JP2015122601A - Image forming apparatus, control method of the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism that enables the easy sharing of information that is managed in association with user information by using a portable storage medium.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus stores setting information defining the setting of processing to be executed in the image forming apparatus in association with user information, detects a portable storage medium, acquires the user information through the detection of the portable storage medium, acquires the setting information on the processing to be executed in the image forming apparatus, and stores the acquired setting information in association with the acquired user information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, a paper material is scanned by a device such as a multifunction peripheral, and the scan data is transmitted to another apparatus such as a FAX destination or a PC.

  For the transmission, settings such as a transmission destination and a data format are performed. When there are many items to be set, it is troublesome to perform the setting operation each time various operations are performed in the multi-function peripheral including the transmission process.

  On the other hand, for example, in Cited Document 1, the setting information is stored in a portable storage medium such as an IC card used by the user to use the multifunction device, and the setting information is combined when the IC card is detected. Techniques that are read and applied by a machine are disclosed.

JP 2010-220121 A

  A portable storage medium such as an IC card is used, for example, to manage each user who uses a multi-function device, the usage status and history of the user's multi-function device independently for each user. With the technique of Patent Document 1, setting information managed independently by an IC card cannot be shared among a plurality of users.

  Further, although it is conceivable to store setting information desired by all users who use the device for each device such as a multifunction peripheral, the setting operation for storing the setting information is complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that allows information managed in association with user information to be easily shared using a portable storage medium.

  An image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a storage unit that stores setting information that defines setting of processing to be executed by the image forming apparatus in association with user information, and detects a portable storage medium. A detection unit, a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information by detecting the portable storage medium by the detection unit, and a process executed by the image forming apparatus by acquiring user information by the user information acquisition unit. Setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information; association storage means for storing the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition means in the storage means in association with the user information acquired by the user information acquisition means; It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism capable of easily sharing information managed in association with user information using a portable storage medium.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an image formation management system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of client PC, a portable terminal, and a server in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of each apparatus in embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for storing setting information from the multifunction peripheral to a storage medium in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for storing setting information from a storage medium to a multifunction peripheral in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the setting transfer screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the setting memory | storage screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the standby screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the write completion screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the setting information in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the menu screen in embodiment of this invention.

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

  With reference to FIG. 1, an example of an image forming system configuration in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention, various apparatuses such as a multi-function apparatus 300 (multi-function apparatus 300A / multi-function apparatus 300B) and an authentication server 100 are communicably connected via a network as shown in a LAN 101. Has been configured.

  The MFP 300 has functions such as copying, scanning, transmission of scanned data to other devices, FAX, mail creation and transmission, and setting information necessary for using each function (for example, scanning color settings, scanning data (Input destination setting etc.) and storage function. It is assumed that each setting information is stored and managed for each user who uses the multifunction machine 300.

  In addition, it has functions of detecting a portable storage medium storing user identification information and password, such as an IC card, reading (acquiring) information from the portable storage medium, and writing (storing) information to the portable storage medium. Prepare.

  The authentication server 100 acquires user identification information (for example, a user ID), a password, and other user information acquired from the MFP 300, and determines whether or not to permit login to the MFP 300 using the user information. An authentication process is performed, and the result of the authentication process is transmitted to the multifunction device 300. A LAN (local area network) 101 is a network that connects the devices shown in FIG. The above is the description of an example of the system configuration of the image forming system in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the server in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. In FIG. 2, although described as CRT 210, the display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  A memory controller 207 is connected to the hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, etc. via an adapter. The access to the external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory is controlled.

  A communication I / F controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 101 shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later. The above is an explanation of an example of the hardware configuration of the server in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of the hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN (for example, the LAN 101 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line (WAN). ) (For example, PSTN or ISDN) to input / output image data and device information.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the CPU 301 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (keyboard) 308. Further, the operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit the key information (for example, pressing of the start button) input from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to the network (LAN) 101. In addition, wireless communication is also possible, and connection is made with other devices by communication using infrared rays, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Input and output data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  Reference numeral 318 denotes an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. In this embodiment, an IC card for a portable terminal required for authentication A card reader 319 for reading (storage medium) is connected to the external I / F unit 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card of the mobile terminal by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card of the mobile terminal. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure.
The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Note that the display unit has different display performance depending on the printer, and a printer that can be operated via a touch panel, a printer that simply has a liquid crystal screen and displays a character string (displays the print status and the name of the document being printed). Is structured.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card (which may be provided in the portable terminal as an IC chip) under the control of the CPU 301, and reads the read information via the external I / F 318. To notify. Further, the card reader 319 corresponds to the NFC communication standard, and is configured to be able to read and write to an IC card or an IC chip of a portable terminal. In addition, when an NFC standard-compliant portable terminal is held over an NFC standard-compliant card reader, authentication is performed and the portable terminal is paired with a printer (multifunction device). Then, communication (P2P) can be established between the held portable terminal and the printer (multifunction machine) to perform data communication. In addition, it is also possible to take over communication (handover) to Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), which are high-speed communication standards, and to perform communication between the portable terminal and the printer (multifunction device). For example, by holding the portable terminal over a card reader, an image stored in the portable terminal can be transmitted to a printer (multifunction machine). The details of the NFC communication standard are conventional techniques, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

  In the above-described multifunction device 300, a platform for controlling the multifunction device 300 exists, and an authentication application for communicating with the authentication server is operating on the platform. The authentication application is stored in the HDD 304. An area on the HDD 304 is secured for a login context that is managed by the platform and stores user information at the time of login, and various setting information.

On the platform, an application in which the main body function of the MFP 300 is extended is installed and operating. These applications are executed using the platform API.
Through this platform, it is possible to control each function of the printer.

  In addition, the MFP 300 also stores a Web browser, and can also cooperate with the Web system. In this case, the screen received from the web application server is displayed using a web browser. A command instructed on the Web browser is requested to the Web application server, and the MFP 300 can execute an operation (scanning or print processing) by receiving the command from the Web application server.

  With the configuration as described above, the multifunction peripheral 300 can transmit the image data read from the scanner 314 to the LAN 101 and print out the print data received from the LAN 101 by the printer unit 312.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner 314 can be faxed to the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312. The above is the description of FIG.

  Next, an example of a functional configuration of each device in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of each device in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The setting information storage unit 431 is a storage unit that stores setting information of each function in the MFP 300 in association with user identification information such as a user ID. Details of the setting information will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The setting information writing target medium detection unit 432 is a detection unit that detects a portable storage medium (for example, an IC card) as a target to which setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 431 is written. The writing target information acquisition unit 433 specifies and acquires setting information to be written to the portable storage medium to which setting information is to be written, detected by the setting information writing target medium detection unit 432, from the setting information storage unit 431. It is an acquisition unit.

  The setting information writing processing unit 434 performs processing for writing the setting information to the portable storage medium to which the setting information is to be written. The setting information reading processing unit 435 is a reading processing unit that acquires and reads information from the portable storage medium detected by the portable storage medium detection function of the multifunction machine 300. The information to be read is, for example, user information such as a user ID / password, or the setting information stored in the portable storage medium.

  The setting information updating unit 436 uses the information read by the setting information reading processing unit 435 to update the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 431 and to additionally store new setting information in the setting information storage unit 431. It is a processing unit that performs the above.

  The authentication processing unit 411 is a processing unit that performs an authentication process in response to an authentication request from the MFP 300. The above is an explanation of an example of the functional configuration of each device in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 11, the configuration of the setting information in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of setting information in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The setting information 1100 is setting information stored in the external memory of the multifunction machine 300. Further, the information is stored in the storage medium when the multifunction peripheral 300 writes the detected storage medium (for example, an IC card).

The ID 1101 is identification information for uniquely identifying each setting information. The classification 1102 is function classification information indicating that the setting information is a setting information that is similar to any function in the MFP 300.
"Scan ticket"
“Print Ticket”
"FAX transmission"
"Copy"

  A name 1103 is a name of each setting information. The executable user 1104 is information for identifying a user who can use the setting information. When the user name (user ID) is designated, the setting information can be used only when the login user to the MFP 300 matches the user indicated by the user ID.

  If “manager” or “XX department employee” is inserted, the employee type (information indicating whether it is a regular employee or equivalent to a manager (section manager, department manager, etc.)) included in the user information of the login user, With reference to information (department ID) for identifying a department to which the user belongs, it is determined whether or not the setting information can be used by the login user.

  The expiration date 1105 is a date when the setting information can be used. The copy permission / prohibition 1106 is information indicating whether or not the setting information can be copied and stored in the IC card. When copy permission / prohibition 1106 = “permitted”, storage of the setting information in the IC card is permitted. When copy permission / prohibition 1106 = “No”, storage of the setting information in the IC card is not permitted, and the CPU 301 of the multifunction peripheral 300 selects the setting information for storing the setting information in the IC card in the first place. It is not displayed on the screen. A user 1107 is a user ID (user information) of a user associated with the setting information, and is a user ID of a user who uses the setting information. That is, it is user information as the owner of the setting information indicated by ID 1101.

  The creator 1108 is a user ID of a user who gives an instruction (generation instruction) to create the setting information. The generation date and time 1109 is information on the date and time when the setting information is generated. The file format 1110 is information indicating in which file format the scan data acquired by scanning the document is generated.

  The resolution 1111 is a resolution value of the scan data when the scan data is created. The scan setting 1112 is for scanning (scanning) an original in which color or monochrome scan is performed (whether the scanned data is generated as a file with color or monochrome settings), single-sided scan, double-sided This is a setting for which scan to scan (whether only one side of a paper document is scanned or both sides are scanned in one scan).

  The output setting 1113 is an output setting for outputting scan data or print data. The output here is, for example, printing (including copying). Whether the data to be printed is printed in either color or monochrome, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, or how many pages of data This is a setting for aggregation (page aggregation) and printing on one side of paper (if “2 in 1”, data for two pages is printed on one side of paper).

  The transmission destination 1114 is a transmission destination of scan data. As the transmission destination, for example, in the case of a scan ticket, a URL or the like of a predetermined storage area such as a PC terminal (not shown) is inserted. In the case of FAX transmission, the FAX number is the FAX number of the FAX transmission destination. The configuration of the setting information in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 11 is described above.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the flow of processing for storing the setting information from the multifunction peripheral to the storage medium in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for storing setting information from the multifunction peripheral to the storage medium in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, it is assumed that the processing of the flowchart is executed by the CPU of each device using the function of each functional unit of each device.

  Here, it is assumed that the multifunction device 300 in FIG. 5 is, for example, the multifunction device 300-A.

  The CPU 301 of the MFP 300 detects the IC card (step S501), reads the user ID and password stored in the IC card from the detected IC card, and transmits them to the authentication server 100 (step S502 / user information). Acquisition means). The user ID and password stored in the IC card are used for logging in to the multifunction device 300.

  The CPU 201 of the authentication server 100 receives the card ID / password (step S504), and performs an authentication process by comparing with the user ID / password of the user who can use the multi-function device 300, which is stored in the authentication server. (Step S504).

  It is determined whether the authentication is successful (step S505). If the authentication is unsuccessful, the process ends. If the authentication is successful, information indicating that the authentication is successful is transmitted to the multi-function device 300 (step S506).

  The CPU 301 of the multifunction device 300 receives the authentication result (step S507), and displays a menu screen as shown in FIG. 12 on the display screen of the multifunction device 300 (step S508). On the menu screen, buttons (“Print”, “Copy”, “FAX”, and “Scan” buttons) for transitioning to a screen for performing each process executable by the MFP 300 are displayed. In addition, a “setting shift” button, which is a button for storing setting information (setting information 1100) of each process in a storage medium, is displayed.

  The CPU 301 of the MFP 300 receives an operation instruction from the user, and determines whether the received instruction is an instruction to store setting information in a storage medium (an instruction to press a “setting shift” button) (step S510). If the received instruction is not an instruction to store the setting information in the storage medium, it is determined that a button indicating each process is pressed or a logout button is pressed, and a screen or logout process corresponding to each process (not shown) Is executed (step S520).

  When it is determined that the received instruction is an instruction to store the setting information in the storage medium, the CPU 301 of the multifunction peripheral 300 among the setting information 1100 stored in the external memory, the user who is logged in to the multifunction peripheral 300 (login user). ) Is obtained, and it is determined whether or not there is copy permission / prohibition information 1106 = possible setting information (step S511).

  If copy permission / prohibition 1106 = setting information is not available, an error screen (not shown) is displayed on the display screen, and the process ends. If there is copy permission / prohibition information 1106 = permitted setting information, it is determined whether there is a plurality of copy permission / prohibition information 1106 = permitted setting information (step S512).

  When the copy permission / prohibition 1106 = one setting information is permitted, the process proceeds to step S514. When there is a plurality of setting information that can be copied 1106 = allowed, the plurality of setting information is acquired, and the display screen is changed to a screen such as the setting transition screen 700 of FIG. The setting transition screen 700 is a screen for accepting selection of setting information to be stored in the IC card and an instruction to execute storage processing of the setting information that has received the selection to the IC card.

  In the setting transfer screen 700, a list display unit that displays a list of setting information acquired from the external memory and corresponding to the login user, and a check box (selection for receiving selection of setting information displayed in the list display unit) And a “transfer setting” button that is a button for storing the setting information received in the selection on the IC card.

  When the CPU 301 of the multifunction device 300 receives an instruction to select the setting information and an instruction to transfer the selected setting information to the IC card (step S513), the display screen is set to a setting like the detection screen 900 in FIG. The display screen is shifted to a standby screen that waits until detection of an IC card to which information is written (step S514).

  The CPU 301 of the multifunction machine 300 determines whether an IC card has been detected (step S515). The CPU 301 of the multifunction device 300 detects the IC card or waits until a predetermined time elapses. When the predetermined time elapses, the CPU 301 returns the display screen to the setting transition screen 700 (processing is performed in step S513). Go back). If an IC card is detected (YES in step S515), a user ID is acquired from the detected IC card. Then, it is determined whether the user ID is the same as the user ID of the logged-in user (step S516). If the user ID is the same, a process of storing (writing) each setting information received on the setting transfer screen 700 is stored in the IC card. This is performed (step S517).

  When the same setting information (setting information with the same ID) as the setting information to be written is already stored in the IC card, the writing process is not performed for the setting information.

  In addition, in order to perform the writing process, it is assumed that the IC card is continuously deceived by the IC card detection unit (card reader) until the writing process is completed. In other words, it is necessary to be able to continue detecting the card.

  Thereafter, when the writing process is successful, the display screen is changed to a screen such as a writing completion screen 1000 (shown in FIG. 10), and the user is notified that the writing has been completed. If the writing has failed, the process proceeds to step S522, and an error screen (not shown) is displayed.

  If the user ID acquired from the IC card is different from the user ID of the logged-in user (in the case of an IC card of a different user), acquire one setting information to be written and refer to the “Creator” section of the setting information Then, it is determined whether the creator is a login user (a user ID of the login user) (step S521 / user determination unit).

If the creator = login user, the setting information is written to the IC card (step S517). If the creator is not a login user, the writing process is interrupted, and the process proceeds to step S522. The above is the description of the flow of processing for storing the setting information from the multifunction peripheral to the storage medium in the embodiment of the present invention of FIG.
Next, a flow of processing for storing setting information from the storage medium to the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  6 is assumed to be, for example, a multifunction machine 300-B.

  Moreover, since the process of step S601-S607 is the same as the process of step S501-507 of FIG. 5, description is omitted here (it corresponds to S602 / user information acquisition means).

  In step S508, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 reads the setting information stored in the detected IC card (step S608 / setting information acquisition unit), and among the setting information, the settings that are not stored in the MFP 300 are set. The information is identified by collating the ID 1101 and user of the setting information 1100 stored in the external memory and the ID and user of the read setting information (step S609). That is, it is determined whether the setting information stored in the detected IC card is stored in the external memory of the MFP 300 in association with the user information of the detected IC card (the number of acquisitions for determining whether a plurality of acquisitions have been acquired) Determining means), if setting information that is not stored in association with the detected user information of the IC card exists in the IC card, the setting information that is not stored in association with the IC card is stored in the MFP 300. It is specified as a candidate for setting information to be performed.

  The CPU 301 of the multifunction machine 300 determines whether there is one or more specified setting information (step S610). If there is one or more, it is determined whether there is a plurality of setting information (step S611). If there are a plurality of setting information, a screen such as a setting storage screen 800 (shown in FIG. 8 / selection screen) is displayed on the display screen. (Step S612 / selection screen display means).

  The setting storage screen 800 is a screen for displaying a list of setting information stored in the IC card, causing the user to select, and storing the selected setting information in the multifunction peripheral 300 itself (external memory).

  The list display unit 801 is a display unit that reads and displays setting information stored in the IC card. A check box 802 is a selection receiving unit that receives selection of setting information. A “setting information storage” button 803 is a button for instructing execution of a storage process for storing the selected setting information in the external memory of the multifunction peripheral 300. A “Cancel” button 804 is a button for ending the screen without storing the setting information in the external memory of the multifunction peripheral 300.

  When there are a plurality of setting information stored in the IC card, each setting information displayed on the list display unit 801 is displayed in a non-selected state, and shifts to the selected state upon receiving a selection instruction from the user.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The CPU 301 of the multi-function device 300 determines whether selection of back setting information has been accepted on the setting storage screen 800 (step S613). If selection has not been accepted, the process proceeds to step S615.

  When pressing of the “Cancel” button 804 is accepted, the screen is changed to the menu screen 1200 (step S618).

  When the selection is accepted, the selected setting information is changed to a selected state (check box 802 is checked / step S614). Then, the process returns to step S613.

  If it is determined in step S611 that there is only one setting information, a screen such as a setting storage screen 800 (shown in FIG. 8) for displaying the one setting information is generated, and the one setting information is displayed. Information is selected (step S619) and displayed on the display screen (step S620).

  In step S615, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 determines whether or not an instruction to store the selected setting information on the MFP 300 (reception of pressing the “setting information storage” button) is issued on the setting storage screen 800 (step S615). If the storage instruction has not been given, the process returns to step S613.

  When the storage instruction is issued, the setting information being selected is stored in the external memory of the multifunction peripheral 300 in association with the user ID of the login user (step S616). That is, the setting information in which the user ID of the login user is inserted into the “user” section of the setting information 1100 is newly stored in the external memory of the multifunction machine 300.

  When the storage process is completed, a screen indicating that the storage process is completed, such as the write completion screen in FIG. 10, is displayed, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the front screen is changed to the menu screen 1200. The above is the description of the flow of processing for storing the setting information from the storage medium to the multifunction peripheral in the embodiment of the present invention in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism capable of easily sharing information managed in association with user information using a portable storage medium.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or storage medium, and can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices. You may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  Note that the present invention includes a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely from a system or apparatus. The present invention also includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. In addition, there are magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), and the like.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the downloaded key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

100 Authentication server 101 LAN
300-A MFP 300-B MFP

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus having a storage unit that stores setting information that defines setting of processing executed in the image forming apparatus in association with user information,
Detecting means for detecting a portable storage medium;
User information acquisition means for acquiring user information by detecting the portable storage medium by the detection means;
Setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information of processing executed by the image forming apparatus by acquiring user information by the user information acquisition means;
Association storage means for storing the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition means in the storage means in association with the user information acquired by the user information acquisition means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Acquisition number determination means for determining whether a plurality of setting information is acquired by the setting information acquisition means;
When it is determined that a plurality of acquisition information is acquired by the acquisition number determination unit, a selection screen for selecting which setting information among the plurality of acquired setting information is stored in the storage unit by the association storage unit is displayed A selection screen display means to be displayed on,
With
The association storage means stores the setting information selected on the selection screen displayed by the selection screen display means in association with the user information acquired by the user information acquisition means in the storage means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Association determination means for determining whether the setting information is already stored in the storage means by the setting information acquisition means in association with the user information acquired by the user information acquisition means;
The association storage means stores, in the storage means, the setting information determined by the association determination means to be stored in the storage means in association with the user information acquired by the user information acquisition means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus stores the information in association with the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit. The setting information includes user information as a creator of the setting information,
Writing means for writing the setting information stored in the storage means to the portable storage medium;
User determination means for determining whether the user information as the creator of the setting information written by the writing means is the same as the user information of the user who is logged in to the image forming apparatus,
With
When the user determination unit determines that the user information as the creator of the setting information written by the writing unit is the same as the user information of the user who is logged in to the image forming apparatus, the setting information The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming device is written in a portable storage medium. A control method for an image forming apparatus having storage means for storing setting information defining settings for processing executed in the image forming apparatus in association with user information,
A detection step of detecting a portable storage medium;
A user information acquisition step of acquiring user information by detecting the portable storage medium in the detection step;
A setting information acquisition step of acquiring setting information of processing executed in the image forming apparatus by acquiring user information in the user information acquisition step;
An association storage step for storing the setting information acquired in the setting information acquisition step in the storage means in association with the user information acquired in the user information acquisition step;
An image forming apparatus control method comprising: A program that can be executed by an image forming apparatus having a storage unit that stores setting information that defines settings for processing executed by the image forming apparatus in association with user information,
The image forming apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting a portable storage medium;
User information acquisition means for acquiring user information by detecting the portable storage medium by the detection means;
Setting information acquisition means for acquiring setting information of processing executed by the image forming apparatus by acquiring user information by the user information acquisition means;
A program for an image forming apparatus, wherein the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit is caused to function as an association storage unit that stores the setting information in association with the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit. .

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