JP2015072661A - Image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus configured to improve user work efficiency without impairing security, when in use.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus having a user authentication function executes log-out processing when time-out-time elapses with the image forming apparatus kept unoperated after user authentication, sets one "specific time" out of unique time-out time stored in the image forming apparatus as time-out time and a plurality of time-out time candidates when the image forming apparatus is operated by a user before the time-out time elapses, and sets a "minimum time" out of the unique time-out time stored in the image forming apparatus as time-out time and the plurality of time-out time candidates when the operation on the image forming apparatus indicates print instruction, transmission instruction, storage instruction, or pause instruction.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus having a user authentication function, a control method therefor, and a program.

  When a single image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of users, the image forming apparatus is configured to be used only by a specific user who has been authenticated (hereinafter referred to as “login”) from the viewpoint of enhancing security. There may be.

  While a user is logged in, other users cannot use the image forming apparatus. When the logged-in user finishes using the image forming apparatus, authentication is canceled (hereinafter referred to as “logout”). For the first time other users can use the image forming apparatus.

  By the way, when the user of the image forming apparatus neglects the logout process, the image forming apparatus can be used by another user different from the logged-in user, and thus management of highly confidential information such as accounting information is totaled. Cannot be used for

  Therefore, in case the user neglects the logout process, the logout process is executed immediately after the operation instructed by the user is completed by simultaneously instructing the logout process when the user instructs the operation such as print execution. An image forming apparatus is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-123249 A

  However, in an image forming apparatus in which logout processing is executed immediately after the operation instructed by the user is completed, it is necessary to log in again when executing another operation, and the work efficiency of the user is significantly reduced.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program that can improve the user's work efficiency without losing security when using the image forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which an operation by a specific user is possible after authentication of the specific user before a certain timeout period elapses after the authentication. Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the operation has been performed, identification means for identifying the content of the operation when the operation is performed, and changing means for changing the timeout time according to the content of the identified operation It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, when the image forming apparatus is used, the user's work efficiency can be improved without impairing the security function.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image printing system having an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of a CPU in FIG. 2. It is a figure used for demonstrating the operation part in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram used to explain a screen displayed on the touch panel 401 in FIG. 4 and shows a screen displayed when copy printing is executed. FIG. 5 is a diagram used to explain a screen displayed on the touch panel 401 in FIG. 4 and shows a screen displayed when a read image is transmitted to an external device. FIG. 5 is a diagram used for explaining a screen displayed on the touch panel 401 in FIG. 4 and shows a screen displayed when a read image is stored in the image forming apparatus. It is a figure used for demonstrating the authentication screen displayed on the touch panel in FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of logout processing executed by the image forming apparatus in FIG. 2.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image printing system having an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image printing system in FIG. 1 includes a client PC 202 and a plurality (five in the present embodiment) of image forming apparatuses 203 connected to each other via a LAN.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 203 of FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 203 of FIG. 2 includes a controller unit 100, an operation unit 106, a scanner 108, and a printer 109.

  The controller unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, an HDD 104, an operation unit I / F 105, a device I / F 107, and a network I / F 110 shown in FIG. 3 which will be described later. The forming apparatus 203 is controlled.

  The CPU 101 is an arithmetic device for controlling the entire system of the image forming apparatus 203, and comprehensively controls each component connected to each other via the system bus 111.

  A RAM 102 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 101. The RAM 102 is a memory for temporarily storing image data, and stores programs and data such as an operating system, system software, and application software. A program stored in the RAM 102 is executed by the CPU 101 and processes data stored in the RAM 102, ROM 103, and HDD 104.

  The ROM 103 stores a system boot program for the image forming apparatus 203. The ROM 103 may further store information necessary for the image forming apparatus such as a system program, an application program, and a font.

  The HDD 104 is a hard disk drive that stores an operating system, system software, application software, image data, setting data, and the like. However, in a small image forming apparatus, the operating system, system software, application software, image data, setting data, and the like may be stored in the ROM 103 without mounting the HDD 104. Instead of the HDD 104, a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Disk) may be used.

  An operation unit 106 shown in FIG. 4 to be described later is connected to the operation unit I / F 105. The device I / F 107 is connected to a scanner 108 and a printer 109 which are image input / output devices, and image data is input and output from the scanner 108 and the printer 109, respectively.

  The scanner 108 includes a pressure plate and a sheet document reading device (ADF). When the user sets a document on the pressure plate or ADF and presses a document reading start button (not shown) provided on the operation unit 106, the scanner 108 optically reads the document placed on the pressure plate or ADF. When reading a plurality of pages using a pressure plate, scanning is performed while replacing the documents. When reading a plurality of pages using ADF, the set documents are sequentially read.

  At this time, the user can use the operation unit 106 to specify print settings relating to output such as imposition of paper, setting of a plate making process (so-called finisher) such as stapling, and image quality setting such as density.

  Image data input from the scanner 108 via the device I / F 107 is stored in the RAM 102 or the HDD 104, and the image data is subjected to image processing by an application program stored in the RAM 102 as necessary.

  A network I / F 110 is connected to a LAN and inputs / outputs image data of external devices on the network and information for controlling the image forming apparatus 203. The controller unit 100 may further include a modem device I / F (not shown), and may have a FAX function of performing FAX communication through a public line by connecting a modem to the modem device I / F. The controller unit 100 further includes a USB I / F, and can read and output data stored in a flash memory card or the like.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the CPU 101 in FIG.

  3, the CPU 101 includes an operation control unit 301, an image reading control unit 302, an image output control unit 303, a storage device control unit 304, a copy control unit 305, an authentication unit 307, an image processing unit 308, a transmission control unit 311, and A storage control unit 312 is included, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus 313.

  The operation control unit 301 controls the operation unit 106 of FIG. 4 described later and displays a screen and information necessary for the operation on the operation unit 106.

  A document reading control unit 302 controls the scanner 108 and instructs reading of a document. The read data is stored in the RAM 102 or the HDD 104 connected to the storage device control unit 304. Whether the data is stored in the RAM 102 or the HDD 104 is determined by the image reading control unit 302 depending on factors such as the data size and whether high-speed processing is required.

  When the original is read using the pressure plate, the control subject is changed from the copy control unit 305, the transmission control unit 311, or the storage control unit 312 to the operation control unit 301 every time the original is replaced, and the operation unit 106 receives the original. Displays a screen as to whether to start reading.

  The image output control unit 303 controls the printer 109 and reads out image data subjected to image processing from the RAM 102 and the HDD 104 and transmits the image data to the printer 109 via the system bus 111 and the device I / F 107. The printer 109 sequentially prints the received data on paper.

  The storage device control unit 304 controls the RAM 102 or HDD 104 that is a storage device, and stores the data read by the scanner 108 in the RAM 102 or HDD 104 via the device I / F 107 and the system bus 111.

  The copy control unit 305 receives a copy printing instruction from the user via the operation control unit 301, and then instructs the image reading control unit 302 to read a document for copy printing. When the image data of the read original is stored in the RAM 102 or the HDD 104, the copy control unit 305 instructs the image output control unit 303 to output the image data of the read original.

  The authentication unit 307 performs authentication processing based on authentication information such as a user name and a password stored as a database in advance. The user can use the image forming apparatus 203 when the authentication processing for comparing the user-specific authentication information set in advance with the input information input by the user via the operation unit 106 is performed and the respective information matches.

  However, in order to perform the same authentication work in any of a plurality of image forming apparatuses 203, the same database must be stored in all the image forming apparatuses 203.

  For example, the image processing unit 308 performs collective printing for printing two originals on one sheet and editing processing for an output image for changing an output image to a specific format such as JPEG or PDF.

  The transmission control unit 311 controls the image reading control unit 302, the image output control unit 303, and the image processing unit 308 when transmitting the read image to an external device. Specifically, when the operation control unit 301 receives an instruction such as image quality setting such as density, output setting such as changing the image format from JPEG to PDF, or destination destination setting, the transmission control unit 311 The image reading control unit 302 is instructed to read a document, and if there is a request from the user, the image processing unit 308 is instructed to perform image processing of the read document, and image data of the read document or an image subjected to image processing The image output control unit 303 is instructed to transmit data. The image output control unit 303 transmits the image data instructed to be transmitted to the external device according to the destination designated by the user.

  Here, the destination setting is set by specifying the detailed information of the destination according to the setting of the transmission protocol and the transmission protocol. Examples of the transmission protocol include an SMTP protocol used when transmitting by electronic mail, an FTP or Webdav protocol used when transmitting to a specific file server, and the like. The detailed information of the destination includes authentication information such as an e-mail address when transmitting by e-mail, an address of the file server when transmitting to the file server, and an account corresponding to the file server.

  The storage control unit 312 controls the image reading control unit 302, the image output control unit 303, and the image processing unit 308 when storing the read image in the image forming apparatus 203. Specifically, when the operation control unit 301 receives an instruction such as saving of image data of an original, setting of image quality such as density, output setting such as changing the image format from JPEG to PDF, or setting of a destination for saving. The storage control unit 312 instructs the image reading control unit 302 to read the document, and if there is a request from the user, instructs the image processing unit 308 to perform image processing of the read document, and also reads the image data of the read document or The image output control unit 303 is instructed to store the image data subjected to the image processing. The image output control unit 303 stores the image data instructed to be stored in the image forming apparatus 203 according to the destination designated by the user.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram used for explaining the operation unit 106 in FIG. 2.

  4 includes a touch panel 401, a numeric keypad 402, a start key 403, a reset key 404, and a logout key 405.

  The touch panel 401 displays information instructed from the operation control unit 301 (FIG. 3). The components 401 to 405 are used for the user to instruct the image forming apparatus 203. The constituent elements 402 to 405 are hard keys, but may be soft keys on the touch panel 401. The touch panel 401 may be a liquid crystal screen that only displays information, and the user may specify with a hard key.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram used to explain a screen displayed on touch panel 401 in FIG. 4 and shows a screen displayed when copy printing is executed.

  The screen in FIG. 5A includes a function display area 501, a status display area 502, a print setting display area 503a, and a print setting area 504a.

  The function display area 501 displays the name of the function to be exerted. For example, “copy” is displayed when copy printing is performed. The status display area 502 displays whether or not the function is in a state where the function is exhibited and whether or not the setting is inadequate when the function is executed. For example, when the copy function can be used immediately, Can be done "is displayed. The print setting display area 503a displays the set print setting conditions. The print setting area 504a is an area for the user to instruct print settings. For example, detailed print settings are instructed for items such as color selection, magnification, paper selection, finishing, screen, density, and document type. be able to.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram used to explain a screen displayed on the touch panel 401 in FIG. 4, and shows a screen displayed when a read image is transmitted to an external device.

  The screen in FIG. 5B has a function display area 501 and a status display area 502 as well as a screen in the case of copy printing in FIG. 5A, and further has a transmission setting area 504b.

  In the transmission setting area 504b, in the case of copy printing, in addition to the output described for the print setting area 504a, conditions regarding the destination of the transmission destination can be set.

  FIG. 5C is a diagram used to explain a screen displayed on the touch panel 401 in FIG. 4 and shows a screen displayed when a read image is stored in the image forming apparatus 203.

  The screen in FIG. 5C has a function display area 501 and a status display area 502, as well as a screen in the case of copy printing in FIG. 5A, and further has a save setting display area 503c and a save setting area 504c.

  In the save setting display area 503c, the set save conditions are displayed. In the storage setting area 504c, conditions relating to image reading can be set.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram used to explain an authentication screen displayed on touch panel 401 in FIG.

  The user information input on the authentication screen in FIG. 6 is used to collate with registration information stored in advance in the HDD 104 as a database.

  In the authentication information instruction area 601, the user can input information necessary for authentication, for example, a user name and a password. In the authentication instruction area 602, the user can instruct authentication after inputting necessary information in the authentication information instruction area 601. The authentication unit 307 (FIG. 3) performs an authentication operation based on information input to the authentication information instruction area 601 and registration information stored in advance as a database in the HDD 104.

  The authentication method is not limited to the above authentication method, and a known authentication technique can be used. For example, an authentication system such as Microsoft ActiveDirectory (registered trademark) may be used, and an IC card or the like storing authentication information may be used. May be used to verify authentication information.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of logout processing executed by the image forming apparatus 203 of FIG.

  The processing in FIG. 7 is executed by the CPU 101 in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, first, user authentication processing is performed based on registration information stored in advance as a database and user information input in FIG. 6 (step S701). After the user authentication process, the user can use various functions of the image forming apparatus 203.

  Next, after the user authentication process, it is determined whether or not a certain timeout period has elapsed (step S702). If the user performs an operation before the timeout period (NO in step S702) (YES in step S703), it is determined whether or not the content of the operation is a logout instruction (release instruction) (step S704), and a print instruction and transmission are performed. It is determined whether it is an instruction or a storage instruction (step S705). In step S704, the content of the operation is described by taking a logout instruction as an example. However, the operation is not limited to a logout instruction, and may be a standby instruction, for example, as long as the operation instruction does not impair security.

  As a result of each determination in step S704 and step S705, if the content of the operation is neither a logout instruction (NO in step S704), nor a print instruction, a transmission instruction, or a save instruction (NO in step S705), the time-out time will be described later. The “specific time” to be set is set (step S706), and the processing after step S702 is repeated.

  Here, the “specific time” is a time-out time of any one of a specific time-out time or a plurality of time-out time candidates stored in the image forming apparatus 203 in advance. For example, when 8 candidates of 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 hour are stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 203, among these, Any one may be selected and set by the user.

  As a result of each determination in step S704 and step S705, when the content of the operation is not a logout instruction (NO in step S704) but a print instruction, a transmission instruction, or a save instruction (YES in step S705), the time-out time will be described later. “Shortest time” is set (step S707), and the processes in and after step S702 are repeated.

  Here, the “shortest time” is a time set in the same manner as the “specific time” set in step S706. If there are a plurality of time-out time candidates, the shortest time is the most. A short time is the timeout time. That is, when 8 candidates of 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 hour are stored in advance as the timeout time, the shortest time of 10 seconds is set. Is done.

  The shortest time described above may be any time, but is preferably as short as possible from the viewpoint of achieving the object of the present invention. For example, 0 to 1 hour is preferable, 0 to 10 minutes is more preferable, and 0 second. 1 minute is more preferable.

  As a result of the determination in step S702, when the above-described timeout time has elapsed (YES in step S702), or in the case of the determination in step S704, the operation content is a logout instruction (YES in step S704), the image forming apparatus Logout 203 is executed (step S708), and this process is terminated. In the case where the timeout period has elapsed in step S702 (YES in step S702), the logout execution is described as an example. However, the logout execution is not limited to the execution of the logout as in step S704. It is sufficient that an operation that does not impair security is performed.

  According to the process of FIG. 7, when the image forming apparatus 203 is not used for a certain period of time after user authentication (YES in step S702), the logout process is executed (step S708). Even in this case, the security function is not impaired.

  In addition, according to the processing of FIG. 7, when the image forming apparatus 203 is operated after user authentication, and the result of identifying the user operation is not a print instruction, a transmission instruction, or a save instruction (step (NO in S705) sets one “specific time” among the unique timeout time or a plurality of timeout time candidates stored in the image forming apparatus 203 as the timeout time (step S706).

  If the content of the user's operation is not a print instruction, a transmission instruction, or a save instruction, the user is setting the plate making process. In this case, if the timeout time is short, the user can When considering the setting contents before, the logout process is executed, and the user needs to perform the authentication process again. Correspondingly, in the process of FIG. 7, when the content of the user operation is not a print instruction, a transmission instruction, or a save instruction, the logout process is not executed immediately after the user operation. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the need for the user to perform the authentication process again, thereby improving the user's work efficiency.

  Further, according to the processing of FIG. 7, when the image forming apparatus 203 is operated after user authentication and the result of identifying the user operation is a print instruction, a transmission instruction, or a storage instruction ( In step S705, “YES” sets the shortest “shortest time” among the unique timeout time or a plurality of timeout time candidates stored in the image forming apparatus 203 as the timeout time (step S707).

  When the content of the user's operation is a print instruction, a transmission instruction, or a storage instruction, the user rarely performs another instruction continuously, and the end of the print instruction, the transmission instruction, or the storage instruction is performed by the user. This can be regarded as the end of the use of 203. Correspondingly, in the process of FIG. 7, when the content of the user operation is a print instruction, a transmission instruction, or a save instruction, the logout process is executed in a short time after the user operation. As a result, even when the user neglects the logout process, the logout process is executed in a short time, and the possibility of damaging the security function is reduced.

  That is, in the process of FIG. 7, when it is considered that the user continues to use the image forming apparatus 203 (when the content of the user operation is not a print instruction, a transmission instruction, or a save instruction), immediately after the user operation. On the other hand, when it is considered that the use of the image forming apparatus 203 is to be terminated (when the content of the user operation is a print instruction, a transmission instruction, or a save instruction), the user operation is not performed. Logout process is executed in a short time later. Thereby, a user's work efficiency can be improved, without impairing a security function.

  In this embodiment, the timing for executing the print instruction, the transmission instruction, and the storage instruction is illustrated as the timing for changing the timeout time. However, the timing is not limited to this, and any timing may be used by the user. The timing for changing the timeout time to “the shortest time” is preferably a timing at which a series of operations are completed, such as the exemplified print instruction, transmission instruction, or storage instruction. In addition, a stop instruction to the image forming apparatus 203 is issued. It may be timing.

  The present invention supplies software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. In the processing to be executed, the program and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

101 CPU
203 Image forming apparatus 301 Operation control unit 307 Authentication unit 401 Touch panel 403 Start key 404 Reset key 405 Logout key 601 Authentication information instruction area 602 Authentication instruction area

Claims (7)

In an image forming apparatus that enables an operation by a specific user after authentication of the specific user,
A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the operation has been performed before a certain time-out period elapses after the authentication;
Identification means for identifying the content of the operation when the operation is performed;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a changing unit configured to change the timeout time according to the content of the identified operation. The content of the operation identified by the identifying means is a specific process,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific process is a print instruction, a transmission instruction, a storage instruction, or a cancel instruction. The image forming apparatus stores one or more candidates for the timeout time,
The changing means changes the shortest time among the timeout time candidates when the content of the identified operation is the specific process, and when the content of the identified operation is not the specific process The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the time is changed to any one particular time-out time candidate.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the shortest time is shorter than the specific time.   The apparatus further comprises a canceling unit that cancels the authentication when the operation is not performed until the time-out period elapses or when the content of the operation identified by the identifying unit is an instruction to cancel the authentication. Item 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4. In a control method of an image forming apparatus that enables an operation by a specific user after authentication of the specific user,
A determination step of determining whether or not the operation has been performed before a certain time-out period elapses after the authentication;
An identification step for identifying the content of the operation when the operation is performed;
And a changing step of changing the timeout time according to the contents of the identified operation. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an image forming apparatus that enables an operation by a specific user after authentication of the specific user,
The control method of the image forming apparatus is:
A determination step of determining whether or not the operation has been performed before a certain time-out period elapses after the authentication;
An identification step for identifying the content of the operation when the operation is performed;
And a change step of changing the timeout time according to the content of the identified operation.

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