JP2016225824A - Information processing system, information processing device, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save energy while reducing a wait time for recovering from an energy-saving mode.SOLUTION: In an information processing system provided with an information processing device, an operation unit, and an execution unit, the information processing device includes: a user authentication management DB that stores user authentication information; first identification information acquisition unit that obtains user identification information by first radio communication; a first authentication processing unit that determines whether or not the user identification information obtained by the first identification information acquisition unit is included in the user authentication information; and a power source control unit. The operation unit includes: a second identification information acquisition unit that obtains user identification information by second radio communication; and a second authentication processing unit that determines whether or not the user identification information obtained by the second identification information acquisition unit is included in information for authenticating a user. The power source control unit starts the second authentication processing unit if it is determined by the first authentication processing unit that the user identification information is included; and starts the execution unit if it is determined by the second authentication processing unit that the user identification information is included.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system.

  Since the image forming apparatus starts up the devices constituting the image forming apparatus that has been cut off from the power supply when returning from the energy saving mode, a waiting time occurs.

  Regarding an operation of returning from the energy saving mode of the image forming apparatus, a technique for preventing unnecessary return by returning from the energy saving mode when a user who approaches during the energy saving mode is registered is known (for example, patents). Reference 1).

  In the conventional image forming apparatus, when the user detected during the energy saving mode is highly likely to use the image forming apparatus, a process for returning from the energy saving mode is started in advance, and a waiting time for returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode is started. It is shortened. Therefore, when it is determined that the user is likely to use the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus returns from the energy saving mode to the normal mode even when the user does not actually use the image forming apparatus. To do.

  The case of the image forming apparatus has been described so far. However, not only the image forming apparatus but also an information processing apparatus such as an image processing apparatus as a main body and an information processing apparatus as an operation unit exist. There's a problem.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to save energy while shortening the waiting time for returning from the energy saving mode in an information processing system having the energy saving mode.

An information processing system according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes:
An information processing system including an information processing device, an operation unit that receives an operation on the information processing device, and an execution unit that executes a process instructed by a user,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A database for storing information for authenticating a user who is permitted to use the information processing system;
A first identification information acquisition unit that acquires information for identifying a user through first wireless communication;
A first authentication processing unit that determines that user authentication is successful when information identifying the user acquired by the first identification information acquisition unit is included in the database;
A power control unit, and
The operation unit is
A second identification information acquisition unit for acquiring information for identifying the user by the second wireless communication;
A second authentication processing unit that determines that the user authentication is successful when the database includes information identifying the user acquired by the second identification information acquisition unit, and
The power control unit
When it is determined by the first authentication processing unit that the user has been successfully authenticated, at least the second identification information acquisition unit and the second authentication processing unit are activated,
When the second authentication processing unit determines that user authentication is successful, the execution unit is activated.

  According to the disclosed embodiment, in an information processing system having an energy saving mode, energy saving can be achieved while shortening the waiting time for returning from the energy saving mode.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus system according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example (the 1) of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example (the 2) of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the energy saving mode of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the electric power control in each energy saving mode and normal mode. It is a sequence chart which shows operation | movement (the 1) of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a sequence chart which shows the operation | movement (the 2) of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a sequence chart which shows the operation | movement (the 3) of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a sequence chart which shows operation | movement (the 4) of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment.

Next, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings based on the following Examples. Examples described below are merely examples, and embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the following examples.
In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for those having the same function, and repeated explanation is omitted.

<Image processing system>
FIG. 1 shows an image processing system according to the present embodiment.

  The image processing system includes an image processing apparatus 100 and an IC card 500. An example of the image processing apparatus 100 is a printer, a scanner, a copier, a facsimile, and an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having these functions. In addition to printing, the image processing apparatus 100 can also be applied to apparatuses such as a projector and an electronic blackboard apparatus having a function of forming an image such as projection and display.

  The image processing apparatus 100 is connected to the server 600 via the communication network 50. The communication network 50 is not particularly limited, but a LAN (Local Area Network), a VPN (Virtual Private Network), a VPN using a transaction protocol such as Ethernet (registered trademark), TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), or the like. A WAN (Wide Area Network) connected using a dedicated line can be used.

  The IC card 500 contains an RF tag and an IC chip, and information is recorded on the RF tag and the IC chip. An example of information recorded on the RF tag and IC chip of the IC card 500 is information for identifying a user carrying the IC card 500 (hereinafter referred to as “identification information”).

  The image processing apparatus 100 receives the identification information of the user stored in the RF tag of the IC card 500 by performing short-range wireless communication with the IC card 500. The image processing apparatus 100 stores identification information of users who are permitted to use the image processing apparatus 100. Then, the image processing apparatus 100 processes the data received from the IC card 500 by executing the program. Specifically, when the user carrying the IC card 500 passes through the vicinity of the image processing apparatus 100 in the energy saving mode, the image processing apparatus 100 receives the identification information of the user recorded on the RF tag of the IC card 500. To do. Here, the energy saving mode refers to a state in which an operation for suppressing power consumption is performed by restricting the operation of some of the elements constituting the image processing apparatus 100. In contrast, a state in which all of the elements constituting the image processing apparatus 100 are operating is referred to as a normal mode. When the image processing apparatus 100 receives the user identification information recorded on the RF tag of the IC card 500, is the user registered by the user carrying the IC card 500 out of a plurality of devices constituting the image processing apparatus 100? A process for returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode is started by activating some devices that execute the process of determining whether or not.

  When the part of the device returns to the normal mode, the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether the received user identification information is registered, so that the user carrying the IC card 500 can It is determined whether or not use is permitted. The image processing apparatus 100 determines that the user authentication is successful when the received user identification information is registered, and determines that the user carrying the IC card 500 is permitted to use the image processing apparatus 100. To do. The user who carries the IC card 500 among a plurality of devices constituting the image processing apparatus 100 activates a part of the devices that execute processing for determining whether or not to use the image processing apparatus 100, thereby starting from the energy saving mode. The process to return to the normal mode is started. Further, when it is determined that the user carrying the IC card 500 is permitted to use the image processing apparatus 100, the image processing apparatus 100 caches identification information that matches the identification information of the user.

  Further, by holding the IC card 500 over the image processing apparatus 100, the image processing apparatus 100 can read the user identification information stored in the IC chip of the IC card 500. When the partial device returns to the normal mode, the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not the user carrying the IC card 500 actually uses the image processing apparatus 100 based on the identification information of the user. . When the cached identification information matches the user identification information read from the IC chip of the IC card 500, the image processing apparatus 100 determines that the user authentication is successful, and the user carrying the IC card 500 actually It is determined that the image processing apparatus 100 is used. When the user who carries the IC card 500 determines that the image processing apparatus 100 is actually used, the image processing apparatus 100 starts from the energy saving mode by activating any of the functions of the printer, scanner, copier, and facsimile. Start the process to return. The printer, the scanner, the copier, and the facsimile execute processing instructed by the user.

<Hardware Configuration of Image Processing Apparatus 100>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus 100 is independent from the controller 200, which is a main control unit that manages device states and controls jobs, an engine 300 that executes functions such as a printer, a FAX apparatus, a scanner apparatus, and a copier. And an operation unit 400 that controls the screen display and provides a user interface. The controller 200 is connected to the operation unit 400 through a wired interface such as a cable 510.

  In the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the OS (Operating System) software on the controller 200 side and the OS software on the operation unit 400 side are different from each other in order to maintain the independence of functions. That is, the controller 200 and the operation unit 400 operate independently of each other with different operating systems. For example, Linux (registered trademark) can be used as the OS software on the controller 200 side, and Android (registered trademark) can be used as the OS software on the operation unit 400 side. The controller 200 and the operation unit 400 can communicate with each other by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection.

  In the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the controller 200 and the operation unit 400 operate on different operating systems, and therefore communication between the controller 200 and the operation unit 400 is not inter-process communication within a common apparatus. Is performed as communication between different devices. An operation (command communication) for transmitting information (instruction content from the user) received by the operation unit 400 to the controller 200, an operation for the controller 200 notifying the operation unit 400 of an event, and the like correspond to this. When the operation unit 400 performs command communication with the controller 200, the functions of the controller 200 can be used. The contents of information notified from the controller 200 to the operation unit 400 include the execution status of the operation in the controller 200, the contents set by the controller 200, and the like.

  The controller 200 includes a CPU 202, a program ROM (Read Only Memory) 204, a network I / F (Interface) 206, an HDD (Hard disk drive) 208, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 210, a nonvolatile memory 212, and an operation unit I / F 214. A plurality of devices such as an engine I / F 216 and a tag reader 218.

  The CPU 202 performs main operations such as power management and job control in the controller 200. The program ROM 204 stores a controller program related to the operation of the controller 200. The network I / F 206 performs communication with the external communication network 50. The HDD 208 stores information used when authenticating a user such as a user authentication management DB described later. The RAM 210 is an area for executing a program, and is used for developing an image to be printed. The nonvolatile memory 212 is used for storing accumulated document data and storing data necessary for developing image images. The operation unit I / F 214 performs communication with the operation unit 400. Engine I / F 216 communicates with engine 300. The tag reader 218 reads identification information of the user carrying the IC card 500 from the RF tag of the IC card 500.

  The operation unit 400 includes a plurality of devices such as a CPU 402, a program ROM 404, a controller I / F 414, a RAM 410, a nonvolatile memory 412, a display unit 416, and a card reader 418.

  The CPU 402 performs main control such as processing related to operations in the operation unit 400. The program ROM 404 stores an operation unit program related to the operation of the operation unit 400. The controller I / F 414 communicates with the controller 200. The RAM 410 is used as an area for executing a program. The nonvolatile memory 412 stores initial values of various setting values used when the controller 200 is activated and items that can be set. The display unit 416 is configured by an electronic component that combines a display device such as a liquid crystal panel and a device that inputs a position such as a touch pad, and displays a screen to the user and the display on the screen is pressed. The operation performed by etc. is received. The card reader 418 reads identification information of a user carrying the IC card 500 from the IC chip of the IC card 500.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus 100. In the image processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 2, the operation unit 400 is connected to the controller 200 in a wired manner, and the controller 200, the engine 300, and the operation unit 400 are integrated as the image processing apparatus 100. In the example of FIG. 3, the operation unit I / F 214 of the controller 200 and the controller I / F 414 of the operation unit 400 are wirelessly connected. That is, the image processing apparatus main body 101 including the controller 200 and the engine 300 and the operation unit 400 are configured separately.

  By connecting the operation unit 400 and the image processing apparatus main body 101 wirelessly, the operation unit 400 can be used regardless of the place. The operation unit 400 directly receives an activation request from the user and operates independently of the controller 200 of the image processing apparatus main body 101. Since the screen control of the operation unit 400 and the connection process between the controller 200 are asynchronously performed in parallel, the screen can be operated without being affected by the state of the controller 200.

  Note that the operation unit 400 can be configured as an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet-type terminal, and can execute complete information processing independently. That is, the operation unit 400 is connected to the controller 200 in place of an operation panel that is installed as a dedicated operation unit of the image processing apparatus 100. The operation unit 400 and the controller 200 can be grasped as a single device. In this case, the image processing apparatus 100 is merely an example of a device on which the operation unit 400 is mounted. The operation unit 400 is not limited to the image processing apparatus 100, and is mounted on a computer that executes a program or an apparatus called an information processing apparatus. Is possible. For example, a device such as a projector, a video conference system, or a digital camera can be used instead of the image processing apparatus 100.

<Functional configuration of the embodiment>
The functional configuration of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the controller 200 and the operation unit 400 that constitute the image processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, like the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, the controller 200 and the operation unit 400 are connected so that data communication can be performed by USB communication. The present invention can also be applied to a case where the controller 200 and the operation unit 400 can be wirelessly connected as in the image processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG.

<Functional Configuration of Controller 200>
The controller 200 includes a transmission / reception unit 252, a first user identification information acquisition unit 254, a first authentication processing unit 256, a power supply control unit 258, a communication control unit 266, and a storage / reading processing unit 260. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any one of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 2 operating according to a command from the CPU 202 according to the controller program stored in the program ROM 204. The controller 200 also has a storage unit 262 constructed by the HDD 208 shown in FIG.

(User authentication management table)
In the storage unit 262, a user authentication management DB 264 configured by a user authentication management table as shown in Table 1 is constructed.

このユーザ認証管理テーブルでは、画像処理装置１００によって使用が許可されるユーザによって携帯される全てのＩＣカード５００のＲＦタグ、およびＩＣチップに記録される各ユーザＩＤなどの識別情報が管理される。例えば、表１に示されているユーザ認証管理テーブルにおいて、あるユーザのユーザＩＤは「０１ａａ」であることが示されている。

In this user authentication management table, identification information such as RF tags of all IC cards 500 carried by users permitted to be used by the image processing apparatus 100 and each user ID recorded on the IC chip is managed. For example, in the user authentication management table shown in Table 1, it is indicated that the user ID of a certain user is “01aa”.

<Each functional part of the controller 200>
Each part of the controller 200 will be described in detail.

  The transmission / reception unit 252 of the controller 200 is realized by the operation unit I / F 214 illustrated in FIG. 2, and transmits / receives various data (information) to / from the operation unit 400 by USB communication.

  The first user identification information acquisition unit 254 of the controller 200 is realized by the tag reader 218 shown in FIG. 2, a command from the CPU 202, a controller program stored in the program ROM 204, and from the RF tag of the IC card 500. The identification information of the user is read by short-range wireless communication and input to the first authentication processing unit 256.

  The first authentication processing unit 256 of the controller 200 is realized by a command from the CPU 202 shown in FIG. 2 and a controller program stored in the program ROM 204. Whether the first authentication processing unit 256 includes the user identification information input by the first user identification information acquisition unit 254 in the user ID (identification information) of the user authentication management table stored in the storage unit 262 or not. It is determined that a user who is approaching the image processing apparatus 100 is registered. It is determined that the user has been successfully authenticated by being included in the user ID (identification information) of the user authentication management table. When it is determined that a user approaching the image processing apparatus 100 is registered, the first authentication processing unit 256 notifies the second authentication processing unit 456 of the operation unit 400 of the user identification information.

  The power supply control unit 258 of the controller 200 is realized by a command from the CPU 202 and a controller program stored in the program ROM 204 shown in FIG. The power supply control unit 258 performs power control in each element (device) constituting the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 shifts to one of a plurality of energy saving modes.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the energy saving mode of the image processing apparatus 100. The image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has four types of energy saving modes of the first energy saving mode to the fourth energy saving mode with respect to the normal mode. The power consumption increases as the energy saving mode changes from the first energy saving mode to the fourth energy saving mode. The number of energy saving modes is not limited to four, and may be five or more. FIG. 6 shows details of power control in each of the plurality of devices of the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 in each energy saving mode and in the normal mode.

  The first energy saving mode is a state in which the power supply to most of the elements constituting the image processing apparatus 100 is off and not activated, and the power consumption is the lowest. However, in the first energy saving mode, the power supply to the tag reader 218 is turned on and activated. The second energy saving mode is started when the user identification information is read by the tag reader 218 in the first energy saving mode, and is activated when the power supply to the HDD 208 is turned on. The third energy saving mode is shifted to a case where it is determined that the user identification information read by the tag reader 218 is registered in the second energy saving mode, and the CPU 402 of the operation unit 400 and the card reader 418 are transferred. It is activated by turning on the power supply. The fourth energy saving mode is shifted to the third energy saving mode when the user carrying the IC card 500 determines to use the image processing apparatus 100 based on the user identification information read by the card reader 418. The engine 300 is activated when the power supply to the engine 300 is turned on. In the fourth energy saving mode, the normal mode is activated when the power supply to the display unit 416 is turned on, and is returned from the energy saving mode. By shifting from the fourth energy saving mode to the normal mode, the backlight of the operation unit 400 is turned on and the screen is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, as the first energy saving mode is switched to the fourth energy saving mode, the number of components that are turned on is increased. It is assumed that the power consumption of the engine 300 is the highest among the hardware configuring the image processing apparatus 100 and the power consumption of hardware other than the engine 300 is lower than that of the engine 300. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment turns on the supply of power to the engine 300 when the user approaching the image processing apparatus 100 determines that the image processing apparatus 100 is to be used. Start by. Accordingly, when the user simply approaches the image processing apparatus 100, the power supply to the engine 300 is not turned on and is not activated, so that power consumption can be reduced. In the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the power supply to the engine 300 is off in the first energy saving mode-third energy saving mode, and the user operates the image processing apparatus 100 in the third energy saving mode. When it is determined to be used, the power supply to the engine 300 is turned on, and the mode shifts to the fourth energy saving mode.

  The network I / F 206 can be used in the second energy saving mode to the fourth energy saving mode. Thus, communication can be performed between the image processing apparatus 100 and the server 600 in the second energy saving mode to the fourth energy saving mode.

  Returning to FIG. The storage / reading processing unit 260 of the controller 200 is realized by the command from the CPU 202 shown in FIG. 2, the controller program stored in the program ROM 204, and the HDD 208. The storage / reading processing unit 260 performs processing of storing various data in the storage unit 262 and reading out various data stored in the storage unit 262.

  The communication control unit 266 of the controller 200 is executed by a command from the CPU 202 shown in FIG. 1, a controller program stored in the operation unit I / F 214 and the program ROM 204. The communication control unit 266 establishes communication with the operation unit 400, and performs control according to various data (information) input by the operation unit 400 after the communication is established.

<Functional configuration of operation unit 400>
The operation unit 400 includes a transmission / reception unit 452, a second user identification information acquisition unit 454, a second authentication processing unit 456, a display control unit 458, a communication control unit 464, and a storage / reading processing unit 460. Each of these units is realized by any one of the elements constituting the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 operating according to a command from the CPU 402 according to the operation unit program stored in the program ROM 404. Function or means. Further, the operation unit 400 includes a storage unit 462 constructed by the nonvolatile memory 412 shown in FIG.

<Each functional unit of the operation unit 400>
Next, each part of the operation unit 400 will be described in detail.

  The transmission / reception unit 452 of the operation unit 400 is realized by the controller I / F 414 illustrated in FIG. 1, and transmits / receives various data (information) to / from the controller 200 through USB communication.

  The second user identification information acquisition unit 454 of the operation unit 400 is realized by the card reader 418 shown in FIG. 2, the instruction from the CPU 402, and the operation unit program stored in the program ROM 404. User identification information is read from the IC chip by short-range wireless communication, and is input to the second authentication processing unit 456.

  The second authentication processing unit 456 of the operation unit 400 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 402 shown in FIG. 2 and an operation unit program stored in the program ROM 404. The second authentication processing unit 456 caches in the storage unit 462 the user ID that matches the user identification information notified by the first authentication processing unit 256. Further, the second authentication processing unit 456 determines whether the user identification information input by the second user identification information acquisition unit 454 matches the cached user identification information, thereby determining whether or not the image processing apparatus It is determined whether a user approaching 100 uses the image processing apparatus 100.

  The display control unit 458 of the operation unit 400 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 402 shown in FIG. 2 and an operation unit program stored in the program ROM 404 and controls an image to be displayed on the display unit 416.

  The storage / reading processing unit 460 of the operation unit 400 is executed by a command from the CPU 402 shown in FIG. The storage / reading processing unit 460 performs processing of storing various types of data in the storage unit 462 and reading out various types of data stored in the storage unit 462.

  The communication control unit 464 of the operation unit 400 is executed by an instruction from the CPU 402 shown in FIG. 2, a controller I / F 414, and an operation unit program stored in the program ROM 404. The communication control unit 464 establishes communication with the controller 200.

  A program (controller program, operation unit program) executed by the image processing apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM or flexible disk (FD). , A CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a USB (Universal Serial Bus), or other computer-readable recording medium may be provided. The program (controller program, operation unit program) executed by the image processing apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment 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 nonvolatile recording medium such as a ROM.

<Operation of Information Processing System (Part 1)>
FIG. 7 shows the operation (part 1) of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. Here, processing when the user carrying the IC card 500 approaches the image processing apparatus 100 that has been shifted to the first energy saving mode is shown.

  In step S702, the first user identification information acquisition unit 254 of the controller 200 detects the RF tag of the IC card 500 and acquires the user identification information recorded on the RF tag. In step S <b> 704, the first user identification information acquisition unit 254 of the controller 200 inputs the user identification information to the first authentication processing unit 256.

  In step S706, the first authentication processing unit 256 of the controller 200 indicates that the power control unit 258 is requested to shift to the second energy saving mode when the user identification information is input. 2. Enter the energy saving mode transition request. In step S708, the power supply control unit 258 of the controller 200 turns on the supply of power to the storage unit 262 when the second energy saving mode transition request is input. As a result, the power supply of the HDD 208 is turned on and started.

  In step S710, the power supply control unit 258 of the controller 200 indicates that the first authentication processing unit 256 is notified of the transition to the second energy saving mode after turning on the power supply to the storage unit 262. The second energy saving mode transition notification is input. In step S712, the first authentication processing unit 256 of the controller 200, when the second energy saving mode transition notification is input, searches the user authentication management table stored in the storage unit 262, thereby identifying the user identification information. It is determined whether or not identification information that matches is stored.

  In step S714, the first authentication processing unit 256 of the controller 200 acquires a search result indicating a result of searching for whether or not identification information that matches the user identification information is stored in the user authentication management table. If identification information that matches the user identification information is not stored in the user authentication management table, it is determined that the user permitted to use the image processing apparatus 100 is not approaching, so the process of step S702 is performed. Return to. Here, the description is continued for the case where identification information that matches the identification information of the user is stored in the user authentication management table.

  In step S716, when the first authentication processing unit 256 of the controller 200 obtains a search result indicating that identification information matching the user identification information is stored in the user authentication management table, the user authentication is performed. It judges that it succeeded and inputs the 3rd energy saving mode transfer request | requirement which shows the request | requirement which transfers to 3rd energy saving mode to the power supply control part 258. FIG. In steps S718 and S720, when the third energy saving mode transition request is input, the power supply control unit 258 of the controller 200 receives the second user identification information acquisition unit 454 and the second authentication processing unit of the operation unit 400. The power supply to 456 is turned on. As a result, the card reader 418 is turned on and activated.

  In step S722, the first authentication processing unit 256 of the controller 200 transmits a job information request indicating that the server 600 requests job information. The job information request is accompanied by user identification information. The server 600 receives a job information processing request transmitted by the controller 200. In the server 600, a job information management DB configured by a job information management table as shown in Table 2 is constructed.

このジョブ情報管理テーブルには、画像処理装置１００によって使用が許可される全てのユーザによって携帯される全てのＩＣカード５００の各識別情報（ユーザＩＤ）とユーザＩＤに対して、許可されるジョブの種類とが関連付けられて管理される。例えば、表２に示されているジョブ情報管理テーブルにおいて、ユーザＩＤが「０１ａａ」であるユーザに許可されているジョブの種類は「印刷ジョブ」であることが示されている。サーバ６００は、該ジョブ情報要求に付帯されるユーザの識別情報に関連付けられたジョブの種類を示す情報を取得し、コントローラ２００に返信する。

In the job information management table, for each identification information (user ID) and user ID of all the IC cards 500 carried by all users permitted to be used by the image processing apparatus 100, the permitted job is stored. Types are managed in association with each other. For example, in the job information management table shown in Table 2, it is indicated that the type of job permitted to the user whose user ID is “01aa” is “print job”. The server 600 acquires information indicating the type of job associated with the user identification information attached to the job information request, and returns the information to the controller 200.

  In step S724, the first authentication processing unit 256 of the controller 200 holds job information indicating the type of job of the user transmitted by the server 600. Thereafter, based on the identification information attached to the job processing requested by the user, the controller 200 performs job processing when the job processing matches the type of job associated with the identification information.

  In step S726, the first authentication processing unit 256 of the controller 200 transmits an approaching user information notification indicating that a user permitted to use is approaching the second authentication processing unit 456 of the operation unit 400. . This approaching user information notification is accompanied by user identification information.

  In step S728, the second authentication processing unit 456 of the operation unit 400 holds the user identification information in the storage unit 462.

  The description will be continued with reference to FIG. In step S802, the second user identification information acquisition unit 454 of the operation unit 400 acquires the user identification information recorded on the IC chip.

  In step S804, the second user identification information acquisition unit 454 of the operation unit 400 inputs the user identification information to the second authentication processing unit 456. In step S806, the second authentication processing unit 456 of the operation unit 400 determines whether or not the user identification information input by the second user identification information acquisition unit 454 matches the cached identification information. By doing so, it is determined whether or not to log in the user carrying the IC card 500. Here, the case where it is determined that the user authentication is successful when the user identification information matches the cached identification information and the user logs in is continued. The second user identification information acquisition unit 454 is activated after the second identification information acquisition unit 454 and the second authentication processing unit 456 are turned on or the second authentication processing unit The user may log in when it is determined that the user authentication is successful within a predetermined time after the approaching user information is input to 456.

  In step S808, the second authentication processing unit 456 of the operation unit 400 inputs a login notification indicating notification of login to the transmission / reception unit 452. In step S <b> 810, the transmission / reception unit 452 of the operation unit 400 transmits the login notification input by the second authentication processing unit 456 to the controller 200. In step S812, the transmission / reception unit 252 of the controller 200 inputs the login notification transmitted by the operation unit 400 to the power supply control unit 258.

  In step S814, the power supply control unit 258 of the controller 200 is activated by turning on the supply of power to the engine 300 when the login notification is input. In step S816, the power supply control unit 258 of the controller 200 is activated by turning on the supply of power to the display control unit 458 of the operation unit 400.

<Operation of Information Processing System (Part 2)>
FIG. 9 shows the operation (part 3) of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. Here, an operation in the case where login is not performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transition to the third energy saving mode by the processing in step S720 of the operation of the information processing system (part 1) will be described.

  Steps S702 to S728 in FIG. 7 can be applied to steps S902 to S928.

  The description will be continued with reference to FIG. In step S <b> 1002, the power supply control unit 258 of the controller 200 determines to shift to the energy saving mode because a login notification is not input even if a predetermined time has elapsed after shifting to the third energy saving mode. In steps S1004 and S1006, the power control unit 258 of the controller 200 stops by turning off the power supply to the second user identification information acquisition unit 454 and the second authentication processing unit 456 of the operation unit 400. To do. As a result, the power of the card reader 418 is turned off. In step S1008, the power control unit 258 of the controller 200 turns off the power supply to the storage unit 262. As a result, the power source of the HDD 208 is turned off.

  In the above-described embodiment, in addition to the identification information, the password may be recorded in the user authentication management DB, and the user identification information and the password may be recorded on the IC chip of the IC card 500. The image processing apparatus 100 receives the user identification information and the password recorded on the IC chip of the IC card 500. The image processing apparatus 100 succeeds in user authentication when any of the identification information and password recorded in the user authentication management DB matches the received user identification information (user ID) and password, It may be determined that the user carrying the IC card 500 is permitted to use the image processing apparatus 100.

  According to the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, when it is determined that the user approaching the image processing apparatus is a user permitted to use based on the user identification information acquired by the tag reader. Turns on the power supply to the elements necessary for the process of determining whether or not to use the image processing apparatus. After the element is activated, the power supply to the engine is turned on when the user identification information obtained by the card reader matches the identification information stored in advance.

  Since the distance at which the tag reader can communicate is longer than the distance at which the card reader can communicate, the user can detect the proximity of the user by the tag reader until the user holds the IC card. It is possible to activate some devices necessary for the process of determining whether to use the image processing apparatus. When the user who has approached the image processing apparatus determines to use the image processing apparatus, the engine can be started. When the user determines to use the image processing apparatus, the power consumption can be reduced by starting the engine. For example, when a user approaches the image processing apparatus to take a printed matter, the user holds the IC card 500 over the image processing apparatus 100 even when the user is determined to be a permitted user. Therefore, it is not determined that the user uses the image processing apparatus 100. For this reason, since power supply to the engine is not turned on, power consumption can be reduced.

  In the embodiment described above, RFID has been described as an example of short-range wireless communication. However, Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN, or the like may be applied. Further, although an IC chip has been described as an example of short-range wireless communication, a FeliCa communication method, ISO / IEC 14443, ISO / IEC 18092, or the like may be applied.

  In the embodiments described above, the image processing system is an example of an information processing system, the controller is an example of an information processing device and an information processing unit, the engine is an example of an execution unit, and the user authentication management DB is an example of a database. It is. The user identification information is an example of information for identifying the user, the user ID is an example of information for authenticating the user, and the controller program and the operation unit program are examples of the information processing program.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, the embodiments are merely illustrative and those skilled in the art will appreciate various variations, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like. Let's go. For convenience of explanation, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described using a functional block diagram, but such an apparatus may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. . The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like are included without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

50 Communication Network 100, 101 Image Processing Device 200 Controller 202, 402 CPU
204, 404 Program ROM
206 Network I / F
208 HDD
210, 410 RAM
212, 412 Non-volatile memory 214 Operation unit I / F
216 Engine I / F
252 Transmission / reception unit 254 First user identification information acquisition unit 256 First authentication processing unit 258 Power supply control unit 260 Storage / read processing unit 262 Storage unit 264 User authentication management DB
266 Communication control unit 400 Operation unit 452 Transmission / reception unit 454 Second user identification information acquisition unit 456 Second authentication processing unit 458 Display control unit 460 Storage / read processing unit 462 Storage unit 464 Communication control unit 500 IC card 600 server

JP2013-55618A

Claims (8)

An information processing system including an information processing device, an operation unit that receives an operation on the information processing device, and an execution unit that executes a process instructed by a user,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A database for storing information for authenticating a user who is permitted to use the information processing system;
A first identification information acquisition unit that acquires information for identifying a user through first wireless communication;
A first authentication processing unit that determines that user authentication is successful when information identifying the user acquired by the first identification information acquisition unit is included in the database;
A power control unit, and
The operation unit is
A second identification information acquisition unit for acquiring information for identifying the user by the second wireless communication;
A second authentication processing unit that determines that the user authentication is successful when the database includes information identifying the user acquired by the second identification information acquisition unit, and
The power control unit
When it is determined by the first authentication processing unit that the user has been successfully authenticated, at least the second identification information acquisition unit and the second authentication processing unit are activated,
An information processing system that activates the execution unit when it is determined by the second authentication processing unit that the user has been successfully authenticated. The first authentication processing unit notifies the second authentication processing unit of information for identifying the user acquired by the first identification information acquisition unit when it is determined that the user authentication is successful,
When the information for identifying the user acquired by the second identification information acquisition unit matches the information for identifying the user notified by the first authentication processing unit, the second authentication processing unit, The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing system determines that the user authentication is successful.   The power supply control unit has succeeded in authenticating the user by the second authentication processing unit within a predetermined time after starting activation of the second identification information acquisition unit and the second authentication processing unit. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the determination is made, the execution unit is activated.   The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a distance in which the second wireless communication is possible is shorter than a distance in which the first wireless communication is possible.   The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first identification information acquisition unit acquires information for identifying a user recorded in an RF tag.   The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second identification information acquisition unit acquires information for identifying a user recorded on an IC chip. An information processing apparatus comprising: an information processing unit; an operation unit that receives an operation on the information processing unit; and an execution unit that executes a process instructed by a user,
The information processing unit
A database for storing information for authenticating a user permitted to use the information processing apparatus;
A first identification information acquisition unit that acquires information for identifying a user through first wireless communication;
A first authentication processing unit that determines that user authentication is successful when information identifying the user acquired by the first identification information acquisition unit is included in the database;
A power control unit, and
The operation unit is
A second identification information acquisition unit for acquiring information for identifying the user by the second wireless communication;
A second authentication processing unit that determines that the user authentication is successful when the database includes information identifying the user acquired by the second identification information acquisition unit;
The power control unit
When it is determined by the first authentication processing unit that the user has been successfully authenticated, at least the second identification information acquisition unit and the second authentication processing unit are activated,
An information processing apparatus that activates the execution unit when it is determined by the second authentication processing unit that the user has been successfully authenticated. An information processing method executed by an information processing system including an information processing device, an operation unit that receives an operation on the information processing device, and an execution unit that executes a process instructed by a user,
The information processing apparatus is
A first identification information acquisition step of acquiring information for identifying a user by first wireless communication;
When the information for identifying the user acquired in the first identification information acquisition step is included in the database storing the information for authenticating the user who is permitted to use the information processing system, it is determined that the user has been successfully authenticated. A first authentication processing step;
A power control step, and
The operation unit is
A second identification information acquisition step of acquiring information for identifying the user by the second wireless communication;
A second authentication processing step of determining that the user authentication is successful when the database includes information for identifying the user acquired by the second identification information acquisition step;
When it is determined in the first authentication processing step that the user has been successfully authenticated, the second identification information acquisition step and the second authentication processing step are executed,
In the power control step, an information processing method of starting up the execution unit when it is determined in the second authentication processing step that user authentication is successful.

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