JP2016146058A - Apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, a program and a storage medium which can enhance the convenience of a user.SOLUTION: An apparatus specifies application information corresponding to identification information on a user included in first authentication information used for authentication processing of the user on the basis of user information associating application information indicating whether or not to start up an application for each of the plurality of applications with identification information on the user, determines whether or not the application is started up for each application, starts up the first application when the application information on the first application determined that it is not started up indicates starting-up of the application, and stops starting-up of the second application when the application information on the second application determined that it is started up indicates no starting-up of the application.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a device, an information processing system, an information processing method, a program, and a storage medium.

  Conventionally, multiple applications developed by third-party vendors that can be installed on various devices including image forming devices such as printers, copiers, and multifunction peripherals (MFPs) are installed and activated. If performed, it is known that the operation of the multifunction peripheral becomes unstable due to a shortage of resources (memory capacity) necessary for operating the application.

  In order to solve the instability of the operation of the multifunction peripheral due to a shortage of resources, for example, there is a countermeasure method of restricting activation of some applications.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that can restrict activation of an application based on resource amount information that can be used in the image forming apparatus and a required resource amount that is required by the application to be activated. Has been. Since the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 performs activation restriction processing by comparing necessary resource information and usable resource information, it is possible to prevent activation of an application even when resources are insufficient. Thus, the stability of the system of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

  However, in the device described in Patent Document 1, when a plurality of users use a single device and the frequently used application is different for each user, and the activation of a specific application is restricted, the restriction is applied. There is a problem that a user who uses the specified application cannot be used.

  Therefore, when a plurality of users use different applications on the device, it is desirable that the application can be used even if there is an application whose activation is restricted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a device, an information processing system, an information processing method, a program, and a storage medium that can improve user convenience.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the device according to the present invention associates, for each of a plurality of applications, application information indicating whether to start the application and user identification information. A storage control unit that stores user information in a storage unit, and a specification that identifies the application information corresponding to the user identification information included in the first authentication information used for user authentication processing based on the user information The application information of the first application that is determined not to be activated, and the activation determination unit that determines whether the application is activated for each application , A first activation control unit for activating the first application, and determining that the first application is activated The application information of the second application is, to indicate that it does not start an application, characterized in that it comprises a second startup control unit stopping the activation of the second application.

  According to the present invention, there is an advantageous effect that convenience can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an application program stored in the HDD of the controller and each function of the CPU. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of authentication information. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of application information and user information. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a user ID stored in the ID card. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on the operation panel. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on the operation panel. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the device. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing operation of the device. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing operation of the device. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information processing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the server apparatus. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the device and the server device. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation of the information processing system.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a device, an information processing system, an information processing method, a program, and a storage medium 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.

  For each of a plurality of applications, the device according to the present embodiment stores, in the storage unit, user information in which application information indicating whether to start the application is associated with user identification information. Based on the user information, the device identifies application information corresponding to the user identification information included in the first authentication information used for the user authentication process. Then, the device determines whether or not the application is activated for each application, and when the application information of the first application determined not to be activated indicates that the application is activated, the first When the application information of the second application that is determined to be activated and activated is indicated not to activate the application, control to stop activation of the second application is performed. Thereby, when a plurality of users who use the device use different applications, even if there is an application whose activation is restricted, the application can be used.

  Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the device (image forming apparatus) of the present embodiment is realized as a part of the information processing system. A system to which the device of the present embodiment is applicable is not limited to such an information processing system. In the following, a case where the apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a multifunction peripheral (MFP) such as an image forming apparatus will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Note that a device main body such as an MFP is a multi-function peripheral that realizes two or more functions of a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function with a single casing. However, a device having any one function may be used as the MFP. In addition, the MFP in the present embodiment is an example of a device, not only an LP (Laser Printer) and an inkjet printer, but also a projector, a video conference system, an electronic blackboard, a digital camera, a tablet, a PC, a car navigation system, a network home appliance, a FAX device, Devices such as a digital copying machine and a scanner device may be used instead of the MFP.

  In the following, identification information for identifying a user who uses a device is also referred to as “user ID”, and identification information for identifying a device is also referred to as “device ID”. “Application” is also expressed as “application”. In the present embodiment, the device ID includes a model ID. In the present embodiment, “user” indicates a person who uses the device.

(First embodiment)
First, an example of the hardware configuration of the device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a device according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 is, for example, an MFP (image forming apparatus). 1 may be a device other than the MFP as described above. In FIG. 1, a device 10 includes a controller 1, an operation panel 2, a card interface (card I / F) 3, a scanner engine 4, a plotter engine 5, and a modem device (FAX modem) 6 for facsimile. Have. The device 10 includes a network interface (NWI / F) 7, a reader / writer unit (R / L) 8 that performs non-contact wireless communication, an ID card (IDentification: an example of an authentication device and a card-type storage medium) 9, have. The operation panel 2 and the R / L 8 are connected to the controller 1 via, for example, a PCI bus line (Peripheral Component Interconnect). The ID card 9 is an example of a card as an example of a medium used for user (user) identification. For this reason, the name itself may be called an IC card as described above, or may be another medium.

  The controller 1 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12. Further, the controller 1 includes a hard disk drive (HDD: an example of an authentication device) 13 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 14. The RAM 11 is a so-called work area, and is used, for example, for developing image data of an image to be printed. The RAM 11 is used for loading various application programs, for example. The RAM 11 is also used as a temporary storage area for data processed by each application program, for example. The ROM 12 stores a so-called OS (Operation System) program and various data that are executed when the device 10 of the present embodiment is activated. As will be described in detail later, various application programs and the like are stored in the HDD 13.

  The CPU 14 operates according to the OS stored in the ROM 12. Further, the CPU 14 loads an application program stored in the HDD 13 into the RAM 11 and executes it. In the case of the device 10 of this embodiment, the card information stored in the ID card 9 is stored in both the authentication application program that requires user authentication and the non-authentication application program that does not require user authentication. It has a “share mode” to share. In addition, the device according to this embodiment has an “individual mode” that performs user authentication for each authentication application program and permits use of card information stored in the ID card 9. CPU14 transfers to the mode selected by the user among share mode and individual mode, for example, and performs a process.

  The operation panel 2 is, for example, a display panel with a touch detection function in which a touch panel formed of a transparent electrode or the like is provided on a liquid crystal display panel. The user performs a touch operation on buttons and the like displayed on the liquid crystal display panel. The CPU 14 detects a command corresponding to a button or the like displayed at the contact operation location. The CPU 14 executes processing corresponding to the detected command.

  The card I / F 3 includes a mounting unit for the ID card 9 and a reader / writer unit that reads and writes card information with respect to the ID card 9 mounted on the mounting unit. The device 10 of this embodiment also has an R / L 8 that reads and writes information from and to the ID card 9 by non-contact wireless communication. Both the card I / F 3 and R / L 8 may be provided, or only one of them may be provided. The user normally performs user authentication or the like by using one of the card I / F 3 and R / L 8.

  The scanner engine 4 optically reads a document placed on a document reading table and generates image data. The plotter engine 5 prints an image by transferring a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum to a recording paper by an electrophotographic process method, for example. The FAX modem 6 receives a facsimile image transmitted via a telephone line and transmits a facsimile image via a telephone line.

  For example, the NWI / F 7 serves as an interface for connecting a server device or host computer device on a predetermined network to the device 10. The device 10 can acquire image data of an image to be printed from a host computer device or the like connected via the NWI / F 7. The R / L 8 performs contactless wireless communication with the user's ID card 9. The R / L 8 reads or writes various card information such as a card identification number (card ID) from the ID card 9.

  Next, an application program stored in the HDD 13 of the controller 1 and each function of the CPU 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an application program stored in the HDD of the controller and each function of the CPU. As shown in FIG. 2, the HDD 13 stores a copy application program (copy AP) 41 for controlling the scanner engine 4 and the plotter engine 5 to realize a copy function in the device 10. Further, the HDD 13 stores a scanner application program (scanner AP) 42 for controlling the scanner engine 4 and realizing the scanner function in the device 10. Further, the HDD 13 stores a facsimile application program (FAX AP) 43 for controlling the FAX modem 6 and realizing the facsimile function in the device 10. By such various application programs, the device 10 becomes a multifunction device (MFP) having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function even though it is the device 10 in one casing. ing.

  The HDD 13 also stores a user interface control program (UI CP) 44 for performing display control on the operation panel 2 and touch position detection control. In addition, the HDD 13 stores an information processing program 45 for the CPU 14 to execute information processing for controlling activation of an application described later.

  The information processing program 45 stored in the HDD 13 is a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM in an installable or executable format file to be executed by the device 10 of the first embodiment. Recorded and provided. The information processing program 45 is provided by being recorded on a computer-readable storage medium such as a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), various disk-shaped storage media, and a semiconductor memory. Further, the information processing program 45 may be downloaded from a server device on a network connected via the NWI / F 7 and stored in the HDD 13. Further, the information processing program 45 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The information processing program 45 may be an application program (SDK AP) 46 of a software development kit (SDK: Software Development Kit). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the SDK AP 46 may be stored in the HDD 13 and provided to other program developers such as a third party.

  Next, the CPU 14 functions as each functional unit shown in FIG. 2 by reading and executing the information processing program 45. That is, the CPU 14 reads and executes the information processing program 45 to thereby execute the R / L control unit 21, the storage control unit 22, the change unit 23, the reception control unit 24, the authentication unit 25, the identification unit 26, and the activation determination unit 27. The first activation control unit 28, the second activation control unit 29, and the display control unit 30 function. In addition, about each said part, these part or all can also be comprised with a hardware circuit.

  That is, the information processing program 45 is executed according to the setting on the platform, and causes each of the above functional units to function. In addition, an application activation process request is transmitted from a control service described later. For example, the platform manages a control service that interprets a processing request from an application and generates a hardware resource acquisition request and a plurality of hardware resources. The information processing program (application) 45 is executed when the platform performs transmission / reception with the application via the application program interface (API).

  The R / L control unit 21 controls the R / L 8 so as to perform contactless wireless communication with the ID card 9.

  The storage control unit 22 receives authentication information (second authentication information) used for user authentication processing under the control of the reception control unit 24 and stores it in the storage unit in advance. Specifically, for example, for each user who uses the device 10, the storage control unit 22 includes a set of user identification information and a password for identifying the user, and stores second authentication information used for user authentication processing. Control to be stored in the unit. That is, the storage control unit 22 causes the storage unit to store second authentication information including a set of a user ID and a password (password). Note that the storage unit is, for example, a storage medium such as the HDD 13.

  Here, the authentication information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of authentication information. As shown in FIG. 3, the authentication information is information including a pair of a user ID and a password for each user ID, for example. In the example of FIG. 3, the password of the user ID “0001” is “ABC1”, the password of the user ID “0002” is “ABC2”, the password of the user ID “0003” is “ABC3”, and the user ID The password “0004” indicates “ABC4”. The authentication information is not limited to a set of user ID and password, and can be arbitrarily set.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. For each of a plurality of applications, the storage control unit 22 stores, in the storage unit, user information in which application information indicating whether or not to start the application is associated with user identification information. Specifically, the storage control unit 22, for example, for the user who uses the device 10, for each of a plurality of applications, application information in which a setting for starting the application or a setting for not starting the application is associated with Control is performed to store the user information associated with the user ID in the storage unit. That is, an application set to “start” in the application information is an application used by the user, and an application set to “do not start” indicates an application that is not used by the user.

  Here, application information and user information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of application information and user information. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the application information associated with the user ID “0001” indicates that the application 1 used by the user is set to “start up”, the application 2 is set to “start up”, and the application n is “started up”. The app 3 that is not used by the user is a “do not start” setting. That is, the application information associated with the user with the user ID “0001” is a setting of “launching” the applications 1, 2 and n, and a setting of “not launching” the app 3. That is, the user with the user ID “0001” indicates that the user uses the application 1, the application 2, and the application n.

  Similarly, in the example of FIG. 4, the application information associated with the user with the user ID “0002” is set to “start” application 1 and application 3, and “do not start” application 2 and application n. It is a setting. That is, the user with the user ID “0002” is a user who uses the application 1 and the application 3.

  The application information associated with the user with the user ID “0003” is a setting of “starting” the application 3 and the application n, and a setting of “not starting” the application 1 and the application 2. That is, the user with the user ID “0003” indicates that the user uses the application 3 and the application n.

  In addition, the application information associated with the user with the user ID “0004” has a setting of “starting” the application 2 and a setting of “not starting” the application 1, the application 3, and the application n. That is, the user with the user ID “0004” indicates that the user uses the application 2.

  In addition, the storage control unit 22 stores predetermined application information for an application specified in advance in the user information. Specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, when “application n” is an authentication application that must be activated regardless of the user, for example, the storage control unit 22 relates to the user ID. First, control is performed so that all “application n activation settings” are set to “activate” and stored in the storage unit. In the example of FIG. 4, the “application n activation setting” of the application information associated with the user ID “0002” and the “application n activation setting” of the application information associated with the user ID “0004” are set to “not activated”. As described above, when “application n” is an authentication application, for example, the storage control unit 22 sets all “application n activation settings” associated with the user IDs “0002” and “0004”. Control to change to “activate” and store in the storage unit is performed.

  The change unit 23 changes user information. Specifically, the changing unit 23 changes and updates the user information stored in the storage unit by the storage control unit 22. That is, for example, the changing unit 23 changes application information in which a setting for starting the application or a setting for not starting the application is associated with each user for a plurality of applications. That is, the changing unit 23 can change the application set to “start” to “not start” in the application information, or change the application set to “do not start” to “start”.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. The acceptance control unit 24 accepts authentication information (first authentication information) used for the user authentication process input by the user. Specifically, for example, the reception control unit 24 receives first authentication information used for user authentication processing including a set of user identification information for identifying a user who uses the device 10 and a password, and the authentication unit 25 Pass to. That is, the reception control unit 24 receives first authentication information including a set of a user ID and a password, and passes it to the authentication unit 25. Since the first authentication information is the same as the second authentication information described with reference to FIG. 3, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a user ID stored in the ID card. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the reception control unit 24 sets the R / L 8 to acquire the user ID from the ID card 9 when the user ID that is the user identification information is stored in the ID card 9. Control. Next, the reception control unit 24 controls the operation panel 2 so as to obtain a password input by the user touching the operation panel 2. That is, the reception control unit 24 receives a user ID, which is user identification information, from the ID card 9 owned by the user, and then controls the operation panel 2 to display a screen for user authentication. Accept your password. Then, the first authentication information including the acquired set of user ID and password is transferred to the authentication unit 25.

  In addition, for example, the reception control unit 24 controls the operation panel 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 to display a user authentication screen, and the user inputs a user ID and a password from the operation panel 2. You may make it perform control which receives the 1st authentication information used for a user's authentication process.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. The authentication unit 25 authenticates the user as a regular user when the second authentication information stored in advance in the storage unit by the storage control unit 22 matches the first authentication information received by the reception control unit 24. To do. Specifically, the second authentication information including the user ID and password pair stored in advance in the storage unit is compared with the first authentication information including the acquired user ID and password pair. If so, the user is authenticated as a legitimate user.

  The specifying unit 26 specifies application information corresponding to the user identification information included in the first authentication information used for the user authentication process based on the user information. Specifically, the specifying unit 26 determines, for example, that the user using the device 10 is the user ID “0001” from the combination of the user ID and the password illustrated in FIG. Next, the specifying unit 26 specifies, for example, application information associated with the user ID “0001” from the user information illustrated in FIG. 4. That is, the specifying unit 26 specifies application information associated with the user with the user ID “0001”. Specifically, the specifying unit 26 specifies application information that is a setting of “starting up” the application 1, the application 2, and the application n and a setting of “not starting up” the application 3.

  The specifying unit 26 specifies application information after the authentication unit 25 authenticates the user.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. The activation determination unit 27 determines whether or not the application is activated for each application. Specifically, the activation determination unit 27 can determine whether the application is activated by confirming whether the application is executed on the platform or not.

  Furthermore, it is possible to determine whether or not an application is activated by the following method. For example, in general, in the case of the device 10 such as an MFP, applications such as copy, printer, scanner, and facsimile, which are unique to the MFP and are installed in advance in the MFP, are activated with activation settings. The activation setting refers to setting an installed application to be activated when the MFP is turned on. In other words, in the MFP, the application is not activated only by installing the application, and it is necessary to perform activation setting in order to activate it. Note that by performing the activation setting, information indicating that the application is to be activated is stored in the storage device (HDD 13 or the like) of the MFP. Then, when the MFP is turned on, the information is referred to and the application is activated. Therefore, the activation determination unit 27 determines whether or not the application is activated by confirming information (activation setting) stored in the storage device (such as the HDD 13) indicating that the application is activated. be able to.

  In addition, when the application is activated at any time, an application activation process request is transmitted from a control service described later. For example, the MFP includes hardware resources and a software group including a platform, an application, and a virtual application service (VAS). For example, the platform interprets a processing request from an application and generates a hardware resource acquisition request, and a system resource that manages one or a plurality of hardware resources and arbitrates the acquisition request from the control service. It has a manager (SRM) and a general-purpose OS.

  The control service is formed of, for example, a plurality of service modules, and includes SCS (system control service), ECS (engine control service), MCS (memory control service), OCS (operation panel control service), and FCS (fax). Control service) and NCS (network control service). Note that this platform has an application program interface (API) that enables a processing request to be received from an application using a predefined function.

  As described above, the MFP includes a plurality of applications and a plurality of control services, all of which operate as processes. Among the control services, an SCS (system control service) process performs, for example, application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, resource management, interrupt application control, and the like.

  Therefore, the activation determination unit 27 can determine whether the application is activated by referring to, for example, an SCS (system control service) process.

  The first activation control unit 28 activates the first application when the identified application information of the first application determined not activated by the activation determination unit 27 indicates that the application is activated. Take control. Specifically, in the first activation control unit 28, the activation determination unit 27 activates, for example, the first application (“application 1” used by the user with the user ID “0001” illustrated in FIG. 4). If it is determined that the start setting of the application 1 used by the user ID “0001” in the application information shown in FIG. 4 is “start up”, the first application (application 1) is displayed. Control to start.

  Similarly, the first activation control unit 28 uses the application information with the user ID “0001” when the activation determination unit 27 determines that the application 2 and the application n are not activated, for example. Since the activation settings of 2 and app n are “activate”, control to activate app 2 and app n is performed. The same applies to users with user IDs “0002” to “0004”.

  The second activation control unit 29, when the specified application information of the second application determined to be activated by the activation determination unit 27 indicates that the application is not activated, Performs control to stop startup. Specifically, the second activation control unit 29 is activated by the activation determination unit 27, for example, when the second application (“application 3” not used by the user with the user ID “0001” illustrated in FIG. 4) is activated. 4, since the activation setting of the application 3 that is not used by the user ID “0001” is “not activated” in the application information shown in FIG. 4, the second application (application 3) Performs control to stop startup. The same applies to users with user IDs “0002” to “0004”.

  When the application information specified by the specifying unit 26 indicates that the application is to be activated, the display control unit 30 performs control to display display information for selecting an application on the display unit. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the specifying unit 26 specifies application information associated with the user ID “0001” from the user information. That is, in the application information, for example, the activation settings of “application 1”, “application 2”, and “application 3” used by the user with the user ID “0001” are referred to. For example, “application 1” is “activated”. ”Setting,“ App 2 ”is a“ Start ”setting, and“ App 3 ”is a“ Do not start ”setting, so that“ App 1 ”and“ App 2 ”which are“ Start ”settings are displayed. Control to display information (icon) on the display unit is performed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on the operation panel. As described above, in the application information associated with the user ID “0001” shown in FIG. 4, the display control unit 30 sets “APPLICATION 1” and “APPLICATION 2” which are “START” settings as shown in FIG. 6. Display information (icon) for selecting "" is displayed on the display unit. In the example of FIG. 6, the display control unit 30 includes an icon for selecting a copy function, a printer function, and a fax function, and an icon for selecting “application 1” and “application 2”. An example displayed in FIG.

  In addition, the display control unit 30 selects a display mode of display information for selecting an application that is determined to be activated by the activation determination unit 27 and an application that is determined not to be activated by the activation determination unit 27. To control the display mode of the display information to be changed. Specifically, in the application information associated with the user ID “0001” of the user information illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, for “application 1” and “application 2” that are set to “activate”, activation determination is performed. Assume that the unit 27 determines that “application 1” is not activated and determines that “application 2” is activated. The display control unit 30 displays the display information (icon) of “application 1” determined to be not activated, and the display information (icon) of “application 2” determined to be activated. Control to make the difference. In the example of FIG. 6, the display mode of the display information (icon) of “application 1” determined not activated by the activation determination unit 27 is displayed with, for example, half luminance, and activated by the activation determination unit 27. For example, the display mode of the display information (icon) of “application 2” determined to be displayed with normal luminance is shown. In the example of FIG. 6, since each application specific to the copy, printer, and fax MFP is activated, it is displayed with normal luminance. In addition, a login user ID: 0001 that is a user using the device 10 is displayed at the lower left of the display unit of the operation panel 2.

  The display control unit 30 determines that the activation determination unit 27 determines that the application is not activated, and the activation determination unit 27 determines that the activation time of the application is equal to or less than a preset time. Display mode of display information for selecting an application determined to be activated, and display of display information for selecting the application determined to be not activated and not longer than the time The control which makes an aspect the same is performed. Specifically, as described above, for example, the activation determination unit 27 determines that “application 1” is not activated, and the activation time of “application 1” is equal to or less than a preset time (activation) Suppose that the time is determined to be short. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the display control unit 30 does not display the display mode of the display information (icon) of “application 1” with, for example, half luminance, but displays the display information (icon) of “application 2”. In the same manner as in the above display mode, the display is controlled with normal luminance.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on the operation panel. The display control unit 30 selects display information for selecting an application displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 2, and the activation determination unit 27 activates an application corresponding to the selected display information (icon). If it is determined that there is no application, control is performed to display a screen indicating that the application is being activated, and at the same time, the first activation control unit 28 performs control to activate the application. Specifically, the display control unit 30 refers to, for example, the activation settings of “application 1” and “application 2” used by the user with the user ID “0001” in the application information illustrated in FIG. Display information (icons) for selecting “APPLICATION 1” and “APPLICATION 2”, which is the “START” setting, is displayed on the display unit as shown in FIG. Next, when display information (icon) for selecting the displayed “application 1” is selected and the activation determination unit 27 determines that the selected “application 1” is not activated, the display control unit 30 performs control to display a screen indicating that the application is being activated, as shown in FIG. That is, the display control unit 30 displays the display mode of the display information (icon) for selecting “application 1” in half luminance, and the display information (icon) for selecting the displayed “application 1” is selected and selected. When it is determined that the “application 1” is not activated, control is performed to display a screen indicating that the application is being activated as illustrated in FIG. At this time, the first activation control unit 28 performs control to activate the application. The example of FIG. 7 is an example of a dialog display when display information (icon) for selecting “application 1” that has not been activated is selected. For example, a “cancel” icon is also displayed. It has become. In this example, when the “cancel” icon is selected, the dialog display disappears and other operations can be performed.

  In addition, the display control unit 30 determines that the application corresponding to the display information (icon) for selecting the displayed application is activated by the activation determination unit 27, and displays on the display unit of the operation panel 2. When the displayed display information (icon) is selected, control is performed to display an application screen corresponding to the displayed display information (icon). Specifically, as described above, “App 1” shown in FIG. 6 is a display mode (half luminance) when it is determined that it is not activated, and “App 2” is activated. This is the display mode (normal luminance) when the image is displayed. Here, when display information (icon) for selecting “application 2” is selected, the display control unit 30 performs control to display a screen of an application corresponding to the selected display information (icon). That is, control is performed to display the application screen of “application 2”.

  The functions described above are realized by the platform interpreting the processing request from the application and executing the function according to the setting on the platform. is there. In particular, the functions related to the activation determination unit 27, the first activation control unit 28, and the second activation control unit 29 are processed on the platform in response to a processing request from an application. In addition, about each said function part, some or all of these may be software (program), and these some or all may be a hardware circuit.

  Next, the processing operation of the device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The following are the processing operations that are performed when the user is authenticated. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the device.

  The device 10 receives the second authentication information used for the user authentication process and stores it in the storage unit in advance (step S1). Next, for each of a plurality of applications, the device 10 stores, in the storage unit, user information in which application information indicating whether or not to start the application is associated with user identification information (step S2). Next, the device 10 receives first authentication information used for authentication processing of the user input by the user (step S3). Next, the device 10 authenticates the user as a regular user when the second authentication information stored in advance in the storage unit matches the received first authentication information (step S4). Next, the device 10 specifies application information corresponding to the user identification information included in the first authentication information used for the user authentication process based on the user information stored in the storage unit (step S5). Next, the device 10 sets, for example, n = 1 indicating an application number (application n) (step S6). Next, the device 10 determines whether the application 1 (n = 1) is activated (step S7). When the application 1 is not activated (step S7: No), the device 10 refers to the application information corresponding to the user ID, and determines whether the setting of the application 1 is “activated” (step S8). ). When it is not “start” (step S8: No), the process proceeds to step S12. Returning to step S8, if it is “start” (step S8: Yes), the device 10 performs control to start the application 1 (step S9).

  Returning to step S7, when the application 1 is activated (step S7: Yes), the device 10 refers to the application information corresponding to the user ID, and determines whether the setting of the application 1 is “not activated”. Judgment is made (step S10). If it is not “not activated” (step S10: No), the process proceeds to step S12. If it is “not activated” (step S10: Yes), the device 10 performs control to stop activation of the application 1 (step S11).

  Next, the process proceeds to step S12, and the device 10 determines whether or not n = N (last number) indicating an application number (application n) (step S12). If n = N (last number) (step S12: Yes), the process is terminated. When it is not n = N (the last number) (step S12: No), the device 10 sets (n = n + 1) = 2 indicating the application number (application n) (step S13). Next, returning to step S7, steps S7 to S13 are repeated until n = N.

  By causing the device 10 to execute the above processing, an application that is not used by the user is not activated. Therefore, even when a plurality of users use different applications on the device 10, activation of the application is not limited, and the user is required. Advantageous effect that a simple application can be used.

  Next, the processing operation of the device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The following is a processing operation executed when displaying display information (icon) for selecting an application on the home screen. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing operation of the device. In addition, about the step similar to what was demonstrated using FIG. 8, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. Specifically, the contents of steps S1 to S6, steps S12, and S13 shown in FIG. 9 are the same as the contents of steps S1 to S6, steps S12, and S13 shown in FIG. Therefore, only the processing operations in steps S21 to S26 are different.

  For example, the device 10 sets n = 1 indicating an application number (application n) (step S6). Next, the device 10 refers to the application information corresponding to the user ID, and determines whether the setting of the application 1 is “start up” (step S21). If it is not “start” (step S21: No), the process proceeds to step S12. If it is “start” (step S21: Yes), the device 10 determines whether or not the application 1 (n = 1) is started (step S22). When the application 1 is activated (step S22: Yes), the device 10 displays display information (icon) for selecting the application 1 (step S23). At this time, since the application 1 has been activated, the display mode of the display information (icon) is controlled to be displayed with normal luminance. Next, the process proceeds to step S12.

  Returning to step S22, when the application 1 is not activated (step S22: No), the device 10 displays display information (icon) for selecting the application 1 (step S24). At this time, since the application is not activated but is being activated, the display mode of the display information (icon) is controlled so as to be displayed with half luminance. Next, the device 10 causes the application 1 to be activated (step S25).

  Next, the process proceeds to step S12, and the device 10 determines whether or not n = N (last number) indicating an application number (application n) (step S12). When n = N (last number) (step S12: Yes), the device 10 performs control to display the home screen on the display unit of the operation panel 2 (step S26). Then, the process ends.

  Next, the processing operation of the device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The following is executed when displaying the display information (icon) for selecting an application on the home screen when it is determined that the application is not activated and the activation time of the application is equal to or less than a preset time. Processing operations to be performed. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing operation of the device. In addition, about the step similar to what was demonstrated using FIG. 9, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. Specifically, the contents of steps S1 to S6, steps S12 and S13, and steps S21 to S26 shown in FIG. 10 are the same as those in steps S1 to S6, steps S12, S13, and steps S21 to S26 shown in FIG. It is the same as the contents. Therefore, only the processing operation of step S31 is different.

  The device 10 determines whether the application 1 (n = 1) is activated (step S22). When the application 1 is not activated (step S22: No), the device 10 determines whether or not the activation time of the application 1 is equal to or less than the set time (step S31). If it is less than the set time (step S31: Yes), the process proceeds to step S23, and the device 10 displays display information (icon) for selecting the application 1 (step S23). At this time, since the application 1 has been activated, the display mode of the display information (icon) is controlled to be displayed with normal luminance.

  If it is not less than the set time (step S31: No), the device 10 displays display information (icon) for selecting the application 1 (step S24). At this time, since the application is not activated but is being activated, the display mode of the display information (icon) is controlled so as to be displayed with half luminance.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the information processing system 100 is a system including the device 10 and the server device 50. This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information processing system according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment is omitted as appropriate.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, the information processing system 100 includes a device 10 and a server device 50. The NWI / F 7 of the device 10 is an interface for connecting the server device 50 on the predetermined network 60 and the device 10, for example. The device 10 can acquire various types of data from the server device 50 connected via the NWI / F 7. 11 illustrates the case where the number of the devices 10 and the server devices 50 is one, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of the devices 10 and the server devices 50 is arbitrary.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the server device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the server apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the server device 50 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, a drive device 503, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 504, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) connected to the system bus 120. 505, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 506, an interface device 507, and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 508. A recording medium 509 is connected to the drive device 503.

  The input device 501 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and the like, and is a user interface that receives various user operation instructions. The input device 501 is an input interface for inputting each operation signal and various data to the server device 50. As the input device 501, for example, a touch panel or a voice input device can be used as the input device 501.

  The display device 502 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like by a program. The display device 502 includes, for example, a display that displays an image and the like, and displays a processing result by the server device 50 and the like. The display is, for example, an FPD (Flat Panel Display) such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL.

  The drive device 503 is an interface with a removable recording medium 509. The server device 50 can read and / or write the recording medium 509 via the drive device 503. Examples of the recording medium 509 include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD memory card (SD memory card), a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), and the like.

  The RAM 504 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores various programs and data. The RAM 504 is also a memory used by the CPU 506 during data processing. Note that SDRAM, DRAM, SRAM, or the like may be used instead of the RAM 504.

  The ROM 505 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain internal data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 505 stores programs and data such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), information processing system settings, and network settings that are executed when the server device 50 is started up.

  The CPU 506 comprehensively controls the operation of the server device 50. The CPU 506 reads the programs and data stored in the ROM 505 and the HDD 508 onto a RAM (memory) 504 and executes processing to control the overall operation of the server device 50. Further, the CPU 506 realizes various functions.

  The interface device 507 is an interface for connecting to the network 60. The interface device 507 is an interface for communicating with the device 10. Thereby, the server device 50 performs data communication with the device 10 via the interface device 507.

  The HDD 508 is a non-volatile storage device that stores various programs and data executed by the server device 50. The HDD 508 stores programs and data necessary for realizing various functions of the server device 50. The stored programs and data include an information processing system that controls the entire server device 50 (for example, an OS (Operating System) that is basic software such as “Windows (registered trademark)” and “UNIX (registered trademark))”, and There are applications that provide various functions on the system. The HDD 508 manages the stored programs and data by a predetermined file system and / or DB (Data Base).

  Note that the above-described program for the server device 50 is a file in an installable or executable format, and may be recorded and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a recording medium.

  Next, functions of the device 10 and the server device 50 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the device and the server device. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to FIG. 2 of 1st Embodiment mentioned above, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably about the same structure.

  In 2nd Embodiment, the apparatus 10 is further provided with the acquisition part 31 and the communication part 32, and the server apparatus 50 differs in the structure provided with the communication part 51 and the memory | storage part 52 only. Therefore, in the second embodiment, functions, configurations, and processes other than the acquisition unit 31 and the communication unit 32 of the device 10 described below are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  First, the device 10 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the device 10 further includes an acquisition unit 31 and a communication unit 32.

  The acquisition unit 31 acquires the application (program) from the server device 50 when the application information specified by the specification unit 26 indicates that the application is to be activated. Specifically, the specifying unit 26 determines, for example, that the user using the device 10 is the user ID “0001” from the combination of the user ID and the password illustrated in FIG. Next, the specifying unit 26 specifies, for example, application information associated with the user ID “0001” from the user information illustrated in FIG. 4. That is, the specifying unit 26 specifies application information associated with the user with the user ID “0001”. Specifically, the specifying unit 26 specifies application information that is a setting of “starting up” the application 1, the application 2, and the application n and a setting of “not starting up” the application 3. In this case, since the identified “application 1 activation setting”, “application 2 activation setting”, and “application n activation setting” are “activated”, the acquisition unit 31 performs “application 1”, “application 2”, and Each application (program) of “application n” is acquired from the server device 50.

  The communication unit 32 communicates with the server device 50 via the network 60. The communication unit 32 transmits and receives various data via the server device 50 and the network 60. Specifically, the communication unit 32 transmits an acquisition request for a plurality of applications (programs) stored in the server device 50, and receives and acquires an application (program) that is a response to the acquisition request.

  Next, the server device 50 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the server device 50 includes a communication unit 51 and a storage unit 52.

  The communication unit 51 communicates with the device 10 via the network 60. The communication unit 51 transmits and receives various data via the device 10 and the network 60. Specifically, the communication unit 51 receives an acquisition request for a plurality of applications (programs) stored in the server device 50 from the device 10 and sends an application (program) that is a response to the acquisition request to the device 10. Send.

  The storage unit 52 stores a plurality of applications (programs).

  Next, the processing operation of the information processing system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation of the information processing system.

  The device 10 receives the second authentication information used for the user authentication process and stores it in the storage unit in advance (step S1). Next, for each of a plurality of applications, the device 10 stores, in the storage unit, user information in which application information indicating whether or not to start the application is associated with user identification information (step S2). Next, the device 10 receives first authentication information used for authentication processing of the user input by the user (step S3). Next, the device 10 authenticates the user as a regular user when the second authentication information stored in advance in the storage unit matches the received first authentication information (step S4). Next, the device 10 specifies application information corresponding to the user identification information included in the first authentication information used for the user authentication process based on the user information stored in the storage unit (step S5).

  Based on the identified application information, the device 10 acquires an application (program) from the server device 50 for the “application” whose “application activation setting” is set to “activate” (step S41).

  Next, the device 10 sets, for example, n = 1 indicating an application number (application n) (step S6). Next, the device 10 determines whether the application 1 (n = 1) is activated (step S7). When the application 1 is not activated (step S7: No), the device 10 refers to the application information corresponding to the user ID, and determines whether the setting of the application 1 is “activated” (step S8). ). When it is not “start” (step S8: No), the process proceeds to step S12. Returning to step S8, if it is “start” (step S8: Yes), the device 10 performs control to start the application 1 (step S9).

  Returning to step S7, when the application 1 is activated (step S7: Yes), the device 10 refers to the application information corresponding to the user ID, and determines whether the setting of the application 1 is “not activated”. Judgment is made (step S10). If it is not “not activated” (step S10: No), the process proceeds to step S12. If it is “not activated” (step S10: Yes), the device 10 performs control to stop activation of the application 1 (step S11).

  Next, the process proceeds to step S12, and the device 10 determines whether or not n = N (last number) indicating an application number (application n) (step S12). If n = N (last number) (step S12: Yes), the process is terminated. When it is not n = N (the last number) (step S12: No), the device 10 sets (n = n + 1) = 2 indicating the application number (application n) (step S13). Next, returning to step S7, steps S7 to S13 are repeated until n = N.

  By causing the information processing system 100 to execute the above processing, the device 10 acquires the application used by the user from the server device 50 and installs it in the device 10, for example, so that the application not used by the user is not activated. Even when a plurality of users use different applications on the device 10, it is possible to achieve an advantageous effect that the user can use a necessary application without restricting the activation of the application.

  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.

  The programs executed by the device 10 and the information processing system 100 according to each embodiment described above are files in an installable format or an executable format, and are CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD ( It may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a digital versatile disk (USB) or a universal serial bus (USB), or may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Also good. Various programs may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  It should be noted that the system configuration in which the device 10 of the present embodiment and the server device 50 are connected is an example, and it goes without saying that there are various system configuration examples depending on applications and purposes.

1 Controller 2 Operation panel 3 Card I / F
4 Scanner Engine 5 Plotter Engine 6 FAX Modem 7 NW I / F
8 R / L
9 ID card 10 Device 11 RAM
12 ROM
13 HDD
14 CPU
21 R / L control unit 22 Storage control unit 23 Change unit 24 Reception control unit 25 Authentication unit 26 Identification unit 27 Activation determination unit 28 First activation control unit 29 Second activation control unit 30 Display control unit 31 Acquisition unit 32 Communication Part 41 Copy AP
42 Scanner AP
43 FAX AP
44 UI CP
45 Information processing program 46 SDK AP
50 Server device 51 Communication unit 52 Storage unit 60 Network 501 Input device 502 Display device 503 Drive device 504 RAM
505 ROM
506 CPU
507 Interface device 508 HDD
509 recording medium

JP 2004-122773 A

Claims (16)

A storage control unit that stores, in the storage unit, user information in which application information indicating whether to start the application and user identification information is associated with each of a plurality of applications;
Based on the user information, a specifying unit that specifies the application information corresponding to the user identification information included in the first authentication information used for user authentication processing;
An activation determination unit for determining whether the application is activated for each application;
A first activation control unit that activates the first application when the identified application information of the first application determined not activated indicates that the application is activated;
A second activation control unit for stopping activation of the second application, when the identified application information of the second application determined to be activated indicates that the application is not activated;
A device characterized by comprising: An acceptance control unit that receives first authentication information used for authentication processing of the user input by the user;
An authentication unit that performs an authentication process based on the first authentication information,
The specifying unit specifies the application information after the user is authenticated by the authentication unit.
The device according to claim 1. When the application information specified by the specifying unit indicates that an application is to be activated, the display control unit further displays display information for selecting the application on a display unit.
The device according to claim 1. The display control unit selects a display mode of display information for selecting the application that is determined to be activated by the activation determination unit, and the application that is determined not to be activated by the activation determination unit To control the display mode of the display information to be different,
The device according to claim 3. When the activation determination unit determines that the application is not activated and the activation time of the application is equal to or less than a preset time,
The display control unit determines a display mode of display information for selecting the application determined to be activated by the activation determination unit, is determined not to be activated, and is determined to be equal to or less than the time. Control to make the display mode of the display information for selecting the application the same,
The device according to claim 4. In the activation determination unit, it is determined that the application corresponding to the displayed display information is activated,
When the display information displayed on the display unit is selected,
The display control unit performs control to display a screen of the application corresponding to the displayed display information.
The device according to claim 3. When the display information displayed on the display unit is selected, and the activation determination unit determines that the application corresponding to the selected display information is not activated,
The display control unit performs control to display a screen indicating that the application is being activated,
The first activation control unit activates the application;
The device according to claim 3. The storage control unit stores the predetermined application information for a predetermined application of the user information,
The device according to claim 1. A change unit for changing the user information;
The device according to claim 1. A device that executes multiple applications on the platform according to the settings.
A storage control unit that stores, in the storage unit, user information in which application information indicating whether to start the application and user identification information is associated with each of a plurality of applications;
Based on the user information, a specifying unit that specifies the application information corresponding to the user identification information included in the first authentication information used for user authentication processing;
An activation determination unit for determining whether the application is activated for each application;
When the application information of the first application that is determined not to be activated by the activation determination unit based on the identified application information indicates that the application is to be activated, the first application is activated. When the application information of the second application that is determined to be activated by the activation determination unit indicates that the application is not activated, a platform that performs processing for stopping activation of the second application, Prepare
Equipment characterized by that. An information processing system including a device and a server device,
The equipment is
A storage control unit that stores, in the storage unit, user information in which application information indicating whether to start the application and user identification information is associated with each of a plurality of applications;
Based on the user information, a specifying unit that specifies the application information corresponding to the user identification information included in the first authentication information used for user authentication processing;
When the identified application information indicates that an application is to be activated, an acquisition unit that acquires the application from the server device;
An activation determination unit for determining whether the application is activated for each application;
A first activation control unit that activates the first application when the identified application information of the first application determined not activated indicates that the application is activated;
A second activation control unit that stops activation of the second application when the identified application information of the second application determined to be activated indicates that the application is not activated; ,
The server device
A storage unit for storing a plurality of the applications;
An information processing system characterized by this. The equipment is
An acceptance control unit that receives first authentication information used for authentication processing of the user input by the user;
An authentication unit that performs an authentication process based on the first authentication information,
The specifying unit specifies the application information after the user is authenticated by the authentication unit.
The information processing system according to claim 11. An information processing method for an information processing system including a device and a server device,
A storage step for storing a plurality of applications;
A storage control step of storing, in the storage unit, user information in which application information indicating whether to start the application for each of a plurality of applications and user identification information are associated;
An acceptance control step of receiving first authentication information used for authentication processing of the user input by the user;
An authentication step for performing an authentication process based on the first authentication information;
A specifying step of specifying the application information corresponding to the identification information of the user included in the first authentication information based on the user information;
When the identified application information indicates that an application is to be activated, an acquisition step of acquiring the application from the server device;
An activation determination step for determining whether the application is activated for each application;
A first activation control step of activating the first application when the identified application information of the first application determined not to be activated indicates that the application is activated;
A second activation control step for stopping activation of the second application when the specified application information of the second application determined to be activated indicates that the application is not activated. ,
An information processing method characterized by the above. In the information processing device,
A storage control step of storing, in the storage unit, user information in which application information indicating whether to start the application for each of a plurality of applications and user identification information are associated;
An acceptance control step of receiving first authentication information used for authentication processing of the user input by the user;
An authentication step for performing an authentication process based on the first authentication information;
A specifying step of specifying the application information corresponding to the identification information of the user included in the first authentication information based on the user information;
An activation determination step for determining whether the application is activated for each application;
A first activation control step of activating the first application when the identified application information of the first application determined not to be activated indicates that the application is activated;
A second activation control step for stopping the activation of the second application when the specified application information of the second application determined to be activated indicates that the application is not activated;
A program for running An acquisition step of acquiring the application from the server device when the application information specified in the specifying step indicates that the application is to be activated;
The program according to claim 14.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 14 or 15.

Images