrome function is set as the target function first. In this case, the color balance adjustment function cannot be set as the target function, and only the previously set monochrome function should be set as the target function, and is defined as a combination of the first pattern P1.

  The combination of the second pattern P2 is a combination in which two functions included in the combination are to be set as target functions. In other words, the two functions included in the combination of the second patterns P2 can operate together independently of each other. In FIG. 12, each square corresponding to the combination of the second patterns P2 is represented as a square to which the character string “P2” is attached.

  For example, in the setting pattern information SP shown in FIG. 12, in the combination C2 in which the monochrome function is set as the function set first and the color balance adjustment off function is set as the function set later, the monochrome function is set as the target function first. In this case, the color balance adjustment off function can be set as a target function, and both the monochrome function and the color balance adjustment off function should be set as target functions. Yes.

  The combination of the third pattern P3 is a combination in which only the function set later is set as the target function by canceling the setting as the target function of the function set first among the two functions included in the combination. is there. In FIG. 12, each square corresponding to the combination of the third pattern P3 is represented as a black square with a background with a white character string “P3”.

  For example, in the setting pattern information SP shown in FIG. 12, the monochrome function is set as the function set first and the color function is set as the function set later, that is, determined by the alternative function information EF (FIG. 5). If the monochrome function is set as the target function first and the color function is set as the target function, the combination of the alternative functions that cannot be set as the target function is the monochrome function set as the target function first. It is determined as a combination of the third pattern P3 that the setting of the function should be canceled.

  However, the combination of the 3rd pattern P3 is not limited to the combination of the substitutable function defined by the alternative function information EF (FIG. 5). For example, in the setting pattern information SP shown in FIG. 12, in the combination C4 in which the color balance adjustment function is a function set first and the monochrome function is a function set later, the color balance adjustment function is set as the target function first. In this case, when the monochrome function is to be set as the target function, the setting of the color balance adjustment function previously set as the target function should be canceled, and the combination of the third pattern P3 is determined. Yes.

  When the first target function changing unit 14 executes the first target function changing process, for example, when it is determined that the two functions of the color function and the aggregate-off function are user-inhibited functions, the alternative function information EF ( With reference to FIG. 5, two functions, a monochrome function that can be substituted for the two user prohibition functions and a 2-in-1 aggregation function, are set as user substitution functions.

  Here, the monochrome function and the 2-in-1 aggregation function belong to different function classifications (FIG. 5), that is, they can be set as target functions, not combinations of functions that can be substituted. Accordingly, the first target function changing unit 14 assumes that the two user alternative functions of the monochrome function and the 2-in-1 aggregation function are user coexistence functions that are user alternative functions that can be set as target functions. Two user coexistence functions are sequentially set as target functions.

  At this time, the first target function changing unit 14 uses the combination of the third pattern P3 defined by the setting pattern information SP to grasp the number of first exclusive functions corresponding to each of the monochrome function and the 2-in-1 aggregation function. .

  Specifically, for example, among the combinations of the third patterns in the setting pattern information SP shown in FIG. 12, there are three combinations that are set to the function AF1 set later by the monochrome function (combinations C4, C5 in FIG. 12). C6). That is, there are three functions that are combined as functions set prior to the monochrome function by combining the three third patterns P3 (color balance adjustment function, hue adjustment function, and color function in FIG. 12). .

  In the combination of the three third patterns P3 (combinations C4, C5, and C6 in FIG. 12), the three functions combined as the previously set functions (the color balance adjustment function and the hue adjustment on the vertical axis in FIG. 12) Function, color function) is a function that should be canceled as a target function when a monochrome function is set as the target function. Therefore, it can be said that the three functions set first indicate the first exclusive function corresponding to the monochrome function that cannot be set as the target function together with the monochrome function. Therefore, the first target function changing unit 14 is a color in which the first exclusive function corresponding to the monochrome function is combined as the function set first in the combination C4, C5, C6 of the three third patterns P3. Understand that there are three functions: balance adjustment function, hue adjustment function, and color function.

  Similarly, among the combinations of the third patterns P3, there are two combinations (functions C7 and C8 in FIG. 12) that are functions AF2 for setting the 2-in-1 aggregation function later, that is, the two third patterns P3. There are two functions that are combined as functions that are set prior to the 2-in-1 aggregation function (the aggregation off function on the vertical axis in FIG. 12 and the fixed magnification function).

  Therefore, in the combination of the two third patterns P3, the two functions combined as the previously set functions (the vertical axis aggregation off function and the fixed magnification function in FIG. 12) are the target functions together with the 2in1 aggregation function. It can be said that the first exclusive function corresponding to the 2-in-1 aggregation function that cannot be set as is shown. Therefore, the first target function changing unit 14 is configured to combine the first exclusive function corresponding to the 2-in-1 aggregation function as the function set first in the combination C7, C8 of the two third patterns P3. It is understood that there are two functions, a fixed magnification function.

  Therefore, the first target function changing unit 14 sets the monochrome functions corresponding to a larger number of first exclusive functions among the two user coexistence functions of the monochrome function and the 2-in-1 aggregation function as target functions. When setting the monochrome function as a target function, the color balance adjustment function, the hue adjustment function, and the color function, which are first exclusive functions corresponding to the monochrome function, are included in the initial setting function, and step S1 (FIG. 6). ), The setting as the target function of the color balance adjustment function, the hue adjustment function, and the color function is canceled. Here, canceling the setting as the target function specifically indicates that information such as a function name for identifying the target function stored in the RAM is deleted.

  Next, the first target function changing unit 14 sets the 2in1 aggregation function as the target function. If the aggregation off function and fixed magnification function, which are the first exclusive functions corresponding to the 2-in-1 aggregation function, are set as target functions at the time of the setting, the target of the aggregation off function and fixed magnification function Cancel the function setting.

  Similarly, when the second target function changing unit 15 executes the second target function changing process, for example, when it is determined that two functions of the color function and the aggregation off function are group prohibited functions, Two functions, a monochrome function that can be replaced with two group prohibition functions and a 2-in-1 aggregation function, are set as group replacement functions. The two group substitution functions are not combinations of functions that can be substituted for each other, but can be set as target functions. Accordingly, the second target function changing unit 15 assumes that the two group replacement functions of the monochrome function and the 2-in-1 aggregation function are group coexistence functions that are group replacement functions that can be set as target functions. The two group coexistence functions are sequentially set as target functions.

  At this time, the second target function changing unit 15 uses the combination of the third patterns P3 defined by the setting pattern information SP to grasp the number of second exclusive functions corresponding to each of the monochrome function and the 2-in-1 aggregation function. .

  Specifically, for example, among the combinations of the third patterns P3 in the setting pattern information SP shown in FIG. 12, there are three combinations that the function AF1 to be set later by the monochrome function (combinations C4 and C5 in FIG. 12). , C6). In other words, there are three functions that are combined as functions set before the monochrome function by combining the three third patterns P3 (the color balance adjustment function, the hue adjustment function on the vertical axis in FIG. 12, Color function).

  In the combination of the three third patterns P3 (combination C4, C5, C6 in FIG. 12), three functions (color balance adjustment function on the vertical axis in FIG. 12, The hue adjustment function and the color function are functions that should be canceled as the target function when the monochrome function is set as the target function. Therefore, it can be said that the three functions set earlier indicate the second exclusive function corresponding to the monochrome function that cannot be set as the target function together with the monochrome function. Accordingly, the second target function changing unit 15 is a color in which the second exclusive function corresponding to the monochrome function is combined as the function set first in the combination C4, C5, C6 of the three third patterns P3. Understand that there are three functions: balance adjustment function, hue adjustment function, and color function.

  Similarly, among the combinations of the third patterns P3, there are two combinations (functions C7 and C8 in FIG. 12) that are functions AF2 for setting the 2-in-1 aggregation function later, that is, the two third patterns P3. There are two functions that are combined as functions that are set prior to the 2-in-1 aggregation function (the aggregation off function on the vertical axis in FIG. 12 and the fixed magnification function).

  Therefore, in the combination of the two third patterns P3, the two functions combined as the previously set functions (the vertical axis aggregation off function and the fixed magnification function in FIG. 12) are the target functions together with the 2in1 aggregation function. It can be said that the second exclusive function corresponding to the 2-in-1 aggregation function that cannot be set as is shown. Therefore, the second target function changing unit 15 uses the aggregation off in which the second exclusive function corresponding to the 2-in-1 aggregation function is combined as the previously set function in the combination C7, C8 of the two third patterns P3. It is understood that there are two functions, a fixed magnification function.

  Therefore, the second target function changing unit 15 sets the monochrome functions corresponding to a larger number of the second exclusive functions among the two functions that can coexist in two groups of the monochrome function and the 2-in-1 aggregation function, as the target functions. When the monochrome function is set as a target function, the initial exclusive function includes a color balance adjustment function, a hue adjustment function, and a color function, which are second exclusive functions corresponding to the monochrome function, and are included in step S1 (FIG. If the target function is set in 6), the setting as the target function of the color balance adjustment function, the hue adjustment function, and the color function is canceled.

  Next, the second target function changing unit 15 sets the 2in1 aggregation function as the target function. If the aggregation off function and fixed magnification function, which are the second exclusive functions corresponding to the 2-in-1 aggregation function, are set as target functions at the time of the setting, the target of the aggregation off function and fixed magnification function Cancel the function setting.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, when the authenticated user enters the login state, the user substitution function is automatically set as the target function instead of the user prohibition function. For this reason, when an authenticated user enters the login state, the authenticated user manually replaces the user prohibition function with a user substitution function that can be substituted for the user prohibition function. It is possible to reduce the trouble of setting an alternative function as a target function.

  Further, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, when the authenticated user enters the login state, the group substitution function is automatically set as the target function instead of the group prohibition function. For this reason, when an authenticated user is logged in, the authenticated user must know the group authorization function corresponding to the authentication group to which he belongs in addition to the user authorization function corresponding to himself, and manually, Compared with the case where the group substitution function is set as the target function instead of the group prohibition function, it is possible to reduce the trouble of setting the group substitution function as the target function.

  Further, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, when there are a plurality of user prohibition functions when an authenticated user enters a login state, a plurality of user substitution functions are set as target functions instead of the plurality of user prohibition functions. The number of first exclusive functions that are user coexistence functions that are user alternative functions that can be set together with the user alternative functions that have already been set as target functions and cannot be set together with the user coexistence functions. The user alternative functions with many are set sequentially as the target functions first.

  Therefore, since the number of other functions that cannot be set together decreases as the user alternative function set later as the target function, the user alternative function is set as the target function later by setting the user alternative function as the target function later. The probability that the user alternative function is canceled can be lowered, and a plurality of user alternative functions can be efficiently set as target functions.

  Further, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, when there are a plurality of group prohibition functions when an authenticated user enters the login state, a plurality of group replacement functions are set as target functions instead of the plurality of group prohibition functions. The number of second exclusive functions that are group coexistence functions that are group substitution functions that can be set together with the group substitution functions that have already been set as target functions and cannot be set together with the group coexistence functions. The group substitution function with many is set as the target function in order.

  Therefore, as the group substitution function set later as the target function becomes smaller, the number of other functions that cannot be set together decreases. Therefore, by setting the group substitution function as the target function later, it was set as the target function first. The probability that the group substitution function is canceled can be reduced, and a plurality of group substitution functions can be efficiently set as target functions.

  Further, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, when a plurality of user coexistence functions are sequentially set as the target function, the combination of the third pattern P3 (FIG. 12) with respect to the setting target user coexistence function, The functions set in advance are set as the target functions in descending order of the number of functions combined. In addition, each time a user coexistence function is sequentially set as a target function, a function that is combined as a function set in advance by combining the third pattern P3 as a target function is set as a target function If it is set, the setting as the target function is canceled.

  Therefore, as the user coexistence function is set as the target function later, the number of functions that have already been canceled as the target function increases, so the first exclusive function corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function is the target. The possibility of being set as a function is reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the opportunity to perform processing for canceling the setting as the target function that should not be set as the target function first in relation to the setting target user coexistence function.

  Furthermore, according to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, when a plurality of group coexistence functions are sequentially set as target functions, the combination of the third pattern P3 (FIG. 12) with respect to the setting target group coexistence functions, The functions set in advance are set as the target functions in descending order of the number of functions combined. In addition, each time a group coexistence function is sequentially set as a target function, a function that is combined as a function set in advance by combining the third pattern P3 as a target function is set as the target function. If it is set, the setting as the target function is canceled.

  Therefore, as the group coexistence function is set as the target function later, the number of functions that have already been set as the target function increases, so the second exclusive function corresponding to the group coexistence function to be set is the target. The possibility of being set as a function is reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the opportunity to perform the process of canceling the setting as the target function that should not be set as the target function first in relation to the setting target group coexistence function.

  Note that the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a scanner device, in addition to the case where the image forming apparatus is applied to the above-described multifunction device 1. In the above embodiment, the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

  For example, the setting pattern information storage unit 84 may be simplified so as not to be provided. Accordingly, when there are a plurality of user prohibition functions in the first target function change process, the first target function change unit 14 sets a plurality of user alternative functions as target functions instead of the plurality of user prohibition functions. At the time of setting, it may be simplified and configured so that a user alternative function having a predetermined high priority is set as a target function first.

  Similarly, when there are a plurality of group prohibition functions in the second target function change process, the second target function change unit 15 sets a plurality of group replacement functions as target functions instead of the plurality of group prohibition functions. At the time of setting, it may be simplified and configured so that a group substitution function having a predetermined high priority is set as a target function first.

  The predetermined priority order may be appropriately determined according to, for example, the alphabetical order of function names or the order in which functions are used.

  In addition, the first exclusive function corresponding to the user coexistence function is a function that is combined as a previously set function in the combination of the third pattern P3 of the setting pattern information SP (FIG. 12). Furthermore, in the combination of the first pattern P1 of the setting pattern information SP (FIG. 12), a function that is combined as a function that is set first may be included. However, in this case, each time the first target function changing unit 14 sequentially sets the user coexistence function as the target function, the first exclusive function corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function is set as the target function. Even so, the setting as the target function of the first exclusive function corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function is configured not to be canceled.

  Similarly, the second exclusive function corresponding to the group coexistence function is a function that is combined as a previously set function in the combination of the third pattern P3 of the setting pattern information SP (FIG. 12). However, in addition, in the combination of the first pattern P1 of the setting pattern information SP (FIG. 12), a function that is combined as a previously set function may be included. However, in this case, each time the second function changing unit 15 sequentially sets the group coexistence function as the target function, the second exclusive function corresponding to the setting target group coexistence function is set as the target function. However, the setting as the target function of the second exclusive function corresponding to the setting target group coexistence function is not canceled.

  Further, the user information storage unit 81 may be simplified so as not to store the group information UG (FIG. 4). Accordingly, the second target function changing unit 15 may be simplified so as not to be provided, and the steps S7, S8 (FIG. 6) and step S13 may be simplified so as not to be executed. Good.

1: MFP (image forming apparatus)
10: Control unit 11: Login information receiving unit 12: Login authentication unit 13: Target function setting unit 14: First target function changing unit 15: Second target function changing unit 74a: System menu button 74e: Logout instruction button 75: Start Key 81: User information storage unit 82: Alternative function information storage unit 83: Authorization information storage unit 84: Setting pattern information storage unit EF: Alternative function information GF: Group authorization information P1: First pattern P2: Second pattern P3: First 3 patterns SP: setting pattern information UF: user authorization information UG, UG0, UG1: group information UL, UL1, UL2, UL3: login information

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus including a control unit that performs a plurality of functions,
A user information storage unit that stores login information for authenticating an authenticated user who is a user permitted to use the image forming apparatus in advance, in association with a plurality of the authenticated users;
A login information receiving unit that receives input of the login information;
A login authentication unit that places the authenticated user corresponding to the login information in a login state when the login information received by the login information reception unit matches the login information stored in the user information storage unit When,
A target function to be executed by the control unit among the plurality of functions, receiving a designation by the authenticated user in the login state, and setting the received function as a target function;
An authorization information storage unit that stores in advance user authorization information that associates each authenticated user with a user authorization function that is a function that can be set as the target function by each authenticated user;
An alternative function information storage unit that preliminarily stores alternative function information that defines a combination of functions that can be substituted among the plurality of functions;
An initial setting function that is one or a plurality of functions set in advance as the target function while the image forming apparatus is in the initial state when the authenticated user is in the login state by the login authentication unit Instead of the user prohibition function, which is a function different from the user authorization function associated with the user authorization information for the authenticated user in the login state, the user defined by the alternative function information Among the functions that can be substituted for the prohibited function, a user substitution function that is a function that matches the user authorization function associated with the user authorization information for the authenticated user in the login state is set as the target function A first target function change unit that executes a first target function change process;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The plurality of authenticated users are grouped in advance into a plurality of groups,
The user information storage unit further stores group information for identifying a group to which each authenticated user belongs, in association with a plurality of the authenticated users,
The authorization information storage unit further stores group authorization information that associates each group with a group authorization function that is a function that can be set as the target function by an authenticated user belonging to each group,
An authentication group that is a group identified by group information associated with the authenticated user in the login state in the initial setting function when the authenticated user is in the login state by the login authentication unit. On the other hand, instead of the group prohibition function that is a function different from the group authorization function associated with the group authorization information, among the functions that can be substituted for the group prohibition function defined in the alternative function information, A second target function change unit that executes a second target function change process for setting, as the target function, a group replacement function that is a function that matches the group authorization function associated with the authentication group by the group authorization information The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   In the first target function changing process, when there are a plurality of user prohibition functions, the first target function change unit replaces the plurality of user prohibition functions with a plurality of user alternative functions as the target functions, respectively. Other functions that are user coexistence functions that are user alternative functions that can be set together with the user alternative functions that have already been set as the target functions when setting, and that cannot be set as the target functions together with the user coexistence functions The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a user substitution function having a large number of first exclusive functions is sequentially set as the target function. In the first target function changing process, when there are a plurality of user prohibition functions, the first target function change unit replaces the plurality of user prohibition functions with a plurality of user alternative functions as the target functions, respectively. Other functions that are user coexistence functions that are user alternative functions that can be set together with the user alternative functions that have already been set as the target functions when setting, and that cannot be set as the target functions together with the user coexistence functions The user alternative function having a large number of first exclusive functions is set as the target function sequentially,
In the second target function changing process, when there are a plurality of group forbidden functions, the second target function changing unit uses a plurality of group alternative functions as the target functions instead of the plurality of group forbidden functions. Other functions that are group coexistence functions that are group substitution functions that can be set together with group substitution functions that have already been set as the target functions when setting, and that cannot be set as the target functions together with the group coexistence functions The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a group substitution function having a large number of second exclusive functions is sequentially set as the target function. Among the functions included in the combination, when two functions included in each combination are sequentially set as the target function for a plurality of combinations when combining two different functions from the plurality of functions, It is a first pattern that is a combination that should be set as the target function only the function that is set first, or a second pattern that is a combination that should be set both as the target function, or Among the functions included in the combination, is the third pattern that is a combination that should be set as the target function only the function that is set later after canceling the setting as the target function of the function set earlier, A setting pattern information storage unit that stores in advance setting pattern information that defines
The first exclusive function is a function that is combined as the previously set function by the combination of the third pattern with respect to the user coexistence function,
Each time the first target function changing unit sequentially sets the user coexistence function as the target function, the first exclusive function corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function is set as the target function. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further cancels the setting of the first exclusive function corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function as the target function. Among the functions included in the combination, when two functions included in each combination are sequentially set as the target function for a plurality of combinations when combining two different functions from the plurality of functions, It is a first pattern that is a combination that should be set as the target function only the function that is set first, or a second pattern that is a combination that should be set both as the target function, or Among the functions included in the combination, is the third pattern that is a combination that should be set as the target function only the function that is set later after canceling the setting as the target function of the function set earlier, A setting pattern information storage unit that stores in advance setting pattern information that defines
The first exclusive function is a function that is combined as the previously set function by the combination of the third pattern with respect to the user coexistence function,
Each time the first target function changing unit sequentially sets the user coexistence function as the target function, the first exclusive function corresponding to the setting target user coexistence function is set as the target function. If there is, the setting of the first exclusive function corresponding to the user coexistence function of the setting target is canceled as the target function,
The second exclusive function is a function combined with the group coexistence function by the combination of the third pattern as the function set first.
Each time the second target function changing unit sequentially sets the group coexistence function as the target function, the second exclusive function corresponding to the setting target group coexistence function is set as the target function. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further cancels the setting of the second exclusive function corresponding to the setting target group coexistence function as the target function.

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