JP2018018119A - Information processing device and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device configured to notify a first user with no usage authority for a target image processing device that the image processing device has been made available for use without requiring manual manipulation by a second user having usage authority for the image processing device.SOLUTION: When a first user not belonging to an organization with usage authority for an image processing device has an association with a second user belonging to the organization, notification means of an information processing device notifies the first user that the first user can use the image processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing program.

  In Patent Document 1, it is an object to enable use of a device even by a user who does not have an operation authority in advance, and an information processing system including one or more computers is one of a plurality of destinations. The operation authority is given when granting the operation authority of the device based on different conditions depending on the combination of the request destination and the request destination and the transmission source of the request. It is disclosed that it has generating means for generating authority identification information to be identified, and transmission means for transmitting the authority identification information to a transmission source of the request.

  In Patent Document 2, in a system for performing user authentication using a portable recording medium, it is an object to give an access right to a user who is temporarily used more easily than in the past. A personal card with a user identification code that identifies the user is issued, a registration card with a registration code is prepared, and the user identification code is received from the personal card for a predetermined period for user registration. When the registration code is read from the registration card, the user identification code is stored in the temporary use user storage means, and when the user identification code is read from the personal card for resource use, If this user identification code is stored in the temporary user storage means, access to the resource is permitted, If not 憶 that prohibits access to resources is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-022617 JP 2010-140367 A

When using an image processing apparatus, there is a technique that requires a login and restricts users.
Incidentally, there are cases where a guest user such as a visitor who does not have usage authority wants to use the image processing apparatus. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 or the like, a manual operation for granting authority to the guest user is required by a regular user or the like who has authority to use each time.
According to the present invention, the first user who does not have the authority to use the image processing apparatus can use the image processing apparatus without manual operation by the second user who has the authority to use the target image processing apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing program that can be notified of.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a first user who does not belong to an organization that can use the image processing apparatus is related to a second user who belongs to the organization, the first user On the other hand, the first user is an information processing apparatus having notification means for notifying that the image processing apparatus can be used.

  In the invention of claim 2, the fact that the first user is related to the second user is calculated by calculating the relationship between the first user and the second user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic is higher or higher than a predetermined threshold.

  In the invention of claim 3, the relevance between the first user and the second user is (1) that a similar document has been printed by the image processing apparatus, and (2) the first user That the user and the second user belong to a third organization different from the organization, and (3) a document related to one of the first user and the second user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein calculation is performed using the fact that the other user has printed the image processing apparatus or (4) a combination thereof.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the image processing apparatus is used by the first user, control means for controlling the use as the use by the second user, and for the second user A second notification means for notifying that the first user can use the image processing apparatus, and a designation for designating a third user according to the operation of the second user. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the second notification means notifies the third user that the first user can use the image processing apparatus. It is an information processing apparatus as described in.

  The invention of claim 6 is that a user belonging to an organization that can use the image processing apparatus uses a second image processing apparatus that can be used by the organization to which the first user belongs. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in some cases, the first user can use the image processing apparatus.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the first user uses the second image processing device within a fee used by a user belonging to an organization that can use the image processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information processing apparatus is usable.

  According to the invention of claim 8, when the first user who does not belong to the organization that can use the image processing apparatus is related to the second user who belongs to the organization, the computer is connected to the first user. The information processing program causes the first user to function as a notification unit that notifies the user that the image processing apparatus can be used.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the first aspect, the first user who does not have the authority to use the image processing apparatus does not perform manual operation by the second user who has the authority to use the target image processing apparatus. You are notified that the device is available.

  According to the information processing apparatus of claim 2, the fact that the first user is related to the second user means calculating the relationship between the first user and the second user, and the relationship It is assumed that the sex is higher or higher than a predetermined threshold.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the third aspect, the relationship between the first user and the second user is (1) that a similar document has been printed by the image processing apparatus, (2 ) That the first user and the second user belong to a third organization different from the organization that can use the target image processing apparatus; and (3) the first user and the second user. It is calculated using the fact that the other user has printed a document related to one of the two users by the image processing apparatus, or (4) a combination thereof.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the third user is designated in accordance with the operation of the second user.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the third user is notified that the first user can use the image processing apparatus.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, the user who belongs to the organization that can use the image processing apparatus uses the second image processing apparatus that can be used by the organization to which the first user belongs. In some cases, the first user can use the image processing apparatus.

  According to the information processing apparatus of claim 7, the first user uses the second image processing apparatus within a fee used by a user belonging to an organization that can use the image processing apparatus. Can be used.

  According to the information processing program of claim 8, the first user who does not have the authority to use the image processing apparatus does not perform the manual operation by the second user who has the authority to use the target image processing apparatus. You are notified that the device is available.

It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration example using this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a tenant management table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a user management table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a user affiliation management table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of an image processing apparatus management table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a file management table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of an operation history management table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a temporary use management table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of presentation of a printing expense total table. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which implement | achieves this Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example of the present embodiment.
The module generally refers to components such as software (computer program) and hardware that can be logically separated. Therefore, the module in the present embodiment indicates not only a module in a computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the present embodiment is a computer program for causing these modules to function (a program for causing a computer to execute each procedure, a program for causing a computer to function as each means, and a function for each computer. This also serves as an explanation of the program and system and method for realizing the above. However, for the sake of explanation, the words “store”, “store”, and equivalents thereof are used. However, when the embodiment is a computer program, these words are stored in a storage device or stored in memory. This means that control is performed so as to be stored in the apparatus. In addition, the modules may correspond to the functions on a one-to-one basis. However, in implementation, one module may be configured by one program, or a plurality of modules may be configured by one program. A module may be composed of a plurality of programs. The plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in a distributed or parallel environment. Note that one module may include other modules. Hereinafter, “connection” is used not only for physical connection but also for logical connection (data exchange, instruction, reference relationship between data, etc.). “Predetermined” means that the process is determined before the target process, and not only before the process according to this embodiment starts but also after the process according to this embodiment starts. Also, if it is before the target processing, it is used in accordance with the situation / status at that time or with the intention to be decided according to the status / status up to that point. When there are a plurality of “predetermined values”, they may be different values, or two or more values (of course, including all values) may be the same. In addition, the description of “do B when A” is used to mean “determine whether or not A and do B when A”. However, the case where it is not necessary to determine whether or not A is excluded.
In addition, the system or device includes a plurality of computers, hardware, devices, and the like connected by communication means such as a network (including one-to-one communication connection), etc., and one computer, hardware, The case where it is realized by an apparatus or the like is also included. “Apparatus” and “system” are used as synonymous terms. Of course, the “system” does not include a social “mechanism” (social system) that is an artificial arrangement.
In addition, when performing a plurality of processes in each module or in each module, the target information is read from the storage device for each process, and the processing result is written to the storage device after performing the processing. is there. Therefore, description of reading from the storage device before processing and writing to the storage device after processing may be omitted. Here, the storage device may include a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an external storage medium, a storage device via a communication line, a register in a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the like.

  The information processing system according to the present embodiment permits use of the image processing apparatus 170, and includes an information processing apparatus 100, a user terminal 150, and an image processing apparatus 170 as shown in the example of FIG. ing. The information processing apparatus 100 may be configured as a server and the user terminal 150 may be configured as a server / client type configuration.

As described above, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1 or the like, a first user who has no authority to use an image processing apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as a guest user) by performing a procedure can temporarily use the image processing apparatus. You can now get usage rights.
In this case, it is necessary to change the printing cost of the guest user to someone who is a regular user while allowing the guest user to temporarily use the image processing apparatus.
While it is desirable to make it temporarily unavailable to guest users with unclear identities, it is cumbersome to require manual operation by authorized users to check this.
In addition, manual operation by a regular user is still necessary to determine the destination of expense replacement.
That is, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 and the like, the simplicity of the procedure performed for granting the use authority is sacrificed. Furthermore, the simplicity of the procedure is not compatible with the ease of payment for printing costs.

[1] In general, a printing fee is charged from a sales company of the image processing apparatus 170 to a user company as follows.
The image processing device 170 has a built-in meter for counting the number of printed sheets.
The company that sells the image processing apparatus 170 regularly reads the meter value (collects the meter value) and knows how many sheets have been printed in that period by the image processing apparatus 170.
-Meter reading is performed for the image processing apparatus 170 installed in a certain user company, and the total is billed to the user company.
The print service in this embodiment is independent of the meter-based fee system as described above. However, examples of exception processing will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[2] In the example of the present embodiment, the print service is provided as a cloud service, and the print service centrally manages a plurality of tenants (contract units). A user and the image processing apparatus 170 belong to the tenant. Normally, an image processing apparatus 170 of a certain tenant can be used only by users belonging to that tenant.
[3] In the example of the present embodiment, the guest user is assumed to be a user belonging to a tenant different from the image processing apparatus 170 desired to be temporarily used. Even though the tenants are different, they are registered in the print service, so they have been authenticated and their contact information (for example, email address) is known.

In the present embodiment (information processing apparatus 100), when a temporary use is requested by a guest user, the data managed by the information processing apparatus 100 is analyzed, and a regular user strongly associated with the guest user is automatically identified. To do.
Further, in the present embodiment, the guest user automatically sets the printing cost for the regular user so that the printing cost of the guest user is borne by the guest user, and then sets the image processing device 170 of the visited tenant to the guest user and the image processing device 170 of his tenant. It can be used in the same way.

The information processing apparatus 100 includes a communication module 105, a control module 110, a data storage module 115, a printing cost totaling module 130, a user relevance calculation module 135, and a temporary use management module 140.
The communication module 105 is connected to the control module 110, the communication module 155 of the user terminal 150, and the communication module 175 of the image processing apparatus 170. The communication module 105 communicates with the user terminal 150 (communication module 155) and the image processing apparatus 170 (communication module 175).
The control module 110 is connected to the communication module 105, the data storage module 115, the printing cost aggregation module 130, the user relevance calculation module 135, and the temporary use management module 140. The control module 110 controls modules in the information processing apparatus 100. That is, various controls of the entire information processing apparatus 100 are performed.

The temporary use management module 140 is connected to the control module 110. The temporary use management module 140 accepts an application for temporary use from the user terminal 150, delegates the calculation of the degree of association between users (users) to the user relevance calculation module 135, and temporarily uses the result of the calculation. Data is registered in the storage module 129. Then, the application result is returned to the user terminal 150.
When the first user who does not belong to the organization that can use the image processing apparatus 170 is related to the second user who belongs to the organization, the temporary use management module 140 performs the first use. The first user is notified via the communication module 105 that the image processing apparatus 170 can be used.
Here, if the first user is related to the second user, the value (relevance) indicating the relationship between the first user and the second user is calculated as the user relevance level. The module 135 may calculate and the degree of association may be higher or higher than a predetermined threshold.
The organization may be a group with one or more users. Hereinafter, a tenant will be exemplified and described as an organization. Here, the tenant is a borrower when using the cloud service, and is determined by a contract. Therefore, those who belong to the tenant can use the cloud service. This tenant may include an image processing apparatus and the like in addition to the user. That is, an image processing apparatus or the like can be used as part of the cloud service. In this case, an image processing apparatus belonging to a certain tenant can be used by a user belonging to that tenant. The cloud service includes a plurality of tenants (so-called multi-tenant). Generally, a user belonging to the tenant A cannot use the image processing apparatus belonging to the tenant B. Since the user logs in when using the image processing apparatus, it can be determined whether or not the image processing apparatus can be used by determining whether or not it belongs to the same tenant as the image processing apparatus.
When the organization is a tenant, the first user and the second user need to use the same cloud service. Therefore, the first user who can use the image processing apparatus is not a third party that has nothing to do with the second user, but at least a person who uses the same cloud service. .
However, the organization is not limited to the tenant, and may be a group that can use the image processing apparatus.

Further, when the image processing apparatus 170 is used by the first user, the temporary use management module 140 controls the use as a use by the second user. Here, “control as usage by the second user” may include replacing the usage amount or usage fee by the first user with the second user.
Then, the temporary use management module 140 notifies the second user that the first user can use the image processing apparatus 170 via the communication module 105.
Then, the temporary use management module 140 designates the third user according to the operation of the second user. The “third user” is a user who is not the first user and is not the second user. Here, the third user may be a user who belongs to the same organization as the organization to which the second user belongs.
Further, the temporary use management module 140 notifies the third user that the first user can use the image processing apparatus 170 via the communication module 105.

The temporary use management module 140 can use the second image processing apparatus (B) that can be used by the organization to which the first user belongs, and the target image processing apparatus 170 (A). When a user who belongs to an organization has used it, the first user may be able to use the target image processing apparatus 170 (A). That is, when the image processing apparatus in the own organization has already been used by the other party, the image processing apparatus in the other party's organization can be used.
Furthermore, the temporary use management module 140 uses the first image processing device within the fee used by a user belonging to an organization that can use the target image processing device 170 (A). A user may be able to use the image processing apparatus. That is, the image processing apparatus in the other party's organization can be used within the fee already used by the other party.

The user relevance calculation module 135 is connected to the control module 110. The user relevance level calculation module 135 analyzes data in the information processing apparatus 100 (data in the data storage module 115) and calculates a relevance level between users. The user relevance calculation module 135 calculates a value indicating the relevance between the first user and the second user.
For example, as the degree of association between the first user and the second user, (1) a similar document has been printed by the image processing apparatus, and (2) the first user and the second user. Belong to a third organization different from the above-mentioned organization (organization that can use the target image processing apparatus 170), and (3) the first user and the second user. A document related to one of the users may be calculated using the fact that the other user has printed the image using the image processing apparatus, or (4) a combination thereof. The image processing apparatus here is not limited to the image processing apparatus that the first user intends to use, but may include other image processing apparatuses. Further, the image processing apparatus here may be limited to the image processing apparatus that the first user intends to use. “Similar” includes the same. Therefore, “similar documents” include a case where they are the same document. A document (also referred to as a file) is a printable data group, which is text data, numerical data, graphic data, image data, or a combination thereof, and is a target for storage, editing, search, etc. Those that can be exchanged as individual units between persons, including those similar to these. Specifically, it includes a document created by a document creation program, an image read by an image reading device (scanner or the like), a Web page, or the like.
In the case of (2) above, the second user belongs to two or more organizations. For example, when the second user also belongs to the organization A to which the first user belongs, the organization A becomes the “third organization”, and the first user belongs to the organization A and the organization C. If the second user belongs to the organization B or the organization C, the organization C becomes the “third organization”.
In addition, the fact that “the other user has printed a document related to one of the first user and the second user by the image processing apparatus” specifically refers to “the first user The document related to the first user has been printed by the second user with the image processing apparatus ”,“ The document related to the second user is the image processed by the first user. It includes both “printing and printing”. Examples of “related” in “documents related to one user” include creation, upload, modification, browsing, and transmission / reception by e-mail.

  The printing cost totaling module 130 is connected to the control module 110. The printing cost totaling module 130 totals the printing cost of the image processing apparatus 170 for each tenant, for each period, or for each user, and presents it to the user through the user terminal 150.

The data storage module 115 includes a tenant storage module 117, a user storage module 119, a user affiliation storage module 121, an image processing device storage module 123, a file storage module 125, an operation history storage module 127, and a temporary use storage module 129. , Connected to the control module 110.
The tenant storage module 117 stores information related to the tenant. For example, a tenant management table 1000 is stored. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the tenant management table 1000. The tenant management table 1000 has a tenant ID column 1010 and a tenant name column 1020. The tenant ID column 1010 stores information (tenant ID: IDentification) for uniquely identifying a tenant in the present embodiment. The tenant name column 1020 stores the tenant name of the tenant.

  The user storage module 119 stores information about the user. For example, a user management table 1100 is stored. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the user management table 1100. The user management table 1100 has a user ID column 1110, a user name column 1120, and a password column 1130. The user ID column 1110 stores information (user ID) for uniquely identifying a user in the present embodiment. The user name column 1120 stores the user name of the user. The password column 1130 stores the password of the user.

  The user affiliation storage module 121 stores information regarding which user belongs to which tenant and the relationship. Of course, one or more users correspond to the tenant. A user may belong to multiple tenants. That is, the tenant and the user have a many-to-many relationship (including one-to-one). For example, a user affiliation management table 1200 is stored. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the user affiliation management table 1200. The user affiliation management table 1200 has a tenant ID column 1210, a user ID column 1220, and a role column 1230. The tenant ID column 1210 stores the tenant ID. The user ID column 1220 stores user IDs of users belonging to the tenant indicated by the tenant ID. The role column 1230 stores the user's role (administrator, general, etc.).

  The image processing device storage module 123 stores information regarding the image processing device 170. An image processing apparatus 170 belongs to only one tenant. The tenant and the image processing apparatus have a one-to-many relationship (including one-to-one). For example, an image processing apparatus management table 1300 is stored. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the image processing apparatus management table 1300. The image processing device management table 1300 has an image processing device ID column 1310 and a tenant ID column 1320. The image processing device ID column 1310 stores information (image processing device ID) for uniquely identifying the image processing device in the present embodiment. The tenant ID column 1320 stores the tenant ID of the tenant in which the image processing apparatus is installed (contracted with the image processing apparatus). Note that the user can use any image processing apparatus as long as it belongs to the same tenant. Conversely, image processing apparatuses belonging to different tenants cannot be used in principle.

  The file storage module 125 stores information related to files uploaded to the user. A file belongs to only one tenant. Tenants and files have a one-to-many relationship (including one-to-one). For example, a file management table 1400 is stored. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the file management table 1400. The file management table 1400 includes a file ID column 1410, a tenant ID column 1420, a file name column 1430, a document main body column 1440, a registered user ID column 1450, and an accessible range column 1460. In the present embodiment, the file ID column 1410 stores information (file ID) for uniquely identifying a file. The tenant ID column 1420 stores the tenant ID of the tenant corresponding to the file. The file name column 1430 stores the file name of the file. The document body column 1440 stores a document body (for example, binary data). It may be a document storage location (URL: Uniform Resource Locator) or the like. The registered user ID column 1450 stores the user ID of the user who registered the file. The accessible range column 1460 stores an accessible range for the file. For example, “only registrants”, “not only registrants but also users of the same tenant”, etc.

  The operation history storage module 127 stores various operation histories (logs) such as file upload and printing. That is, it remembers when and what user performed what operation. For example, an operation history management table 1500 is stored. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the operation history management table 1500. The operation history management table 1500 has an operation date / time column 1510, a user ID column 1520, an operation type column 1530, a file ID column 1540, an image processing device ID column 1550, an image processing device tenant ID column 1560, and an incurred expense column 1570. ing. The operation date / time column 1510 stores the operation date / time (may be year, month, day, hour, minute, second, second or less, or a combination thereof). The user ID column 1520 stores the user ID of the user who performed the operation. The operation type column 1530 stores the operation type of the operation. For example, there are uploading and printing. The file ID column 1540 stores the file ID of the file that is the target of the operation. The image processing device ID column 1550 stores the image processing device ID of the image processing device on which the operation is performed. The tenant ID column 1560 of the image processing apparatus stores the tenant ID of the tenant to which the image processing apparatus belongs. The generated cost column 1570 stores a cost (fee) generated by the operation.

  The temporary use storage module 129 stores which user temporarily uses which image processing apparatus 170 of which tenant and who is the destination of replacement of the printing cost. For example, a temporary use management table 1600 is stored. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the temporary use management table 1600. The temporary use management table 1600 includes an acceptance date / time column 1610, a tenant ID (guest) column 1620, a user ID (guest) column 1630, a tenant ID (host) column 1640, a replacement destination user ID (host) column 1650, and a restriction column 1660. Have. The acceptance date and time column 1610 stores the date and time when the application for temporary use was accepted. The tenant ID (guest) column 1620 stores the tenant ID (guest) of the tenant to which the user who applied for the temporary use belongs. The user ID (guest) column 1630 stores the user ID (guest) of the user who applied for the temporary use. The tenant ID (host) column 1640 stores the tenant ID (host) of the tenant to which the user belongs. The replacement destination user ID (host) column 1650 stores the user ID (host) of the user who is the replacement destination of the expenses generated by the temporary use. The restriction column 1660 stores restrictions on the temporary use. For example, the period is limited and the number of printed sheets is limited.

The user terminal 150 includes a communication module 155, a control module 160, and an input / output module 165. The user terminal 150 is used by a user (mainly a person who applies for temporary use of the image processing apparatus 170).
The communication module 155 is connected to the control module 160 and the communication module 105 of the information processing apparatus 100. The communication module 155 communicates with the information processing apparatus 100 (communication module 105).
The control module 160 is connected to the communication module 155 and the input / output module 165. The control module 160 controls the modules in the user terminal 150. That is, various controls of the entire user terminal 150 are performed.
The input / output module 165 is connected to the control module 160. The input / output module 165 performs input / output with the user, such as logging in to the information processing apparatus 100, uploading a file to the information processing apparatus 100, and referring to information of the information processing apparatus 100. For example, a user operation using a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, voice, line of sight, gesture, or the like is received, and information received from the information processing apparatus 100 is output by a display device such as a liquid crystal display, a speaker, or the like.

The image processing apparatus 170 includes a communication module 175, a control module 180, an input / output module 185, and a printing module 190. The image processing apparatus 170 processes (copy, print (print), read (scan), fax transmission, etc.) an image. For example, a copier, a fax machine, a scanner, a printer, and a multifunction machine (scanner, printer, Image processing apparatus having two or more functions such as a copying machine and a fax machine). Hereinafter, as an example of use of the image processing apparatus 170, printing by a multifunction machine is mainly exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and copying by a copying machine, reading by a scanner, or the like may be used.
The communication module 175 is connected to the control module 180 and the communication module 105 of the information processing apparatus 100. The communication module 175 communicates with the information processing apparatus 100 (communication module 105).
The control module 180 is connected to the communication module 175, the input / output module 185, and the printing module 190. The control module 180 controls modules in the image processing apparatus 170. That is, various controls of the entire image processing apparatus 170 are performed.
The input / output module 185 is connected to the control module 180. The input / output module 185 performs input / output with the user such as logging in to the information processing apparatus 100, displaying a list of accessible files, and allowing the user to select the file. It has the same function as the input / output module 165.
The printing module 190 is connected to the control module 180. The print module 190 prints a file.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration example using the present embodiment.
The information processing apparatus 100, the user terminal 150A, the user terminal 150B, the user terminal 150C, the user terminal 150D, the user terminal 150E, the image processing apparatus 170A, and the image processing apparatus 170B are connected via a communication line 290, respectively. The communication line 290 may be wireless, wired, or a combination thereof, and may be, for example, the Internet or an intranet as a communication infrastructure. Further, the function of the information processing apparatus 100 may be realized as a cloud service.
For example, the following processing is performed.
User A who uses user terminal 150A, user B who uses user terminal 150B, and image processing apparatus 170A belong to tenant A, and user C who uses user terminal 150C, user D who uses user terminal 150D, The user E who uses the user terminal 150E and the image processing apparatus 170B belong to the tenant B. Assume that a user C makes a business trip to an office where the image processing apparatus 170A is located, a document to be printed is generated, and the image processing apparatus 170A is desired to be used.
User C makes an application for temporary use of image processing apparatus 170A to information processing apparatus 100 using user terminal 150C. The time for applying may be before a business trip or just before printing. It is assumed that the user C and the user A have printed similar documents (for example, documents having the same title) with the image processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus 100 extracts the user A related to the user C, and replaces the user A with a fee generated when the user C uses the image processing apparatus 170A. That is, the printing fee can be automatically changed, and the user C can also use the image processing apparatus 170A of the tenant A to which the user C does not belong. Note that user C who is a guest user who requests temporary use also belongs to tenant B, so that it is guaranteed that the person is a contracted person with the print service, and temporary use by unauthorized persons is prevented. .

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing related to an application for temporary use.
In step S <b> 302, the guest user G operates the user terminal 150 to log in to the information processing apparatus 100.
In step S304, a request is made for temporary use of tenant T1. Specifically, the guest user G operates the user terminal 150 to designate the tenant T1 to which the user (guest user G) does not belong, and temporarily uses the tenant image processing apparatus 170 to the information processing apparatus 100. Apply.
The method of designating a tenant may be realized by disclosing all tenants existing in the information processing apparatus 100 to all users, displaying them in a list, and selecting them. Not all tenants may be disclosed, but only the tenant ID to which the user belongs may be disclosed to the user. In this case, the guest user G may be realized by receiving the tenant ID from any user belonging to the tenant T1 and inputting the tenant ID to the user terminal 150.

  In step S306, the process up to step S310 is repeated for all users Ux of the tenant T1. Specifically, the information processing apparatus 100 that has applied for temporary use calculates the degree of association with the guest user G for all users Ux belonging to the tenant T1. As a result of the calculation, the user Ua having the highest degree of association with the guest user G is identified in the processing after step S312, and this is set as the replacement destination user.

In step S308, the degree of association between the guest user G and the user Ux is calculated.
A specific example of calculating the degree of association between users is shown below.
(1) A user U who has a guest user G and a visited tenant has printed a similar document. In this case, the degree of association is set to a high value. For example, a file with a similar name has been printed. A case where files normally shared by e-mail or the like are uploaded to the information processing apparatus 100 of their tenant and printed by the image processing apparatus 170 of their tenant corresponds to this case.
In this case, a common file name (for example, “Report.pdf”) is not evaluated as having a high degree of relevance even if the guest user G and the user U with the visited tenant have printed in common. Thus, the calculation accuracy can be increased.
Specifically, whether the file name is common or not, depending on whether the guest user G and other user U as well as the user U with the visited tenant have printed in common, or with the guest user G It can be determined whether the characteristic is common only to the user U who has the visited tenant.
(2) There is a third tenant to which both the guest user G and the user U with the visited tenant belong. In this case, the degree of association is set to a high value. A user can belong to multiple tenants.
(3) A user U who has a tenant to visit has printed a file uploaded by the guest user G. Or the reverse may be sufficient. In this case, the degree of association is set to a high value.
In particular, in combination with (2), a file uploaded by the guest user G may be printed by a user U who has a visited tenant in the third tenant described above. It may be “uploaded in the third tenant”, “printed in the third tenant”, or “uploaded and printed in the third tenant”. There may be.
As described above, there are a plurality of indexes for calculating the degree of association. For example, the final relevance level may be calculated by adding a predetermined weight for each index as a coefficient.

In step S312, the user Ua with the highest degree of association is specified.
In step S314, it is determined whether or not the degree of association between the guest user G and the user Ua is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. If it is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S316, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S322. . That is, when the absolute value of the relevance level is lower than a predetermined threshold value, it may be determined that “there is no related user” and the temporary use of the guest user G may not be accepted. In addition, the user Ua specified in step S312 may be always the replacement destination user without performing the process of step S314.
In step S316, the user Ua is determined as the replacement destination user.

In step S318, information is stored in the temporary use storage module 129. The temporary use storage module 129 stores information that includes the guest user G that is temporarily used, the tenant Tg to which the guest user G belongs, the tenant T1 that is temporarily used, the replacement user Ua, and the temporary use restriction. For example, the temporary use management table 1600 shown in FIG. 16 is created. Here, the temporary use restriction is a parameter that defines “temporary”, such as a period in which temporary use is possible and the number of printed sheets. What specific parameters are used may be fixed for the entire print service, or may be set for each tenant from among several options.
In step S320, the guest user G is notified of application acceptance. That is, the guest user G who applied for temporary use knows the application result through the user terminal 150.
When the application is accepted, processing according to the flowchart shown in the example of FIG. 4 is performed.
In step S322, the guest user G is notified of application rejection.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example related to use of the image processing apparatus 170. When the application is accepted (step S320), the guest user G can log in by inputting his / her user name and password to the image processing apparatus 170 of the tenant T1, and can print a file that he can access. Become.
In step S <b> 402, the user tries to log in with the image processing apparatus 170.
In step S404, the information processing apparatus 100 identifies the user ID and the tenant ID of the image processing apparatus 170. For example, a tenant management table 1000, a user management table 1100, a user affiliation management table 1200, and an image processing apparatus management table 1300 may be used.

In step S406, it is determined whether or not the user belongs to the tenant. If the user belongs to the tenant, the process proceeds to step S408. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S414.
In step S408, the user is assumed to have successfully logged in (the image processing apparatus 170 can be used).
In step S410, the user selects and prints a file.
In step S412, the print history is stored in the operation history storage module 127. For example, an operation history management table 1500 is created.
In step S414, it is determined whether or not there is a record in temporary use storage module 129 (temporary use management table 1600). If there is a record, the process proceeds to step S408, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S416.
In step S416, the user cannot log in (the image processing apparatus 170 cannot be used).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing related to tabulation of printing costs.
When the user prints, a combination of date / time, user ID, image processing apparatus ID, image processing apparatus tenant ID, and generated cost is stored in the operation history storage module 127 (for example, the operation history management table 1500). For example, when the printing unit price is not known, the number of printed sheets may be used instead of the generated cost.

In step S502, the user designates a tenant and a period, and requests a total of printing costs. That is, the user designates a tenant and a period through the user terminal 150 and requests the information processing apparatus 100 to sum up printing costs. Note that this operation is generally performed by a user having an administrator role.
Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 100 refers to the operation history storage module 127 and totals the printing costs.
In step S504, the print history is searched from the operation history storage module 127.

In step S506, the processing up to step S514 is repeated for all the history hits in the search.
In step S508, it is determined whether the printed user belongs to the tenant of the image processing apparatus 170. If the user belongs, the process proceeds to step S510. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S512.
In step S510, the cost is recorded as the cost of the printed user. In other words, if the user belongs to the tenant to which the image processing apparatus 170 belongs, it can be determined that it is not temporary use but printing by a regular user. The printing cost can be tabulated as the burden of the authorized user.

  In step S512, it is recorded as a cost by the replacement destination user. That is, if the user does not belong to the tenant to which the image processing apparatus 170 belongs, it is a temporary use, and it can be determined that printing is performed by the guest user. The replacement destination user can be specified by referring to the temporary usage storage module 129 (temporary usage management table 1600), and the printing cost can be calculated as a burden on the replacement destination user.

  In step S516, the totaling result is presented to the user. That is, the user knows the counting result through the user terminal 150. The user can apportion printing costs in-house based on the result of the aggregation. For example, the printing cost totaling table 1700 is presented as a totaling result. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an example of presentation of the printing cost summary table 1700. The printing cost summary table 1700 includes a user column 1710, a current month cost (person) column 1720, a replacement source user (guest) column 1730, and a current month cost (guest) column 1740. The user column 1710 presents users. The current month cost (for the principal) column 1720 presents the current month's cost for the principal. The replacement source user (guest) column 1730 presents a replacement source user (guest). This month's cost (for guest) column 1740 presents the current month's cost for the guest. For example, a title such as “XX tenant yyyy year mm month” may be added. The third line of the printing cost summary table 1700 shows an example in which a replacement has occurred.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example related to a process of changing the replacement destination after the fact.
The reassigned authorized user confirms the contents of the automatic setting after the fact and reassigns it to another authorized user. The regular user specified in the information processing apparatus 100 confirms by which guest user the automatic replacement has been made afterwards, and if it is dissatisfied, it is replaced with another regular user belonging to the same tenant as the user (the authorized regular user) cure.
Normally, if there is no problem, accepting a temporary use by a guest user without any special operation, but if there is an unacceptable temporary use, a more appropriate replacement destination can be selected. In addition, the history of the reassignment operation itself can be used as analysis target data in future automatic identification.

The user can refer to the temporary use storage module 129 through the user terminal 150 and know which guest user's temporary use printing cost has been replaced for the user.
In step S602, the guest user applies for temporary use. The processing in step S602 has been described above as a processing example according to the flowchart shown in the example of FIG.
In step S604, the user who is the replacement destination applies for a change of replacement. That is, when disagreeing with the replaced content, the information processing apparatus 100 is requested to change the replacement destination user ID in the temporary use storage module 129. This application may be performed immediately after the use of the guest user G or may be performed periodically (for example, once a month).

In step S606, it is determined whether or not permission is required for the change. If necessary, the process proceeds to step S614. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S608.
The change application may be automatically accepted without the permission of another user (steps S606 and S616 may be omitted), or if the permission of the administrator user or the destination user to be changed is obtained (step You may make it receive (performing either S606, S616, or both). When permission is required, the information processing apparatus 100 that has received the change application notifies the user who requests permission by e-mail or the like. The user who has received the notification returns an approval / non-permission of the application through the user terminal 150.

In step S608, the replacement destination user ID of the temporary use storage module 129 is changed. For example, it may be possible to select from a list of users belonging to the same tenant as the user who applied for the replacement change, or the relevance calculated in step S308 described above is the next user (in the descending order of relevance) In addition, the user of the next rank of the user who applied may be selected.
In step S610, the change application operation itself is stored in the operation history storage module 127.
In step S612, the application user is notified of application acceptance.
In step S614, the user having permission is notified.
In step S616, it is determined whether the notified user has permitted or not. If permitted, the process proceeds to step S608, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S618.
In step S618, the application user is notified of application rejection.

This change application operation is also stored in the operation history storage module 127 (operation history management table 1500).
According to the history, it is stored which regular user is more appropriate as a replacement destination of a guest user. Then, the information processing apparatus 100 may perform calculation in consideration of this history when calculating the degree of association between users in the future. For example, when the replacement destination of the guest user G is the user A, but is changed to the user B by the change application by the user A, the replacement destination of the guest user G may be the user B. Thereby, the appropriateness of the replacement destination can be increased.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing related to processing for canceling past lending.
In other words, the tenant A user can use the image processing apparatus 170 of the tenant A by the amount that the user of the tenant A has automatically replaced the user of the tenant B in the past. As a result, even when a highly related user cannot be automatically identified, the image processing apparatus 170 of the other tenant can be used only for the past lending.
Specifically, as described in the explanation of the flowchart shown in the example of FIG. 3, there is a case where it is determined that “there is no related user” in the temporary use application receiving process (step S322).
On the other hand, by referring to the operation history storage module 127 and the temporary use storage module 129, the cost of a tenant A user replaced in the past with the user of the tenant B can be totaled.
Even if the user of tenant B applies for temporary use of tenant A and it is determined that there is “no related user”, if the cost transferred from tenant A to tenant B is not zero in the past, “there is a loan in the past Is determined.
If it is determined that “there is a loan in the past”, the application is accepted and the result is stored in the temporary use storage module 129 (temporary use management table 1600). In this case, the replacement-destination user ID is stored as “dummy user ID representing past lending offset”, and the temporary use restriction is limited to “limited to ¥ xxx that is past lending”.
Since the application is accepted, the user of the tenant B can temporarily use the image processing apparatus 170 of the tenant A within the limit range.

In step S702, the user of tenant A applies for temporary use of tenant B.
In step S704, the relevance of the user is calculated. The process of step S704 corresponds to the processes of steps S306 to S322 in the flowchart shown in the example of FIG.
In step S706, it is determined whether or not “no related user” is determined. If it is determined “no related user”, the process proceeds to step S708. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S722.
In step S708, the temporary use storage module 129 is searched.
In step S710, it is determined whether or not the user of tenant B has temporarily used tenant A in the past. If so, the process proceeds to step S712, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S722.
In step S712, the operation history storage module 127 is searched and the expenses replaced in the past are totaled.
In step S714, it is determined whether the total cost is greater than zero. If so, the process proceeds to step S716, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S722.
In step S716, the dummy user is determined as the replacement destination user.
In step S718, information is stored in the temporary use storage module 129 with a cost restriction.
In step S720, the guest user is notified of application acceptance.
In step S722, the guest user is notified of application rejection.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process related to a process for making the guest user pay the printing cost (until the temporary use is accepted and printing is performed).
In the above-described processing, it is assumed that the print service cannot interfere with the charge system based on the meter built in the image processing apparatus 170, but here, it is assumed that interference can occur. However, it cannot be made unlimited, and it is assumed that it is unavoidable.
In this case, even if it is determined that there is no related user in the temporary use application acceptance process, instead of not accepting the application as in the process example shown in the flowchart of FIG. Accept the application at your own expense. As a result, even when a regular user who is strongly related cannot be identified, temporary use is possible by causing the guest user to bear the printing cost.

Specifically, when information is stored in the temporary use storage module 129 (temporary use management table 1600), the replacement destination user ID is set as the user ID of the guest user.
Since the application is accepted, the guest user uses the image processing apparatus 170 to print the file temporarily. The printing cost at this time is stored in the operation history storage module 127 (operation history management table 1500) as in the processing example according to the flowchart shown in the example of FIG.
Then, as in the processing example according to the flowchart illustrated in the example of FIG. 9, the information processing apparatus 100 refers to the temporary usage storage module 129 for each predetermined period, and checks the temporary usage as a burden on the guest user himself, By referring to the operation history storage module 127, the printing costs for the temporary use are totaled.
Then, based on the totaled result, the image processing apparatus sales company that operates the fee system is requested to correct the amount charged to both user companies.
Specifically, a request is made to reduce the amount charged to the host-side tenant by the total cost and increase the amount charged to the guest-side tenant.

In step S802, the user applies for temporary use.
In step S804, the degree of relevance of the user is calculated. The processing in step S804 corresponds to the processing in steps S306 to S322 in the flowchart shown in the example of FIG.
In step S806, it is determined that “there is no related user”.
In step S808, the guest user is determined as the replacement destination user.
In step S810, the information is stored in the temporary use storage module 129.
In step S812, the guest user is notified of application acceptance.
In step S814, the image processing apparatus 170 is used. The processing in step S814 has been described above as a processing example according to the flowchart shown in the example of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing related to periodic processing in the information processing apparatus 100.
In step S902, a print operation history for temporary use, which is borne by the guest user, is searched.
In step S904, the printing costs are totaled.
In step S906, the company operating the fee system is requested to correct the billing amount.

  A hardware configuration example of the information processing apparatus 100, the user terminal 150, and the image processing apparatus 170 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 18 is configured by a personal computer (PC), for example, and shows a hardware configuration example including a data reading unit 1817 such as a scanner and a data output unit 1818 such as a printer.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1801 includes various modules described in the above-described embodiments, that is, the communication module 105, the control module 110, the printing cost totaling module 130, the user relevance calculation module 135, the temporary use management module 140, Control for executing processing according to a computer program describing an execution sequence of each module such as the communication module 155, the control module 160, the input / output module 165, the communication module 175, the control module 180, the input / output module 185, and the print module 190. Part.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 1802 stores programs used by the CPU 1801, calculation parameters, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 1803 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 1801, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 1804 including a CPU bus or the like.

  The host bus 1804 is connected to an external bus 1806 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 1805.

  A keyboard 1808 and a pointing device 1809 such as a mouse have some functions as the input / output module 165 and the input / output module 185, and are devices operated by an operator. The display 1810 has some functions as the input / output module 165 and the input / output module 185, and includes a liquid crystal display device, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and the like, and displays various types of information as text and image information. Further, a touch screen or the like having both functions of the pointing device 1809 and the display 1810 may be used.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1811 includes a hard disk (may be a flash memory or the like), drives the hard disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 1801 and information. The hard disk realizes a function as the data storage module 115 or the like. Further, various other data, various computer programs, and the like are stored.

  The drive 1812 reads data or a program recorded on a mounted removable recording medium 1813 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and reads the data or program as an interface 1807 and an external bus 1806. , A bridge 1805, and a RAM 1803 connected via a host bus 1804. The removable recording medium 1813 can also be used as a data recording area.

  The connection port 1814 is a port for connecting the external connection device 1815 and has a connection unit such as USB and IEEE1394. The connection port 1814 is connected to the CPU 1801 and the like via the interface 1807, the external bus 1806, the bridge 1805, the host bus 1804, and the like. A communication unit 1816 having functions as the communication module 105, the communication module 155, and the communication module 175 is connected to a communication line and executes data communication processing with the outside. The data reading unit 1817 is a scanner, for example, and executes document reading processing. A data output unit 1818 having a function as the print module 190 is, for example, a printer, and executes document data output processing.

  Note that the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100, the user terminal 150, and the image processing apparatus 170 illustrated in FIG. 18 is one configuration example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. Any configuration capable of executing the module described in the present embodiment may be used. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), and some modules are in an external system and connected via a communication line In addition, a plurality of systems shown in FIG. 18 may be connected to each other via communication lines so as to cooperate with each other. In particular, in addition to personal computers, portable information communication devices (including mobile phones, smartphones, mobile devices, wearable computers, etc.), information appliances, robots, copiers, fax machines, scanners, printers, multifunction devices (scanners, printers, An image processing apparatus having two or more functions such as a copying machine and a fax machine) may be incorporated.

  In addition, in the comparison processing in the description of the above-described embodiment, “more than”, “less than”, “greater than”, and “less than (less than)” The values may be “larger”, “smaller (less than)”, “more than”, and “less than”, respectively.

The program described above may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or the program may be provided by communication means. In that case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a “computer-readable recording medium recording the program”.
The “computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, and the like.
The recording medium is, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), which is a standard established by the DVD Forum, such as “DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,” and DVD + RW. Standard “DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.”, compact disc (CD), read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), Blu-ray disc ( Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), magneto-optical disk (MO), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)) )), Flash memory, Random access memory (RAM) SD (Secure Digital) memory card and the like.
Then, the whole or a part of the program may be recorded on the recording medium for storage or distribution. Also, by communication, for example, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wired network used for the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, or a wireless communication It may be transmitted using a transmission medium such as a network or a combination of these, or may be carried on a carrier wave.
Furthermore, the program may be a part or all of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program. Moreover, it may be divided and recorded on a plurality of recording media. Further, it may be recorded in any manner as long as it can be restored, such as compression or encryption.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Information processing apparatus 105 ... Communication module 110 ... Control module 115 ... Data storage module 117 ... Tenant storage module 119 ... User storage module 121 ... User affiliation storage module 123 ... Image processing apparatus storage module 125 ... File storage module 127 ... Operation history Storage module 129 ... Temporary use storage module 130 ... Printing cost totalization module 135 ... User relevance calculation module 140 ... Temporary use management module 150 ... User terminal 155 ... Communication module 160 ... Control module 165 ... Input / output module 170 ... Image processing device 175 ... Communication module 180 ... Control module 185 ... Input / output module 190 ... Print module 290 ... Communication line

Claims (8)

When the first user who does not belong to the organization that can use the image processing apparatus is related to the second user who belongs to the organization, the first user is notified of the first user. An information processing apparatus comprising notification means for notifying that the user of the image processing apparatus can use the image processing apparatus. The fact that the first user is related to the second user means calculating a relationship between the first user and the second user, and the relationship is a predetermined threshold value. Is higher or higher,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The relationship between the first user and the second user is that (1) a similar document has been printed by the image processing apparatus, and (2) the first user and the second user. The user belongs to a third organization different from the organization, and (3) the other user performs image processing on a document related to one of the first user and the second user. Have been printed on the device or (4) a combination of these,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. Control means for controlling the use as the use by the second user when the image processing apparatus is used by the first user;
Second notifying means for notifying the second user that the first user can use the image processing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: designation means for designating a third user according to an operation of the second user. The second notification means notifies the third user that the first user can use the image processing apparatus.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. If a user belonging to an organization that can use the image processing apparatus has used the second image processing apparatus that can be used by the organization to which the first user belongs, The user can use the image processing apparatus.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Suppose that the first user can use the image processing device within a fee used by a user belonging to an organization that can use the image processing device.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 6. Computer
When the first user who does not belong to the organization that can use the image processing apparatus is related to the second user who belongs to the organization, the first user is notified of the first user. Information processing program for functioning as a notification means for notifying the user that the image processing apparatus can be used.

Images