JP2015108855A - Image processing apparatus, interruption prevention method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the setting of restriction of interruption by another user during the execution of an event.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 executes an event specified through log-in. A use restriction control unit 132 receives the setting of a password for use restriction in response to the log-in, and compares the set password with a password for collation received in response to log-in performed during the execution of the event, and when both passwords do not match, the image forming apparatus 10 performs use restriction processing of prohibiting the interruptive execution of the event from the log-in performed during the execution of the event.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus including an image forming apparatus having a function of limiting interrupts and a control technique thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a multi-function peripheral to which a coin vendor is connected, one that manages money in units of individuals or groups using a personal authentication function is known (Patent Document 1). More specifically, when a coin vendor receives a deposit, input of “login name / password” is accepted from the operation screen, and the received password matches that registered in advance as a person who uses the service. The functions and services of the multifunction device can be used only in the case where it is done.

JP 2011-138812 A

  In the multifunction device described in Patent Document 1, since the payment to the coin vendor is associated with the input timing of login on the operation screen, the mode in which the coin vendor is not connected is described. Not. In addition, the invention described in Patent Document 1 does not describe anything about the handling of costs and restrictions on use when there are multiple users competing for the use of a multifunction machine.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an image processing apparatus, an interrupt prevention method, a program thereof, and a recording medium storing the program that can set a restriction on interruption by another person during event execution in the multifunction peripheral. It is to provide.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus that executes an event specified through login, uses restriction setting means for accepting setting of a password for restricting use in response to the login, and the set Password and the verification password received in response to the login made during the execution of the event, and if the two passwords do not match, execute the event interrupt from the login made during the execution of the event Use restriction processing means for prohibiting

  Further, the interrupt prevention method according to the present invention is an interrupt prevention method in an image processing apparatus that executes an event specified through login, wherein the use restriction setting means responds to the login for use restriction. The setting of the password is accepted, and the use restriction processing means compares the set password with the password for verification received corresponding to the login made during the execution of the event. It prohibits interrupt execution of events from login made during event execution.

  The present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute the interrupt prevention method. Further, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  According to this invention, since the person who uses the image forming apparatus can set in advance whether or not another person's interrupt is permitted, the event set by himself / herself is interrupted or canceled during the event execution. Can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent the event from being left uninterrupted or the event setting contents from being deleted accidentally. Furthermore, interrupts are allowed between groups that share passwords as usage restriction permission / inhibition verification information, which increases convenience. If no usage restriction is required, the trouble of password input operation can be saved.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the use restriction setting means cancels the use restriction setting when an event for which the use restriction is set ends. According to this configuration, the use restriction setting is quickly released when it is no longer necessary to prevent interruption.

  Further, the present invention provides a charge management means that includes a coin vendor and performs billing processing associated with execution of an event designated through the login and an event permitted to be interrupted during the execution of the event. It is provided. According to this configuration, for example, the cost of events in a group can be managed collectively. In addition, it is possible to prevent an event from being executed by another person outside the group with the money paid by the user.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the use restriction setting means cancels the use restriction setting when there is no remaining balance. According to this configuration, the use restriction setting is quickly released when the event cannot be executed due to cost.

  In addition, the present invention provides a communication unit that communicates with a mobile communication terminal via a network, and when the login is performed from the mobile communication terminal, the mobile communication terminal is separated from the communication unit by a predetermined distance after the login. A distance monitoring means for detecting whether or not the mobile communication terminal is separated from the communication means by a predetermined distance, and the use restriction setting means is operated via the communication means. According to this configuration, only when it is necessary to leave the place during an event, it is possible to take measures to prevent another person's interruption.

  Further, according to the present invention, the use restriction setting means cancels the use restriction setting via the communication means when the portable communication terminal for which the use restriction setting has been made approaches within a predetermined distance from the communication means. It is characterized by. According to this configuration, since the use restriction setting is automatically canceled when there is no concern about another person's interruption, it is possible to save the trouble of releasing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to set a restriction on interruption by another person during event execution.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the image forming apparatus with which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows 3rd Embodiment of the image forming apparatus with which this invention is applied. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of operation processing I of the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the principal login process I. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the use restriction setting process I. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the event execution process I. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the use restriction cancellation process I. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of another person's interruption process I during execution of the personal event with use restriction setting. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the principal login process II. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the event execution process II. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of another person's interruption process II during execution of the principal event with use restriction setting. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of operation processing III of the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the user restriction setting process III. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the use restriction cancellation process III.

  In the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a user management control unit 13, and an event processing unit 14. Here, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10 is installed in, for example, a convenience store or a public hall that can be used by ordinary people.

  The display unit 11 displays an image, and an input content and an event processing status are confirmed and displayed. The operation unit 12 may be a mouse or a keyboard, for example, but here, a general touch panel or the like stacked on a display screen is adopted, and various input operations from the user are received through pressing of buttons. The user management control unit 13 includes a microcomputer and has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) inside. The microcomputer causes each function unit (event execution unit) included in the image forming apparatus 10 to be executed via the event processing unit 14. In addition, although not shown, the event refers to a known copy function, facsimile function, printer function, scanner function, mail communication function, and the like provided in the image forming apparatus 10. Note that the event may include functions other than the processing described above. The event processing unit 14 outputs information related to the event execution status to the user management information 13. Hereinafter, functions related to the user management control, which is the point of the invention, will be mainly described.

  The storage unit 133 has an area for storing processing programs and necessary data in advance, and a work memory area for temporarily storing data being processed. The user management control unit 13 functions as the user reception processing unit 131 and the user restriction control unit 132 by reading the processing program into the work memory area and executing it. The user reception processing unit 131 performs a login process in which a user who desires to execute an event inputs at least a personal ID through the operation unit 12 or through an ID card, and specifies an event.

  The user restriction control unit 132 has a function as a use restriction setting unit that receives an input of a password for use restriction setting described later. The user restriction control unit 132 displays a password entry screen on the display unit 11 together with the guidance for user restriction setting, and registers the password entered by the user according to the guidance, or sets the password without following the guidance. Perform the process when not.

  In addition, the user management control unit 13 displays a display unit when another user has logged in during the execution of an event designated by the user who has set a password (by the previous login). 11 has a function as a use restriction processing unit that displays a prompt to input a password, compares the entered password with a registered password, and performs a use restriction process based on the result. If there is no input, it is determined that there is a mismatch. If the comparison results match, subsequent login by another user is accepted, and event designation, that is, event interrupt execution is permitted. On the other hand, if the comparison results do not match, subsequent logins by other users are not accepted and rejected.

  Then, the user restriction control unit 132 performs a process of canceling the use restriction setting when the event of the user who set the password ends.

  Next, the procedure of the operation process I of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. As shown in the main routine of FIG. 4, in the operation process I, first, the user login process I (step S1) is executed, and then the user restriction setting process I (step S3) is executed. Then, the event execution process I (step S5) is executed, and finally the user restriction release process I (step S7) is performed.

  First, in the personal login process I of FIG. 5, a login screen is displayed by pressing a reception button (including a login activation button) displayed on the initial screen of the display unit 11, and the personal ID is input. Login is accepted (step S11). In addition, the aspect which ask | requires a principal password may be sufficient for login. Next, an event selection screen is displayed, and an event is designated by pressing a desired event button by the user (step S13). As a result, the event processing unit 14 starts preparation for an event operation. It is also possible to log in from an ID card.

  Next, in the usage restriction setting process I of FIG. 6, usage restriction setting guidance is displayed on the screen together with password entry guidance (step S21). Then, it is determined whether or not the user has entered a password for use restriction setting (step S23). If there is an input, it is registered in the storage unit 133 in association with the principal ID (step S25). . On the other hand, if there is no input even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the setting is not to be made, and the process is exited.

  Next, in the event execution process I of FIG. 7, the event specified by the person is executed by the event processing unit 14 (step S31). The execution of the event includes an event of a user (such as the user) who is permitted to interrupt. The event such as the person is executed until it is determined that these events have ended (Yes in step S33).

  Next, in the usage restriction release process I of FIG. 8, the presence / absence of the usage restriction setting is confirmed (step S41). If the usage restriction setting is made, the setting is released (step S43), while the usage restriction setting is made. If it is not, it goes out of this flow as it is.

  The other person's interrupt process I during the execution of the personal event with the use restriction setting in FIG. 9 will be described. While the event designated by the person is being executed, it is determined whether or not there is a subsequent login by another person (step S51). Here, as an example of the time of subsequent login, when an event scans a plurality of originals and the scanned image data is transmitted to a transmission destination, the period between the end of original scanning and the start of data transmission is shown. Assumed.

  If there is no login in step S51, the flow exits. On the other hand, if there is a login, a password input guidance screen for use restriction setting is displayed (step S53). Here, the difference between the input password and the registered password is compared (step S55), and if they do not match, including no input, the acceptance is rejected (step S57) and the interruption is prohibited. On the other hand, if the two passwords match, the other person is regarded as a member who has permitted use of the interruption, and is permitted to execute the other person event. During this time, the personal event is interrupted (step S59). Then, it is determined whether or not the other person event has ended (step S61). If it is determined that the other person event has ended, the interrupted personal event is resumed (step S63). The resume of the personal event can be automatically resumed by temporarily saving and storing the state at the time of interruption, or can be resumed upon resetting of the principal.

  Next, a second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 2 differs from FIG. 1 in that the image forming apparatus 10 includes a coin vendor 15. A known coin vendor 15 can be used, and automatically pays a fee for receiving an event service provided by the image forming apparatus 10. Specifically, it includes a money input unit and a money detection unit (not shown), and also includes a fee management unit 151 that performs billing processing according to event execution and also manages balances. The management result is also provided to the user restriction control unit 132.

  By providing the coin vendor 15, among the operation processes of the image forming apparatus 10, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the personal login process II, the event execution process II, and the personal event with the use restriction setting are being executed. Another person's interrupt processing II is different from the operation processing of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, each of these processes II will be described.

  In the personal login process II of FIG. 10, first, a login is accepted (step S111). Next, it is determined whether or not there is a deposit to the coin vendor 15 (step S113). If it is determined that there is a deposit, an event is designated (step S115). If there is no payment after a predetermined time, the process exits this flow.

  Next, in the event execution process II of FIG. 11, the event specified by the person or the like is executed by the event processing unit 14, and the billing process is also executed simultaneously (step S121). Next, the presence / absence of the balance is determined (step S123), and the event such as the principal is executed until the balance is exhausted.

  Next, another person's interrupt process II during the execution of the personal event with the use restriction setting in FIG. 12 will be described. While an event designated by the person is being executed, it is determined whether or not another person has logged in (step S131). If there is no login, exit this flow. On the other hand, if there is a login, a password input guidance screen for use restriction setting is displayed (step S133). Here, the difference between the input password and the password registered in advance is compared (step S135), and if it does not match, including no input, the acceptance is rejected (step S137), and the interruption is prohibited. On the other hand, if the two passwords match, the other person event is executed and the billing process is performed. During this time, the person event is interrupted (step S139). Then, whether or not there is a balance is determined (step S141), and if there is no balance, this flow is exited. Next, it is determined whether or not the other person's event has ended (step S143). If it is determined that the other person's event has ended, the interrupted personal event is resumed, and charging processing is also performed (step S145). Then, the presence / absence of the balance is determined (step S147), and if there is no balance, the present flow is exited. Next, it is determined whether or not the personal event has ended (step S149). If it is determined that the personal event has ended, the process exits this flow.

  Next, a third embodiment shown in FIG. 3 will be described. 3 is different from FIG. 2 in that the image forming apparatus 10 accepts an input operation from the mobile communication terminal 20. The mobile communication terminal 20 is a smartphone carried by a user, for example, and is a communication processing unit 21 that communicates with the image forming apparatus 10 via a wireless LAN, and various buttons displayed on an operation panel (not shown). An instruction processing unit 22 that performs an instruction operation of a corresponding function by touching is provided. In FIG. 3, the coin vendor 15 is not necessarily required.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is equipped with a wireless LAN access point 17 and communicates with the mobile communication terminal 20 via the communication processing unit 16 and the network.

  Next, the procedure of the operation process III of the image forming apparatus will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. As shown in the main routine of FIG. 13, in the operation process III, first, the user login process III (step S201) is executed, and then the event execution process III (step S203) is executed. Then, the user restriction setting process III (step S205) is executed, and finally the user restriction release process III (step S207) is performed. The principal login process III is the same as that of the second embodiment except that the principal login process III is performed via the mobile communication terminal 20, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the user restriction setting process III in FIG. 14, the distance detection process between the image forming apparatus 10, here the access point 17, and the logged-in mobile communication terminal 20 is performed (step S <b> 211). Note that the distance does not need to be accurate, and it is sufficient to determine whether the user can be regarded as being away from the image forming apparatus 10 after logging in. The distance determination between the image forming apparatus 10 and the mobile communication terminal 20 may use GPS (Global Positioning System) or monitor image processing technology having a tracking function. Here, as an example, a wireless LAN beacon signal and It is possible to use a probe response signal that responds to. The wireless LAN periodically transmits a beacon signal, and the mobile communication terminal 20 receives this radio wave including the signal strength. By creating and installing an application including the strength information and returning it to the image forming apparatus 10 side, the image forming apparatus 10 side can determine the distance from the access point 17 of the mobile communication terminal 20 to a predetermined level. It is possible to determine whether the distance is within a threshold distance (e.g., equivalent to 10 m).

  If it is determined in step S213 that the logged-in terminal 20 is not as far as the threshold distance, the process exits this flow and periodically proceeds to step S211. On the other hand, if it is determined that the distance is greater than the threshold distance, a guide for setting use restriction is displayed on the screen together with a password input guide (step S215). Then, it is determined whether or not the user has entered a password for use restriction setting (step S217). If there is an input, it is registered in the storage unit 133 in association with the principal ID (step S219). . On the other hand, if there is no input even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the setting is not to be made, and the process is exited.

  Next, in the use restriction releasing process III in FIG. 15, the distance detection process of the mobile communication terminal 20 for which use restriction is set is performed (step S231), and it is determined whether or not the mobile communication terminal 20 has returned to the vicinity of the access point 17. (Step S233). If the distance is longer than the predetermined distance, the present flow is exited and step S231 is periodically started. If it is determined that the predetermined distance has been reached, the use restriction setting is canceled (step S235). The predetermined distance may be the same as or different from the threshold distance.

  In the above description, the coin vendor 15 is used to handle the actual money, but instead of this, or in addition to this, an aspect of using electronic money via a mobile communication terminal, a credit card, or the like may be used.

  In addition, it should be thought that description of the above-mentioned embodiment is an illustration in all the points, Comprising: It is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 13 User management control part 132 User restriction control part (Use restriction setting means, Use restriction processing means)
133 Storage unit (recording medium)
134 Perspective monitoring unit (perspective monitoring means)
15 Coin Vendor 151 Charge Management Department (fee management means)
16 Communication processing unit (communication means)
17 Access point (communication means)
20 Mobile communication terminals

Claims (9)

In an image processing device that executes an event specified via login,
In response to the login, use restriction setting means for accepting setting of a password for use restriction;
The set password is compared with the verification password received corresponding to the login made during the execution of the event, and if the two passwords do not match, the event from the login made during the execution of the event is compared. An image processing apparatus comprising usage restriction processing means for prohibiting interrupt execution. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use restriction setting unit cancels the use restriction setting when an event for which the use restriction is set ends. A charge management unit comprising a coin vendor and comprising charge management means for performing a charging process associated with execution of an event designated through the login and an event permitted to be interrupted by the login made during the execution of the event. The image processing apparatus described. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the usage restriction setting unit cancels the usage restriction setting when there is no remaining balance. A communication means for communicating with a mobile communication terminal via a network;
When the login is performed from the mobile communication terminal, a perspective monitoring unit that detects whether the mobile communication terminal is separated from the communication unit by a predetermined distance after the login,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use restriction setting unit operates via the communication unit when the mobile communication terminal is separated from the communication unit by a predetermined distance. The usage restriction setting means cancels the usage restriction setting via the communication means when the portable communication terminal for which usage restriction setting has been made approaches within a predetermined distance from the communication means. 5. The image processing apparatus according to 5. In an interrupt prevention method in an image processing apparatus that executes an event specified through login,
In response to the login, the use restriction setting means accepts a password setting for use restriction,
The use restriction processing means compares the set password with the verification password received corresponding to the login made during the execution of the event, and if the two passwords do not match, the usage restriction processing means is executed during the execution of the event. An interrupt prevention method that prohibits event execution from logged-in. A program for causing a computer to execute the interrupt prevention method according to claim 7. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 8 is recorded.

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