JP2016076166A - Attendance management system, attendance management method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an attendance management system and an attendance management method and a program capable of achieving attendance management even when a worker stays outside a workplace to which the worker belongs.SOLUTION: An attendance management system includes: a position information storage control part for allowing a first storage part to store first position information indicating a position where an information processor is installed; an information acquisition part for acquiring user information including the identification information of a user and second position information indicating the position of the user; an authentication request part for transmitting authentication information including the identification information of the user to be used for the authentication of the user; an authentication part for, when the transmitted authentication information is coincident with preliminarily registered authentication information, authenticating the user; an authentication notification part for, when the user is authenticated, performing authentication notification including the identification information of the user and a date when the authentication is completed; attendance information transmission part for, when the authentication notification is received, transmitting attendance information in which the date when the authentication is completed and the second position information and the first position information are associated for each identification information of the user; and an attendance information storage control part for receiving the attendance information, and for allowing a second storage part to store the attendance information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an attendance management system, an attendance management method, and a program.

  Conventionally, as a management system for workers engaged in work in a specific facility, an IC (Integrated Circuit) identification card that can be read by a card reader is provided, and for example, an individual user ID stored in the IC identification card is stored. There are known techniques for reading and authenticating the management of the entrance and exit times of facilities and living rooms and the availability of electronic devices.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a work management system that performs work management using an ID registered in an image forming apparatus. The work management system described in Patent Document 1 detects the ID registered in the image forming apparatus from a card reader, thereby counting the number of people who have gone to work and the number of people leaving the office, and acquires information necessary for work management along with the time and memory To store work and manage work.

  However, the work management system described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that attendance management cannot be performed when the worker is in a place other than the work place to which the employee belongs on a business trip or going out.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a time management system, a time management method, and a program capable of performing time management even when the worker is in a place other than the work place to which the worker belongs. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the attendance management system according to the present invention allows an information processing device, an attendance management device for managing the attendance of a user, and a server device to communicate via a communication network. And a position information storage control unit for storing first position information indicating a position where the information processing apparatus is installed in a first storage unit, the user identification information, and the user position An information acquisition unit that acquires user information including second position information indicating the authentication information, an authentication request unit that includes the identification information of the user and that is used to authenticate the user, and the transmitted authentication An authentication unit that authenticates the user when the information and pre-registered authentication information match, and an authentication notification including the identification information of the user and the date and time when the authentication is completed when the user is authenticated An authentication notification unit for notification, and when receiving the authentication notification, for each identification information of the user, time information in which the authentication is completed, the second position information, and the first position information are associated with each other And a time information storage control unit that receives the time information and stores the time information in a second storage unit.

  According to the present invention, there is an advantageous effect that attendance management can be performed even when the worker is outside the work place to which the worker belongs.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the entire system configuration of the attendance management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating details of a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating details of a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the attendance management apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus, the attendance management apparatus, the server apparatus, and the association server apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first position information. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of authentication information. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of attendance information. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of an allowable range of errors. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a flow of comparing the user position information and the image forming apparatus position information. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display of attendance management information. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of display of attendance management information. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the association information. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a flow for specifying a server device. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an attendance management application and a personal authentication service. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the transition of attendance information. FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing operation of the attendance management system of the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an attendance management system, attendance management method, and program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by the following embodiment. Moreover, each embodiment can be combined suitably as long as the content is not contradicted. In the following, a case where the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a multifunction peripheral (MFP) will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Note that a multifunction peripheral is a device having at least two functions of a print function (printer function), a copy function (copy function), a scanner function, and a fax function. Hereinafter, “information processing apparatus” is also referred to as “image forming apparatus” or “multifunction peripheral (MFP)”. Note that an image forming apparatus or a multifunction peripheral (MFP) described below corresponds to an “information processing apparatus” in the claims.

  First, an outline of an example of the overall system configuration of the attendance management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall system configuration of the attendance management system of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the attendance management system 1 is associated with image forming apparatuses (information processing apparatuses) 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, attendance management apparatus 20, and server apparatus 30 that communicate via a communication network 50. And a server device 40.

  In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10a to 10c, they are simply referred to as “image forming apparatus 10”. In the following description, the image forming apparatus 10 may be simply referred to as “MFP”.

  The image forming apparatus (information processing apparatus) 10 is communicably connected to the attendance management apparatus 20, the server apparatus 30, and the linking server apparatus 40 via a communication network 50 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. .

  As will be described later, the image forming apparatus (information processing apparatus) 10 is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) equipped with an attendance management application (application), and controls the management of attendance information by executing the attendance management application. The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that executes jobs such as copying, scanning, and faxing, and an IC card reader that reads IC card information from a smart device having an IC card (Integrated Circuit Card) function. Data transmission / reception between the attendance management device 20 for managing attendance information, the server device 30 storing information for identifying the user, and the association server device 40 storing association information between the user and the server device 30 To do. The image forming apparatus 10 stores position information where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed. When the image forming apparatus 10 acquires user information including identification information for identifying a user, a password, and user position information, the authentication information used for user authentication is used as an authentication request, for example, to the server apparatus 30. Send. When the image forming apparatus 10 receives the authentication notification including the user identification information and the date and time when the authentication is completed, the image forming apparatus 10 displays the date and time when the authentication is completed, the user position information, and its own position information for each user identification information. The associated attendance information is stored. Then, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits attendance information to the attendance management apparatus 20.

  The attendance management device 20 is a network device equipped with an attendance management application, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer, an electronic device, or the like. The attendance management device 20 manages the attendance of the user. That is, it has a function of receiving attendance information from the image forming apparatus 10 and managing attendance information of workers. Hereinafter, the attendance management device 20 may be referred to as an “information processing device”.

  The server device 30 has a function of authenticating a user. The server device 30 stores authentication information registered in advance. The server device 30 receives authentication information from the image forming apparatus 10 and authenticates the user when the registered authentication information matches the received authentication information. After authenticating the user, the server device 30 notifies the authentication notification including at least the user identification information and the date and time when the authentication is completed.

  The association server device 40 is a server that may be installed in the case of being configured by a plurality of organizations, and has, for example, a function of specifying an authentication server owned by the organization. The association server device 40 stores association information in which the user identification information is associated with the server device 30 that requests user authentication. Based on the user identification information included in the user information received from the image forming apparatus 10, the linking server device 40 identifies the server device 30 that requests user authentication with reference to the linking information, and identifies the identified server Specific information including the identification information of the apparatus 30 and the identification information of the user is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10.

  The communication network 50 is, for example, a private network with high security, a VPN (Virtual Private Network), or a public network such as the Internet. The communication network 50 includes, for example, an analog line, an ADSL line, a digital line (ISDN line), a fixed telephone line such as an optical fiber use line, and a mobile telephone line such as a mobile phone line and a PHS line.

  Although FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the number of image forming apparatuses 10 connected to the attendance management apparatus 20 is three, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of image forming apparatuses 10 is arbitrary. Moreover, although the case where the number of the attendance management apparatus 20, the server apparatus 30, and the tied server apparatus 40 is one is illustrated, it is not restricted to this, The attendance management apparatus 20, the server apparatus 30, and the tied server apparatus 40 are illustrated. The number of is arbitrary.

  In the attendance management system 1, for example, a service that the attendance management device 20 remotely manages via the communication network 50 is referred to as “NRS (New Remote Service)”. In the attendance management system 1, in order to realize NRS, each image forming apparatus 10 and attendance management apparatus 20 in which software corresponding to the NRS is installed are connected. The attendance management device 20 may be configured not to perform NRS.

  Also, in the attendance management system 1, in order to perform data communication, the image forming apparatus 10, attendance management apparatus 20, server apparatus 30, and linking server apparatus 40 are adapted to methods of applications that are mutually mounted by RPC (Remote Procedure Call). It has a function of transmitting a “request” that is a request for processing and transmitting / receiving a “response” that is a result of the requested processing. In other words, the image forming apparatus 10 can generate a request to the attendance management apparatus 20, deliver the generated request to the attendance management apparatus 20, and obtain a “response” to the “request”. On the other hand, the attendance management apparatus 20 can generate a request to the image forming apparatus 10 side, deliver the generated request to the image forming apparatus 10 side, and acquire a “response” to the “request”. ing. This request includes that the image forming apparatus 10 transmits various requests to the server device 30 and the linking server device 40 and obtains responses from the server device 30 and the linking server device 40.

  In addition, in order to realize RPC, PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol), TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), HTTP (HyperTol TP). Known protocols (communication standards) such as transfer protocol (COM), component object model (COM), and CORBA (registered trademark: Common Object Request Broker Architecture), techniques, specifications, and the like can be used.

  Next, an outline of a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a controller 11, a scanner (reading unit) 12, a printer (printing unit) 13, a modem 14, an operation panel (display unit) 15, and an IC card reader 16. The network interface 17 and the SD card slot 18 are provided as main components. Each of these units is a hardware resource in the image forming apparatus 10. When the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on (powered on), the CPU 121 activates the boot loader in the ROM 122, reads the OS image in the ROM 122 according to the boot loader, loads it into the RAM 123, and develops it into a usable OS. When the OS deployment is completed, the OS is started. After that, various functions can be realized by reading out programs such as applications and services in the ROM 122 as needed, loading them into the RAM 123, developing them, and starting them.

  The controller 11 includes a CPU 121, ROM 122, RAM 123, and HDD 124. The CPU 121 realizes various functions by processing a program loaded in the RAM 123. The ROM 122 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 123 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The HDD 124 stores programs and various data used by the programs. Further, for example, an address book for specifying a user is recorded in the HDD 124.

  The program for the image forming apparatus 10 is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and may be recorded and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a recording medium.

  The scanner (reading unit) 12 is hardware for reading image data of a document by performing main scanning / sub scanning on the document.

  The printer (printing unit) 13 is hardware for printing an image on a sheet based on the image data received from the controller 11. The printer (printing unit) 13 is connected to peripheral devices such as a post-processing machine and an ADF (automatic document feeder).

  The modem 14 is, for example, hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by fax communication.

  The operation panel (display unit) 15 is hardware including input means such as buttons for accepting input from the user and display means such as a liquid crystal panel.

  The IC card reader 16 is hardware that reads IC card information from an IC card or a smart device 81, for example. The smart device 81 holds, for example, IC card information, GPS position information, and the like.

  The network interface 17 is hardware for connecting to a network (wired or wireless) such as a LAN.

  The SD card slot 18 is used for reading a program recorded on the SD card 80. That is, in the image forming apparatus 10, not only the program recorded in the ROM 122 but also the program recorded in the SD card 80 can be loaded into the RAM 123 and executed.

  In FIG. 2, the attendance management device 20, the server device 30, and the association server device 40 connected via the communication network 50 are also shown.

  Next, details of a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating details of a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a main body 60 capable of realizing various functions such as a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax function, and an operation unit 70 that receives an input corresponding to a user operation. Prepare. That is, an operation unit (operation panel) 70 of the main body 60 including a control unit of the main body 60 and a control unit independent of the main body 60. In other words, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus (MFP) 10 includes the operation unit (operation panel) 70 of the main body 60 including the Cheetah (Android (registered trademark)) or the Cheetah application.

  Note that accepting a user operation is a concept including accepting information (including a signal indicating a coordinate value of a screen) input according to the user operation. The main body 60 and the operation unit 70 are connected to each other via a dedicated communication path 500 so that they can communicate with each other. The communication path 500 can use, for example, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, but may be any standard regardless of wired or wireless.

  The main body 60 performs an operation according to the input received by the operation unit 70. The main body 60 can communicate with an arbitrary external device (for example, a client PC), and can also perform an operation in accordance with an instruction received from the external device.

  First, the hardware configuration of the main body 60 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 60 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, a RAM 123, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 124, a communication I / F (Interface) 61, and a connection I / F connected to a system bus 63. F62, a printing unit (printer) 13, and a reading unit (scanner) 12.

  The CPU 121 controls the operation of the main body 60 in an integrated manner. The CPU 121 controls the overall operation of the main body 60 by executing a program stored in the ROM 122 or the HDD 124 using the RAM 123 as a work area (working area). Further, the CPU 121 realizes various functions such as the printer function, the copy function, the scanner function, and the fax function described above.

  The communication I / F 61 is an interface for communicating with an external device or the like via the communication network 50. The connection I / F 62 is an interface for communicating with the operation unit 70 via the communication path 500.

  The reading unit (scanner) 12 is hardware that executes processing other than general-purpose information processing and communication for realizing a scanner function of scanning and reading a document.

  The printing unit (printer) 13 is hardware that executes processing other than general-purpose information processing and communication for realizing a printer function for printing on a sheet material such as paper. Further, the printing unit (printer) 13 may include specific options such as a finisher that sorts printed sheet materials and an ADF (automatic document feeder) that automatically feeds a document.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the operation unit 70 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 70 includes a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, a flash memory 74, a communication I / F 17, a connection I / F 75, and an operation panel 15 connected to the system bus 76. Is provided.

  The CPU 71 comprehensively controls the operation of the operation unit 70. The CPU 71 controls the entire operation unit 70 by executing a program stored in the ROM 72, the flash memory 74, or the like using the RAM 73 as a work area (work area). Further, the CPU 71 realizes various functions such as displaying information (image) according to an input accepted by a user operation.

  The communication I / F 17 is an interface for communicating with the attendance management device 20 and the server device 30 through the communication network 50. The connection I / F 75 is an interface for communicating with the main body 60 via the communication path 500.

  The operation panel 15 accepts various inputs according to user operations and displays various information. For example, the various information includes information corresponding to the accepted input, information indicating the operation status of the image forming apparatus 10, information indicating a setting state, and the like. In the present embodiment, the operation panel 15 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) having a touch panel function, but is not limited thereto. For example, the operation panel 15 may be configured by an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device equipped with a touch panel function. Further, in addition to or instead of this, an operation unit such as a hardware key and a display unit such as a lamp may be provided.

  Next, an outline of a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 60 includes an application layer 601, a service layer 602, and an OS (Operating System) layer 603. The entities of the application layer 601, the service layer 602, and the OS layer 603 are various software stored in the ROM 122, the HDD 124, and the like. Various functions are provided by the CPU 121 executing these software.

  The software of the application layer 601 is application software (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “application”) for operating a hardware resource to provide a predetermined function. Examples of the application include a copy application for providing a copy function, a scanner application for providing a scanner function, a fax application for providing a fax function, a printer application for providing a printer function, and the like.

  The software of the service layer 602 is software that is interposed between the application layer 601 and the OS layer 603 and provides an application with an interface for using hardware resources included in the main body 60. More specifically, such software is software for providing a function of accepting an operation request for a hardware resource and arbitrating the operation request. Examples of operation requests accepted by the service layer 602 include requests for reading by a scanner and printing by a plotter.

  The interface function by the service layer 602 is provided not only to the application layer 601 of the main body 60 but also to the application layer 701 of the operation unit 70. That is, the application layer 701 of the operation unit 70 also has a function using the hardware resources (for example, the reading unit (scanner) 12, the printing unit (printer) 13, etc.) of the main body 60 through the interface function of the service layer 602. Can be realized.

  The software of the OS layer 603 is basic software (operating system) for providing a basic function for controlling hardware included in the main body 60. The software of the service layer 602 converts a hardware resource use request from various applications into a command that can be interpreted by the OS layer 603 and passes it to the OS layer 603. Then, when the command is executed by the software of the OS layer 603, the hardware resource performs an operation in accordance with the request of the application.

  The main body 60 communicates with an external device or the like via the communication network 50.

  The operation unit 70 includes an application layer 701, a service layer 702, and an OS layer 703. The hierarchical structure of the application layer 701, the service layer 702, and the OS layer 703 included in the operation unit 70 is the same as that on the main body 60 side. However, the functions provided by the applications in the application layer 701 and the types of operation requests that can be accepted by the service layer 702 are different from those on the main body 60 side. The application of the application layer 701 is software for operating a hardware resource included in the operation unit 70 and providing a predetermined function. The application of the application layer 701 includes software for providing a UI (User Interface) function for performing operations and display related to functions (printer function, copy function, scanner function, fax function) included in the main body 60, and attendance Software for providing a function for controlling the management of information (in the following description, sometimes referred to as “time attendance app”) and the like are included.

  The operation unit 70 is connected to the communication network 50, for example, between a wireless LAN AP (wireless LAN access point) and the communication I / F 17, and the attendance management device 20 and the server device 30 are connected via the communication network 50. Communicate with etc.

  In this embodiment, in order to maintain the independence of functions, an example is given in which the software of the OS layer 603 on the main body 60 side and the software of the OS layer 703 on the operation unit 70 side are different from each other. That is, the main body 60 and the operation unit 70 operate independently of each other with different operating systems. For example, it is possible to adopt LINUX (registered trademark) as the software of the OS layer 603 on the main body 60 side and Android (registered trademark) as the software of the OS layer 703 on the operation unit 70 side.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, since the main body 60 and the operation unit 70 operate with different operating systems, communication between the main body 60 and the operation unit 70 is performed in a common apparatus. This is not communication between processes, but communication between different devices. For example, an operation (command communication) for transmitting an input (instruction content by a user operation) received by the operation unit 70 to the main body 60, an operation for the main body 60 to notify the operation unit 70 of an event, etc. are communication between different devices. As done. Thus, the operation unit 70 can use the functions of the main body 60 by performing command communication with the main body 60. The event notified from the main body 60 to the operation unit 70 includes the execution status of the operation in the main body 60 and the contents set on the main body 60 side.

  In the present embodiment, power is supplied to the operation unit 70 from the main body 60 via the communication path 500. For this reason, the power control of the operation unit 70 can be performed separately (independently) from the power control of the main body 60.

  Next, details of a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating details of a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an application module layer 751, a service module layer 752, an SRM (system resource manager) layer 753, a general-purpose OS layer 754, and an IMH (image memory handler) 733. It is configured. The application module layer 751 and the service module layer 752 are functionally connected by the GW-API-I / F 741, and the service module layer 752, the plotter / scanner engine 734, and other hardware resources 735 are connected by the RAPI-I / F 742. In addition, the plotter / scanner engine 734 is provided with an abnormality detection unit including a sensor or the like.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the CPU 121 activates the boot programs in the ROM 122 to activate these programs. Further, the CPU 121 reads out the OS image, loads it into the RAM 123, develops it in the OS, and activates the OS. The image forming apparatus 10 further implements each function by reading each application, service, and other programs in the ROM 122 as necessary, loading them into the RAM 123, developing them, and starting them. Programs constituting these software are stored in the ROM 122 or an NRS memory (not shown), read out as necessary, and executed by the CPU 121. The CPU 121 implements various functions such as software update means, response means, grace period management means, restart instruction means, and power-on notification means by executing these programs as necessary.

  The software of the application module layer 751 is configured by a program for causing the CPU 121 to function as a plurality of application control units (processing execution units) that operate hardware resources to realize predetermined functions. The software of the service module layer 752 interposes the CPU 121 between hardware resources and each application control unit, receives operation requests for hardware resources from a plurality of application control units, arbitrates the operation requests, and The program is configured to function as service control means (process execution means) that performs operation execution control based on an operation request.

  The application module layer 751 includes an NRS (New Remote Service) 711, a copy application (hereinafter referred to as an application as necessary) 712, a fax application 713, a printer application 714, a scanner application 715, A net file application 716, a web application 717, and an attendance management application 718 are provided.

  The NRS 711 is an application having a function related to remote management of the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication network 50 and a scheduler function, for example, converting data when data is transmitted / received via the communication network 50. is there. The NRS 711 is a function for notifying a device management apparatus (not shown) of status information indicating the status of the image forming apparatus 10, counter information, firmware version information, etc., and a function for transmitting a request for firmware update, command execution, etc. in units of methods. Have Further, the NRS 711 has a function of reporting an abnormality of the image forming apparatus 10, a consumable ordering call, and an activation report to the device management apparatus regularly, immediately, or irregularly. The copy application 712, the fax application 713, the printer application 714, the scanner application 715, the net file application 716, the web application 717, and the attendance management application 718, as the name indicates, are a copy function, a fax function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a net file. It is an application that realizes each service of an operation function, a web service function, and an attendance management function.

  The service module layer 752 includes an OCS (Operation Control Service) 721, an ECS (Engine Control Service) 722, an MCS (Memory Control Service) 723, an NCS (Network Control Service) 724, an FCS (Fax Control Service) 725, SCS (System Control Service) 726, DCS (Delivery Control Service) 727, and UCS (User Control Service (Personal Authentication Service)) 728 are implemented.

  The OCS 721 is a module that controls the operation panel (display unit) 15. The ECS 722 is a module that controls the plotter / scanner engine 734 such as hardware resources. The MCS 723 is a module that performs memory control. For example, the image memory is acquired and released, and the HDD 124 is used. The NCS 724 is a module that performs mediation processing between the network and each application (NRS 711 to attendance management application 718) in the application module layer 751. The FCS 725 is a module that realizes a fax function. For example, fax transmission / reception, fax reading, fax reception printing, and the like are performed. The SCS 726 is a module that performs activation management and termination management of each application (NRS 711 to attendance management application 718) in the application module layer 751 according to the content of the command. The DCS 727 is a module that transmits and receives an image file stored in the memory on the HDD 124 or the controller 11 using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol). A UCS (Personal Authentication Service) 728 is a module that manages user information such as a user ID and a password registered by a user of the image forming apparatus 10 and performs user authentication, for example.

  The SRM 731 is a module that controls the system and manages resources. The general-purpose OS 732 is an operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark) or LINUX (registered trademark). The SRM 731 manages processing for executing the program of the service module layer 752 and the application module layer 751. Here, by using UNIX (registered trademark), safety due to open source is ensured, and there are advantages such as easy source code acquisition. In addition, there is a practical advantage that the royalty for the protocol is not necessary in the network correspondence. The IMH 733 is a module that manages a memory for temporarily storing image data.

  Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the attendance management device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the attendance management apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the attendance management device 20 includes an input device 21, a display device 22, a drive device 23, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) connected to a system bus 51. ) 25, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 26, an interface device 27, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 28. A recording medium 29 is connected to the drive device 23.

  The input device 21 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and the like, and is a user interface that receives various user operation instructions. The input device 21 is an input interface for inputting each operation signal and various data to the attendance management device 20. For example, the input device 21 may be a touch panel or a voice input device.

  The display device 22 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like by a program. The display device 22 includes, for example, a display that displays an image and the like, and displays a processing result by the attendance management device 20. The display is, for example, an FPD (Flat Panel Display) such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL.

  The drive device 23 is an interface with a removable recording medium 29. The attendance management device 20 can read and / or write the recording medium 29 via the drive device 23. Examples of the recording medium 29 include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD (Compact Disk), a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and an SD. There are a memory card (SD memory card), a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), and the like.

  The RAM 24 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores various programs and data. The RAM 24 is also a memory used by the CPU 26 during data processing. Instead of the RAM 24, SDRAM, DRAM, SRAM or the like may be used.

  The ROM 25 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain internal data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 25 stores programs and data such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), information processing system settings, and network settings that are executed when the attendance management device 20 is activated. The ROM 25 is a memory for storing data (model number, IP address, etc.) requiring various non-volatility.

  The CPU 26 comprehensively controls the operation of the attendance management device 20. The CPU 26 reads out programs and data stored in the ROM 25 and the HDD 28 onto a RAM (memory) 24 and executes processing to control the overall operation of the attendance management device 20. The CPU 26 implements various functions. Further, the CPU 26 performs data calculation based on the programs of the RAM 24, the ROM 25, and the HDD 28, and controls each part of the attendance management device 20 to execute processing as the attendance management device 20.

  The interface device 27 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 50. The interface device 27 is an interface for communicating with external devices (the image forming apparatus 10, the server apparatus 30, and the linking server apparatus 40). As a result, the attendance management device 20 performs data communication with the image forming device 10, the server device 30, and the linking server device 40 via the interface device 27.

  The HDD 28 is a non-volatile storage device that stores various programs and data executed by the attendance management device 20. The HDD 28 stores programs and data necessary for realizing various functions of the attendance management device 20. The stored programs and data include an information processing system that controls the entire attendance management device 20 (for example, an OS (Operating System) that is basic software such as “Windows (registered trademark)” or “UNIX (registered trademark))”, In addition, there are applications that provide various functions on the system. The HDD 28 manages the stored programs and data by a predetermined file system and / or DB (Data Base).

  Note that the above-mentioned program for the attendance management device 20 may be recorded and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a recording medium in a file that can be installed or executed.

  In addition, since the hardware configurations of the server device 30 and the linking server device 40 described later are the same as those of the attendance management device 20 described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

  Next, functions of the image forming apparatus 10, the attendance management apparatus 20, the server apparatus 30, and the linking server apparatus 40 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the image forming apparatus, the attendance management apparatus, the server apparatus, and the association server apparatus.

  First, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the operation unit 70 includes a communication unit 101, a position information storage control unit 102, an information acquisition unit 103, an authentication request unit 104, an information storage control unit 105, and an attendance information transmission unit 106. A specific information receiving unit 107, an allowable range acquiring unit 108, a determining unit 109, a determination result storage control unit 110, a first storage unit 111, a display control unit 112, and a control unit 113. About each said part, all or some of these may be software (program), and may be a hardware circuit. Moreover, the form mounted in the main body 60 side may be sufficient as a part of said each part.

  The communication unit 101 communicates with the attendance management device 20, the server device 30, and the association server device 40. For example, information indicating a user who is managed for attendance, information indicating attendance and leaving, and a first position indicating the position of the user. Attendance information in which the position information 2 is associated with the first position information indicating the position where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed, authentication information used for user authentication, user identification information, and date and time when the authentication is completed. Send and receive authentication notifications including.

  The position information storage control unit 102 causes the first storage unit 111 to store first position information indicating the position where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed. Specifically, the position information storage control unit 102 specifies a device ID for identifying the image forming apparatus 10 and address information of the image forming apparatus 10 where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed, for example, from GPS information. Then, control to be stored in the first storage unit 111 is performed. In addition, the location information storage control unit 102 causes the first storage unit 111 to store in advance work location information in which the first location information is associated with the work location (location name).

  Here, the first position information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first position information. As shown in FIG. 8, as the first position information, for example, the identification information of the image forming apparatus 10, for example, the address specified from the apparatus ID and the GPS information of the position where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed, for example. This information is at least associated with information. In the example of FIG. 8, the GPS information of the image forming apparatus 10 having the apparatus ID “HA001” is, for example, “latitude lat = + 35.00.35.5.600” and “longitude lon = + 135.41.33.5.600”. The address information specified from the GPS information is, for example, “Minato-ku, Tokyo”, and the place name (working place) specified from the address information is, for example, “Head Office”. The GPS information of the image forming apparatus 10 having the apparatus ID “AA002” is, for example, “latitude lat = + 35.00.50.000” and “longitude lon = + 135.40.20.600”, and is specified from the GPS information. The address information to be performed is, for example, “Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture”, and the place name specified from the address information indicates, for example, “A branch”. Further, the GPS information of the image forming apparatus 10 having the device ID “BA003” is, for example, “latitude lat = + 45.00.33.5.600” and “longitude lon = + 125.30.10.600”, and is specified from the GPS information. The address information is “Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture”, for example, and the place name specified from the address information is “B branch”, for example.

  In the example of FIG. 8, the first position information is an example in which GPS information (position information of the image forming apparatus 10), address information, and place name (work place) are associated with each device ID. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first position information can be set arbitrarily. Moreover, as a method for specifying address information from GPS information, a conventional technique can be applied and is arbitrary. Further, when the image forming apparatus 10 is installed, the address information and the place name (work place) may be stored in the first storage unit 111 in advance. For example, even if the image forming apparatus 10 equipped with the attendance management application 718 is not an apparatus belonging to a company facility, for example, the image forming apparatus 10 provided in the facility of the business trip destination, for example, in the vicinity of the facility of the business trip destination For an image forming apparatus 10 provided in a convenience store or the like, or for example, an image forming apparatus 10 provided in a telework facility or a SOHO (Small Office / Home Office), etc., an apparatus ID, address information, and a place name ( If the work location is stored in the first storage unit 111, it becomes possible to perform attendance management even when leaving the company on a business trip or going out. The first position information associated with the identification information of the image forming apparatus 10 described above, for example, the apparatus ID and the address information specified from the GPS information of the position where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed is further added. Information associated with a work place (place name) is also referred to as work place information.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. The information acquisition unit 103 acquires user information including user identification information and second position information indicating the user position. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 103 acquires position information indicating a user ID for identifying the user and the current position (address information) of the user. The user identification information can be specified from, for example, user information provided with an IC card in which user information is recorded, for example, obtained by touching or holding the smart device 81 against the IC card reader 16. The user's position information can be specified from, for example, GPS information possessed by the smart device acquired by, for example, touching or holding the smart device over the IC card reader 16.

  Note that the second position information indicating the position of the user is stored in the first storage unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 10 that has acquired the user information from the smart device, in addition to specifying from the GPS information of the smart device. Address information can be substituted. In this case, the first position information (address information) and the second position information (address information) are the same.

  Here, the user information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the user information is, for example, user identification information, for example, information in which at least user position information (second position information) is associated with a user ID. In the example of FIG. 9, the user ID “0001” of the user name “Suzuki A male”, the password “ABC001” used for user authentication, and GPS information as user location information, for example, “latitude lat = + 35.00. 35.600 ”and“ longitude lon = + 135.41.35.600 ”are associated with each other. Further, the user ID “0002” of the user name “Sato B male”, the password “ABC002” used for user authentication, and GPS information as the user location information, for example, “latitude lat = + 35.00.50.000” , “Longitude lon = + 135.40.20.600”.

  Further, the user ID “0003” of the user name “Tanaka C male”, the password “ABC003” used for user authentication, and GPS information as the user location information, for example, “latitude lat = + 45.00.33.5.600” , “Longitude lon = + 125.30.10.600”. Further, the user ID “0004” of the user name “Ito D man”, the password “ABC004” used for user authentication, and GPS information as the user location information, for example, “latitude lat = + 35.00.33.5.600” , “Longitude lon = + 135.41.35.600”. In the example of FIG. 9, the user information is an example in which the password and the user's position information (GPS information) are associated with each user ID. It can be set arbitrarily.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. The authentication request unit 104 transmits the authentication information including user identification information and used for user authentication to, for example, the attendance management device 20 and the server device 30. Note that when the image forming apparatus 10 itself has a function of authenticating a user, the authentication request unit 104 notifies the authentication information provided to itself to the authentication information.

  Here, the authentication information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of authentication information. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the authentication information is, for example, user identification information, for example, information in which at least a user ID is associated with a date and time when authentication is completed. The example of FIG. 10 indicates that the information is associated with the user ID “0001”, the password “ABC001” used for user authentication, and the date and time “2014/7/1 9:10” when the authentication is completed. ing. In the example of FIG. 10, the authentication information is an example in which the user ID, the password, and the date and time when the authentication is completed are associated with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the authentication information is arbitrarily set. be able to.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. When receiving an authentication notification indicating that the user has been authenticated using the authentication information, the information storage control unit 105, for example, the date and time when the authentication is completed and the user's location information (GPS information) for each user identification information. And address information) and time information that associates at least the position information (GPS information and address information) of the image forming apparatus 10 are controlled to be stored in the first storage unit 111. Note that the authentication notification is, for example, information including at least the user ID and the date and time when the authentication is completed. Specifically, the information storage control unit 105 associates the user ID, the date and time when the authentication is completed, the address information specified from the GPS information of the user and the address information specified from the GPS information of the image forming apparatus 10. The attendance information is stored in the first storage unit 111.

  Here, the attendance information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of attendance information. As shown in FIG. 11, as attendance information, for example, user identification information, for example, a user ID, date and time when authentication included in the authentication notification is completed, address information that is the current position of the user, and image This is information that associates at least address information that is position information of the forming apparatus 10. In the example of FIG. 11, the user ID “0001” in the upper row is the date and time “2014/7/1 9:10” when the authentication is completed, and the address information “Minato-ku, Tokyo” as the user location information. This indicates that the address information “Minato-ku, Tokyo” is associated with the position information of the image forming apparatus 10.

  In addition to the items described above, in FIG. 11, the password “ABC001” used for authentication and GPS information as user location information, for example, “latitude lat = + 35.00.35.5600”, “longitude lon = + 135 .1.41.35.600 "and GPS information as position information of the image forming apparatus 10, for example," latitude lat = + 35.00.35.5600 "," longitude lon = + 135.41.33.5.600 " It also indicates that the information is associated with the user ID.

  In the example of FIG. 11, the attendance information includes, for each user ID, the password, the date and time when the authentication is completed, the user location information (GPS information), the user address information, and the location information (GPS information) of the image forming apparatus 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the attendance information can be arbitrarily set. Moreover, as attendance information, it is good also as the information which matched working place (place name) with reference to the working place information demonstrated using FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. The attendance information transmission unit 106 transmits the above-described attendance information stored in the first storage unit 111 to, for example, the attendance management device 20. Specifically, when the attendance information transmitting unit 106 receives the authentication notification, the attendance information that associates at least the date and time when the authentication is completed, the second position information, and the first position information for each user identification information. Information is transmitted to the attendance management device 20. In other words, when the attendance information transmission unit 106 receives an authentication notification indicating that the user has been authenticated, for example, for each user identification information (user ID), the date and time when the authentication is completed and the user position information (current position) Attendance information that associates at least the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 (address information of the installation position) with respect to the attendance management apparatus 20.

  The specific information receiving unit 107 receives specific information including at least the user identification information and the identification information of the server device 30 that requests user authentication from the association server device 40 and passes the specific information to the authentication request unit 104. Specifically, the linking server device 40 uses the user ID of the user information received from the image forming apparatus 10 to refer to the linking information stored in the linking information storage unit 402 and authenticate the user. The server device 30 to be requested is specified. The associating server device 40 transmits specific information including at least the user ID and the server ID of the specified server device 30, and the specific information receiving unit 107 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the specific information.

  The allowable range acquisition unit 108 acquires an allowable range of error for determining whether or not the user position information and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 are the same, for example, from the attendance management apparatus 20. The allowable range acquisition unit 108 passes the acquired allowable range of error to the determination unit 109. Here, the allowable range of error will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of an allowable range of errors. In the example of FIG. 12, when the “distance error” between the position information of the user and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, 0 m or more and 200 m or less, the “distance error” is For example, when the distance is greater than 200 m and equal to or less than 1000 m, the “distance error” indicates that an allowable range of error is set in three sections when the distance exceeds 1000 m, for example.

  The determination unit 109 determines whether or not the position information of the user and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 are within the allowable range with reference to the received allowable range of error. The determination unit 109 passes the determination result to the determination result storage control unit 110. Here, the determination result will be described with reference to FIG. Based on the error tolerance range described with reference to FIG. 12, the determination unit 109 determines which category of the tolerance range corresponds to the position information of the user and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10.

  In the example of FIG. 12, for example, when the “distance error” between the position information of the user and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, 0 m or more and 200 m or less, For example, when the “distance error” exceeds 200 m and is 1000 m or less, “Δ” is determined, and when the “distance error” exceeds 1000 m, for example, “x” is determined. Indicates to judge. Note that the determination result for the “distance error” can be arbitrarily set.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 13, a flow of comparing the position information of the user in the determination unit 109 with the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a flow of comparing the user position information with the position information of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 13, the personal authentication service 728 reads the IC card information and GPS position information of the smart device 81 with the IC card reader 16 connected to the image forming apparatus 10, and for example, when the user is authenticated. The authentication result is transmitted to the attendance management application 718. The attendance management application 718 reads installation position information of the image forming apparatus 10 from the HDD 124 and refers to, for example, an allowable range of errors acquired from the attendance management apparatus 20, and the position information of the user and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10. And compare. Then, the attendance management application 718 stores the comparison result in the HDD 124. For example, when the position information of the user matches the position information of the image forming apparatus 10, the attendance management application 718 stores the installation position information of the image forming apparatus 10 read from the HDD 124 in the HDD 124. When the position information of the forming apparatus 10 does not match, both the position information (GPS position information or address information) of the user and the position information (GPS position information or address information) of the image forming apparatus 10 are stored.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. The determination result storage control unit 110 performs control to store the result determined by the determination unit 109 in the first storage unit 111. Specifically, the determination result storage control unit 110 stores the position information of the user when the determination unit 109 determines that it is within the allowable range, and when the determination unit 109 determines that it is not within the allowable range, Control is performed to store both the user position information and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10. In addition, the determination result storage control unit 110 performs control to store, for example, “◯”, “Δ”, and “×” in the first storage unit 111 as a result of the determination by the determination unit 109.

  The first storage unit 111 stores first position information indicating the position where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed under the control of the position information storage control unit 102. Further, the first storage unit 111 controls the information storage control unit 105 for each user identification information, for example, the date and time when the authentication is completed, the user position information (GPS position information or address information), and the image forming apparatus. The attendance information that associates at least 10 pieces of position information (GPS position information or address information) is stored.

  In addition, the first storage unit 111 receives the position information (GPS position information or address information) of the user and the position information (GPS position information or address information) of the image forming apparatus 10 under the control of the determination result storage control unit 110. The result of determining whether or not it is within the allowable range is stored. Specifically, when the determination unit 109 determines that the first storage unit 111 is within the allowable range, the first storage unit 111 stores the user's position information (GPS position information or address information), and the determination unit 109 stores the allowable range. When it is determined that it is not within, both the position information (GPS position information or address information) of the user and the position information (GPS position information or address information) of the image forming apparatus 10 are stored, and as a result of the determination, for example, “○”, “△”, “×” are stored.

  That is, in the example of FIG. 12, when the first storage unit 111 determines that the allowable range of error is 0 m or more and 200 m or less “◯” and more than 200 m and “Δ” exceeds 200 m in the determination unit 109, Position information (GPS position information or address information) is stored, and if the determination unit 109 determines that “x” exceeds the allowable error range of 1000 m, the user position information (GPS position information or address information) and Both the position information (GPS position information or address information) of the image forming apparatus 10 is stored.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. For example, the display control unit 112 performs control to display the result determined by the determination unit 109 on the display unit (operation panel) 15. Further, the display control unit 112 performs control to display the above-described attendance information on the display unit (operation panel) 15 as attendance management information. Further, the display control unit 112 displays various information on the display unit (operation panel) 15 and receives an input of a user operation. Here, an example of the display of attendance management information will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. 14 and 15 are diagrams illustrating an example of the display of attendance management information. The display example illustrated in FIG. 14 is, for example, a display example for a user who is managed for work. As shown in FIG. 14, as a display example of the attendance management information for the user, for example, a user name, a user ID, and a password are associated with each other, and the date and time of office obtained from the date and time when the authentication is completed, and the user Office location (address information) obtained from the location information (GPS location information or address information), work location (location name), leaving date and time obtained from the date and time when the authentication is completed, and user location information (GPS location information) Alternatively, the location of leaving the office (address information) obtained from the address information) is associated with the work location (location name).

  In the example of FIG. 14, the user name “Suzuki A male”, the user ID “0001”, the password “ABC001”, the office date and time “2014/7/1 9:10”, the office location “Minato-ku, Tokyo” and the work location “ This indicates that the information is associated with the head office, the date and time of leaving office “2014/7/1 19:23”, the location of leaving office “Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture”, and the work location “A branch”. Also, the user name “Suzuki A male”, user ID “0001”, password “ABC001”, work date and time “2014/7/2 9:20”, work place “Minato-ku, Tokyo”, work place “Headquarters”, and resignation The date / time “2014/7/2 18:00”, the leaving location “Minato-ku, Tokyo” and the work location “Head Office” are associated with each other. In addition, the user name “Suzuki A male”, the user ID “0001”, the password “ABC001”, the company office date “2014/7/3 9:00”, the company office “Nagoya, Aichi”, and the office “B branch” The information indicates that the date / time of leaving office “2014/7/3 19:30”, the leaving place “Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture”, and the work place “B branch” are associated with each other.

  Further, the display example shown in FIG. 15 is a display example for an administrator who performs attendance management, for example. As shown in FIG. 15, as a display example of the attendance management information for the administrator, for example, a user name, a user ID, and a password are associated with each other. The company office location (address information) obtained from the user location information (GPS location information or address information), the work location (location name), the judgment result in the judgment unit 109, and the date and time of leaving the office obtained from the date and time when the authentication is completed. , The location of leaving the office (address information) obtained from the user's location information (GPS location information or address information), the work location (location name), and the determination result in the determination unit 109 are associated with each other. .

  In the example of FIG. 15, the user name “Suzuki A male”, the user ID “0001”, the password “ABC001”, the office date and time “2014/7/1 9:10”, the office location “Minato-ku, Tokyo” and the work location “ Information in which the head office ”, the judgment result“ O ”, the leaving date“ 2014/7/1 19:23 ”, the leaving office“ Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture ”, the work place“ A branch ”, and the judgment result“ O ”are associated with each other. It is shown that. Also, it is determined that the user name “Suzuki A male”, the user ID “0001”, the password “ABC001”, the work date and time “2014/7/2 9:20”, the work place “Minato-ku, Tokyo” and the work place “Head Office”. The result “○”, the leaving date “2014/7/2 18:00”, the leaving location “Minato-ku, Tokyo”, the work location “head office”, and the judgment result “○” are associated with each other. ing. In addition, the user name “Suzuki A male”, the user ID “0001”, the password “ABC001”, the company office date “2014/7/3 9:00”, the company office “Nagoya, Aichi”, and the office “B branch” Information indicating that the judgment result “△”, the leaving date and time “2014/7/3 19:30”, the leaving place “Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture”, the work place “B branch”, and the judgment result “×” are associated with each other. Is shown.

  Note that, as described in the first storage unit 111 described above, when the determination unit 109 determines that “x” exceeds the allowable error range of 1000 m, the position information of the user and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 are determined. For example, when the determination result “x” is clicked (pressed) on the operation panel (display unit) 15, the place of office (address information of the image forming apparatus 10) is displayed as shown in the display field 911. And the position information (address information) of the user specified from the GPS information of the smart device 81 acquired by the information acquisition unit 103 is displayed. Note that the display method of the user position information and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 can be arbitrarily set.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. The control unit 113 controls the entire image forming apparatus 10. In addition, the control unit 113 controls the processing of each functional unit described above.

  Next, the functional configuration of the attendance management device 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the attendance management device 20 includes a communication unit 201, an attendance information storage control unit 202, an allowable range storage control unit 203, a second storage unit 204, and a control unit 205. About each said part, all or some of these may be software (program), and may be a hardware circuit. Moreover, the form with which some of said each part is mounted in the attendance management apparatus 20 may be sufficient.

  The communication unit 201 communicates with the image forming apparatus 10, the server apparatus 30, and the linking server apparatus 40. For example, the communication unit 201 includes information indicating a user who is attending work, information indicating attendance and leaving, and a user position. Attendance information in which the position information 2 is associated with the first position information indicating the position where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed, authentication information used for user authentication, user identification information, and date and time when the authentication is completed. Including an authentication notification including information on an allowable range of errors for determining whether or not the position information of the user and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 are the same.

  The attendance information storage control unit 202 receives, for each user identification information received from the image forming apparatus 10, the date and time when the authentication is completed, the second position information indicating the position of the user, and the position where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed. Control that causes the second storage unit 204 to store attendance information that is associated with at least the first position information that is indicated is performed. The attendance information is the same as that described in the information storage control unit 105 described above with reference to FIG.

  The permissible range storage control unit 203 causes the second storage unit 204 to store in advance a permissible range of error for determining whether the user position information and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 are the same. Note that details of the allowable range of error are the same as those described in the above-described allowable range acquisition unit 108 with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the allowable range storage control unit 203 is configured to be included in the attendance management device 20, but is not limited thereto, and is not limited to this, and is included in any of the image forming device 10, the server device 30, and the tied server device 40. It can be set as the structure provided.

  Under the control of the attendance information storage control unit 202, the second storage unit 204 is provided with the second position information indicating the date and time when the authentication is completed and the position of the user and the image forming apparatus 10 for each user identification information. The attendance information associated with the first position information indicating the position is stored. The details of the attendance information are the same as the contents described in the information storage control unit 105 described above with reference to FIG. Further, the second storage unit 204 stores in advance an allowable error range for determining whether or not the position information of the user and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 are the same.

  The control unit 205 controls the entire attendance management device 20. In addition, the control unit 205 controls the processing of each functional unit as a whole.

  Next, the functional configuration of the server device 30 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the server device 30 includes a communication unit 301, an authentication information storage unit 302, a reception unit 303, an authentication unit 304, an authentication notification unit 305, and a control unit 306. About each said part, all or some of these may be software (program), and may be a hardware circuit. Moreover, the form mounted in the server apparatus 30 may be sufficient as some of said each part.

  The communication unit 301 communicates with the image forming apparatus 10, the attendance management apparatus 20, and the association server apparatus 40, and includes, for example, authentication information used for user authentication, user identification information, and authentication completion date and time. Send and receive etc.

  The authentication information storage unit 302 stores authentication information registered in advance. Specifically, the authentication information storage unit 302 stores a set of user identification information and a password in advance as authentication information.

  The receiving unit 303 receives authentication information used for user authentication as an authentication request from the image forming apparatus 10, including user identification information and a password, and passes the authentication information to the authentication unit 304.

  The authentication unit 304 authenticates the user when the authentication information registered in advance matches the received authentication information. Specifically, the authentication information registered in the authentication information storage unit 302 is, for example, a set of a user ID “0001” and a password “ABC001”, and the authentication information received from the image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, a user If the ID is “0001” and the password is “ABC001”, the authentication information matches, so the authentication unit 304 authenticates the user. Further, for example, a pair of user ID “0001” and a password “ABC001”, which is authentication information registered in advance, is received from the image forming apparatus 10, for example, a pair of a user ID “0002” and a password “ABC001”. If they do not match, the authentication unit 304 does not authenticate the user.

  After authenticating the user, the authentication notification unit 305 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 of an authentication notification including at least the user identification information and the date and time when the authentication is completed. Note that the authentication notification may further include a password.

  The control unit 306 controls the entire server device 30. In addition, the control unit 306 comprehensively controls the processing of each functional unit described above.

  In the present embodiment, the server device 30 has been described as having an authentication function for performing user authentication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the authentication function can be used for the image forming apparatus 10, the attendance management apparatus 20, and the linking server apparatus 40. It can be set as the structure with which either. When the authentication function is provided in any of the image forming apparatus 10, the attendance management apparatus 20, and the association server apparatus 40, the authentication information storage unit 302, the reception unit 303, the authentication unit 304, and the authentication notification unit 305 are A device having an authentication function is used.

  Next, the functional configuration of the linking server device 40 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the linking server device 40 includes a communication unit 401, a linking information storage unit 402, a specifying unit 403, a specifying information transmitting unit 404, and a control unit 405. About each said part, all or some of these may be software (program), and may be a hardware circuit. Moreover, the form mounted in the tied server apparatus 40 may be sufficient as some of said each part.

  The communication unit 401 communicates with the image forming apparatus 10, the attendance management apparatus 20, and the server apparatus 30. For example, user information for specifying the server apparatus 30 that performs user authentication, the specified server apparatus 30 and user identification information Specific information including (user ID) is transmitted and received.

  The association information storage unit 402 stores in advance association information that associates the server device 30 that performs user authentication for each piece of user identification information. Here, an example of the association information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the association information. As shown in FIG. 16, the association information includes a user name, a user ID, a password, a server name of the server device 30 that performs user authentication, and identification information (server ID) of the server device 30. Information. In the example of FIG. 16, the user name “Suzuki A male”, the user ID “0001”, the password “ABC001”, the server name “Server A”, and the server ID “192.168.100.200” are associated with each other. It shows that there is. Further, it indicates that the user name “Sato B male”, the user ID “0002”, the password “ABC002”, the server name “Server B”, and the server ID “192.168.100.201” are associated with each other. ing.

  Further, it indicates that the user name “Tanaka C male”, the user ID “0003”, the password “ABC003”, the server name “server C”, and the server ID “192.168.100.202” are associated with each other. ing. In addition, the user name “ITO D male”, the user ID “0004”, the password “ABC004”, the server name “server A”, and the server ID “192.168.100.200” are associated with each other. ing. In addition, although IP address was shown as an example as server ID, it is not restricted to this, What is necessary is just the information which identifies the server apparatus 30, and server ID is arbitrary.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. Based on the user identification information included in the user information received from the image forming apparatus 10, the specifying unit 403 refers to the association information stored in the association information storage unit 402 and requests user authentication. The server device 30 is specified and transferred to the specific information transmission unit 404. Specifically, for example, when the user identification information received from the image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, the user ID “0001”, the specifying unit 403 refers to the association information illustrated in FIG. The server name “Server A” is specified.

  The specific information transmitting unit 404 transmits specific information including the user identification information and the identification information of the server device 30 specified by the specifying unit 403 to the image forming apparatus 10. Specifically, when the specifying unit 403 described above specifies the user ID “0001” and the server name “server A”, the specifying information transmitting unit 404 refers to the association information illustrated in FIG. The specific information including “0001” and the server ID “192.168.100.200” is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10.

  Here, the flow of specifying the server device 30 that requests user authentication in the specifying unit 403 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a flow for specifying a server device. As shown in FIG. 17, first, the personal authentication service 728 reads the IC card information and the GPS position information of the smart device 81 with the IC card reader 16 connected to the image forming apparatus 10. The identification information (user ID) of the user is transmitted to 40 based on the user information included in the IC card information. Next, the specifying unit 403 of the linking server device 40 refers to the linking information associated with the server device 30 that performs user authentication for each user identification information stored in advance by itself, and The server device 30 that requests authentication is specified, and the specified server device 30 is transferred to the specific information transmission unit 404.

  The specific information transmission unit 404 transmits specific information including the user identification information and the identification information of the server device 30 specified by the specification unit 403 to the personal authentication service 728 of the image forming apparatus 10. The personal authentication service 728 of the image forming apparatus 10 requests user authentication from the server apparatus 30 included in the specific information. When the personal authentication service 728 receives an authentication notification indicating that the user has been authenticated, the personal management service 728 receives the user ID, the date and time when the authentication is completed, and the user location information (GPS location information or address information) from the attendance management application 718. hand over.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. The control unit 405 controls the entire linking server device 40. Further, the control unit 405 comprehensively controls the processing of each functional unit described above.

  In the present embodiment, the server device 40 has a function of specifying the server device 30 that requests user authentication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming device 10, the attendance management device 20, and the server device are not limited thereto. 30 may be provided. Note that when any one of the image forming apparatus 10, the attendance management apparatus 20, and the server apparatus 30 has a function of specifying the server apparatus 30 that requests user authentication, the above-described association information storage unit 402, identification unit 403, The specific information transmission unit 404 is configured to be included in a device having a function of specifying the server device 30 that requests user authentication.

  Next, the attendance management application 718 in the application module layer 751 and the personal authentication service 728 in the service module layer 752 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an attendance management application and a personal authentication service.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the personal authentication service 728 reads the IC card information and GPS position information of the smart device 81 with the IC card reader 16 connected to the image forming apparatus 10, for example, an authentication server (server device 30). Authentication information used for user authentication is transmitted based on the user information included in the IC card information. Specifically, the personal authentication service 728 transmits a set of user ID and password as authentication information to the authentication server (server device 30).

  The authentication server (server device 30) uses the authentication information transmitted from the personal authentication service 728 to authenticate the user when the previously registered authentication information matches the received authentication information. Then, after authenticating the user, the authentication server (server device 30) notifies the personal authentication service 728 of the image forming apparatus 10 of an authentication notification including the user ID and the date and time when the authentication is completed. The personal authentication service 728 determines that the user is a legitimate user from the authentication notification, and uses the attendance management application 718 of the image forming apparatus 10 based on the user ID, the date and time when the authentication is completed, and the user position information (GPS position information or address information). Send to.

  The attendance management application 718 reads the position information (GPS position information or address information) of the image forming apparatus 10 from the HDD 124, receives the user ID received from the personal authentication service 728, the date and time when the authentication is completed, and the user position information (GPS position). The time information associated with the information (address information or address information) and the position information (GPS position information or address information) of the image forming apparatus 10 is stored in the HDD 124 and the time information is transmitted to the time management apparatus 20.

  Here, transition of attendance information in the personal authentication service 728 and the attendance management application 718 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the transition of attendance information.

  As shown in FIG. 19, first, in the personal authentication service 901, the IC card reader 16 connected to the image forming apparatus 10 acquires the IC card information of the smart device 81 and the user position information (GPS position information). In this case, using the user information included in the IC card information, the user ID, password, and GPS position information are acquired as attendance information. Next, in the personal authentication service 902, when an authentication notification is acquired from the server device (authentication server) 30, the date and time when the authentication is completed is added as attendance information. Next, when the attendance management application 903 acquires position information (GPS position information or address information) of the image forming apparatus 10, installation position information (GPS position information or address information) of the image forming apparatus 10 is used as attendance information. Added. Thus, newly acquired information is added to the attendance information. Note that the transition of attendance information shown in FIG. 19 is an example, and items added to attendance information are arbitrary.

  Next, an example of the processing operation of the attendance management system 1 of the present embodiment will be described using FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing operation of the attendance management system of the present embodiment. First, the personal authentication service 728 of the image forming apparatus 10 stores first position information indicating the position where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed in advance in the first storage unit 111 (step S1).

  Next, the personal authentication service 728 determines whether or not user information including user identification information and second position information indicating the user position has been acquired (step S2). If user information has not been acquired (step S2: No), the determination is repeated. When the user information is acquired (step S2: Yes), the personal authentication service 728 transmits the authentication information including the user identification information and used for user authentication to the server device 30, for example, and sends an authentication request. Perform (step S3).

  For example, the personal authentication service 728 determines whether an authentication notification indicating that the user has been authenticated is received from the server device 30 (step S4). When the authentication notification has not been received (step S4: No), the personal authentication service 728 displays, for example, “error display” on the display unit (operation panel) 15 (step S5), and proceeds to step S2. Continue processing. When the authentication notification is received (step S4: Yes), the personal authentication service 728 transmits information including the authentication result and user information included in the authentication notification to the attendance management application 718 (step S6). Specifically, the personal authentication service 728 transmits information including the user ID, the date and time when the authentication is completed, and the user's position information (GPS position information or address information) to the attendance management application 718.

  Next, the attendance management application 718 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives information including the authentication result and user information (step S7). Next, the attendance management application 718 reads and acquires the position information (GPS position information or address information) of the image forming apparatus 10 stored therein, for example, from the HDD 124 (step S8). Next, the attendance management application 718, for each user identification information (user ID), for example, the date and time when the authentication is completed, the user position information (address information of the current position), and the position information (installation position) of the image forming apparatus 10 Attendance information associated with at least address information) is stored in the first storage unit 111 (step S9).

  Next, the attendance management application 718 transmits the attendance information stored in the first storage unit 111 to the attendance management apparatus 20 (step S10). And the attendance management apparatus 20 memorize | stores the received attendance information in the 2nd memory | storage part 204 (step S11), and complete | finishes a process.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the attendance management application 718 of the image forming apparatus 10 is executed, for example, user information including user identification information and user position information is acquired from the smart device 81. The server device 30 is requested to authenticate the user. When an authentication notification indicating that the user has been authenticated is received, attendance information that associates at least the date and time when the authentication is completed, the user position information, and the position information of the image forming apparatus 10 is stored for each user identification information. At the same time, the attendance information is transmitted to the attendance management device 20. The attendance management device 20 receives and stores attendance information, and manages attendance information of workers. Therefore, according to the attendance management system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve an advantageous effect that attendance management can be performed even when the worker is outside the normal working place.

  Although the embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  For example, the information storage control unit 105, the determination unit 109, the determination result storage control unit 110, the attendance information storage control unit 202, the allowable range storage control unit 203, the authentication information storage unit 302, the authentication unit 304, the authentication notification unit 305, The association information storage unit 402, the identification unit 403, and the identification information transmission unit 404 are distributed and installed in each of the image forming apparatus 10, the attendance management apparatus 20, the server apparatus 30, and the association server apparatus 40. Also good. Further, for example, the above-described information storage control unit 105, determination unit 109, determination result storage control unit 110, attendance information storage control unit 202, allowable range storage control unit 203, authentication information storage unit 302, authentication unit 304, authentication notification unit 305, the association information storage unit 402, the identification unit 403, and the identification information transmission unit 404 are the image forming apparatus 10, the attendance management apparatus 20, the server apparatus 30, the association server apparatus 40, and one or more external apparatuses (for example, other The server device may be distributed and mounted on each of the server devices.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the main body 60 and the operation unit 70 operate independently of each other with different operating systems. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the main body 60 and the operation unit 70 operate with the same operating system. It may be a form to do.

  The program executed in the attendance management system 1 of each embodiment described above is a file in an installable or executable format, such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD (Compact Disk), a CD-R (Compact Disk). -Recordable), CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), SD memory card (SD memory card), USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), etc. It may be configured to be provided, or may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Various programs may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The system configuration in which the image forming apparatus 10, the attendance management apparatus 20, the server apparatus 30, and the linking server apparatus 40 of the present embodiment are connected is an example, and various system configurations may be used depending on applications and purposes. It goes without saying that there are examples.

1 Attendance management system 10, 10a, 10b, 10c Image forming apparatus (MFP)
11 Controller 12 Scanner 13 Printer 14 Modem 15 Operation Panel (Display Unit)
16 IC card reader 17 Network interface (communication I / F)
18 SD card slot 20 Attendance management device 21 Input device 22 Display device 23 Drive device 24 RAM
25 ROM
26 CPU
27 Interface device 28 HDD
29 recording medium 30 server device 40 tied server device 50 communication network 51 system bus 60 main body 61 communication I / F
62 Connection I / F
63 System bus 70 Operation unit 71 CPU
72 ROM
73 RAM
74 Flash memory 75 Connection I / F
76 System bus 80 SD card 81 Smart device 101 Communication unit 102 Location information storage control unit 103 Information acquisition unit 104 Authentication request unit 105 Information storage control unit 106 Attendance information transmission unit 107 Specific information reception unit 108 Allowable range acquisition unit 109 Determination unit 110 Determination result storage control unit 111 First storage unit 112 Display control unit 113 Control unit 121 CPU
122 ROM
123 RAM
124 HDD
201 communication unit 202 attendance information storage control unit 203 allowable range storage control unit 204 second storage unit 205 control unit 301 communication unit 302 authentication information storage unit 303 reception unit 304 authentication unit 305 authentication notification unit 306 control unit 401 communication unit 402 string Additional information storage unit 403 Specific unit 404 Specific information transmission unit 405 Control unit 500 Communication path 601, 701 Application layer 602, 702 Service layer 603, 703 OS layer 711 NRS
712 Copy application 713 Fax application 714 Printer application 715 Scanner application 716 Net file application 717 Web application 718 Attendance management application 721 OCS
722 ECS
723 MCS
724 NCS
725 FCS
726 SCS
727 DCS
728 UCS (Personal Authentication Service)
731 SRM
732 General-purpose OS
733 IMH
734 Plotter / Scanner Engine 735 Other Hardware Source 741 GW-API-I / F
742 RAPI-I / F
751 Application module layer 752 Service module layer 753 SRM (system resource manager) layer 754 General-purpose OS layers 901 and 902 Personal authentication service 903 Attendance management application 911 Display column

JP 2005-189971 A

Claims (7)

A time management system in which an information processing device, a time management device for managing a user's time and a server device can communicate via a communication network,
A position information storage control unit for storing first position information indicating a position where the information processing apparatus is installed in a first storage unit;
An information acquisition unit for acquiring user information including identification information of the user and second position information indicating the position of the user;
An authentication request unit that includes the identification information of the user and transmits authentication information used for authentication of the user;
An authentication unit that authenticates the user when the transmitted authentication information and pre-registered authentication information match;
An authentication notification unit that notifies an authentication notification including the identification information of the user and the date and time when the authentication is completed when the user is authenticated;
When receiving the authentication notification, the attendance information transmitting unit that transmits the attendance information in which the date and time when the authentication is completed, the second position information, and the first position information are associated with each other, for each identification information of the user When,
An attendance information storage control unit that accepts the attendance information and stores it in the second storage unit,
A time management system characterized by that. For each of the user identification information, a linking information storage unit that stores linking information in which the identification information of the server device that performs authentication of the user is associated;
A specifying unit that specifies a server device that requests authentication of the user with reference to the association information based on the identification information of the user included in the user information;
The authentication request unit transmits the authentication information to the specified server device.
The attendance management system according to claim 1. A determination unit that determines whether the second position information and the first position information are within a preset allowable range;
When the determination unit determines that it is within the allowable range, the second position information is stored in the first storage unit, and when the determination unit determines that it is not within the allowable range, A determination result storage control unit that stores both the position information of 2 and the first position information in the first storage unit,
The attendance management system according to claim 1 or 2. A display control unit for causing the display unit to display a result determined by the determination unit;
The attendance management system according to claim 3. The location information storage control unit stores work location information in which the first location information is associated with a work location in the first storage unit in advance.
The attendance information storage control unit refers to the work location information, and for each user identification information, the attendance information in which the date and time when the authentication is completed and the work location are associated with each other is stored in the second storage unit. Remember,
The attendance management system according to claim 1 or 2. An attendance management method for an attendance management system in which an information processing apparatus, an attendance management apparatus for managing attendance of a user, and a server apparatus can communicate via a communication network,
A position information storage control step of storing, in the first storage unit, first position information indicating a position where the information processing apparatus is installed;
An information acquisition step of acquiring user information including identification information of the user and second position information indicating the position of the user;
An authentication request step that includes identification information of the user and transmits authentication information used for authentication of the user;
An authentication step of authenticating the user when the transmitted authentication information and pre-registered authentication information match;
An authentication notification step of notifying the authentication notification including the identification information of the user and the date and time when the authentication is completed when the user is authenticated;
When the authentication notification is received, the attendance information transmitting step of transmitting attendance information in which the date and time when the authentication is completed, the second position information, and the first position information are associated with each other, for each user identification information When,
Including the attendance information storage control step for receiving the attendance information and storing it in the second storage unit,
The attendance management method characterized by the above. In the information processing device,
A position information storage control step of storing in the first storage unit first position information indicating a position where the information processing apparatus is installed;
An information acquisition step of acquiring user information including user identification information and second position information indicating the position of the user;
An authentication request step that includes identification information of the user and transmits authentication information used for authentication of the user;
When the authentication notification including the user identification information and the date and time when the authentication is completed is received, the date and time when the authentication is completed, the second position information, and the first position information for each of the user identification information A time information transmission step for transmitting time information associated with
A program for running

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