JP2018028878A - Information processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to specify an administrator who is given authentication information for using an apparatus to acquire the authentication information.SOLUTION: An administrator terminal device 10 used by an administrator who is given authentication information for using an image forming apparatus 14 transmits information on the administrator through short-range radio communication, and a user terminal device 12 receives the information on the administrator through short-range radio communication. The information on the administrator is displayed on the user terminal device 12. The user terminal device 12 requests the administrator terminal device 10 used by the administrator specified by the information on the administrator to acquire the authentication information through short-range radio communication. When the acquisition is permitted by the administrator, the user terminal device 12 acquires the authentication information from the administrator terminal device 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

  When authentication information (for example, an authentication key) for using a device is given in advance to a user (for example, an office resident) and the user is authenticated by the authentication information, the use of the device may be permitted.

  In Patent Literature 1, a user who is not registered with regular user identification information is provisionally permitted to log in as a guest user, and the provisionally authorized user is prompted to input user-specific information. Is registered as guest identification information, and an apparatus that permits login as a guest registered user is disclosed.

JP 2012-38189 A

  By the way, in order for a user who does not have authentication information (for example, an office visitor) to use the device, the user may be given authentication information by an administrator who has authentication information. However, in a user who does not have authentication information, an administrator who has authentication information is not necessarily specified, and therefore authentication information is not necessarily given to a user who does not have authentication information. Not exclusively.

  An object of the present invention is to identify an administrator who is given authentication information for using a device and acquire the authentication information.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an administrator information acquisition unit that acquires information about an administrator who is given authentication information for using the device, a display control unit that displays information about the administrator on a display unit, Authentication information acquisition for requesting acquisition of the authentication information to an external device used by the administrator specified by information related to the administrator, and acquiring the authentication information from the external device when the acquisition is permitted And an information processing apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the display control means further causes the display means to display information indicating a distance between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus. Information processing apparatus.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the authentication information acquisition unit is configured to provide the authentication information to the external device when a distance between the information processing device and the external device is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus requests acquisition of the information processing apparatus.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the display control unit further causes the display unit to display an instruction reception screen for the user to instruct the acquisition request for the authentication information, and the information processing apparatus is configured such that the distance is the threshold value. A setting unit configured to set the user operation on the instruction reception screen to be valid when the distance is less than or equal to the threshold, and to set the user operation on the instruction reception screen to be invalid when the distance exceeds the threshold; The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the manager information acquisition unit acquires information about the manager from the external device by the first communication unit, and the authentication information acquisition unit is a communication formed by the first communication unit. Requesting acquisition of the authentication information from the external device by a second communication means that forms a communication range narrower than the range, and acquiring the authentication information from the external device if the acquisition is permitted; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus.

  In the invention according to claim 6, the communication by the first communication means is short-range wireless communication, and the communication by the second communication means forms a communication range narrower than the communication range formed by the first communication means. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information processing apparatus is short-range wireless communication.

  The invention according to claim 7 is an administrator information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to an administrator who is given authentication information for using the device, and a display control means for causing the display means to display information relating to the administrator. Authentication information for requesting acquisition of the authentication information from an external device used by the administrator specified by information related to the administrator, and acquiring the authentication information from the external device when the acquisition is permitted This is a program that functions as an acquisition unit.

  According to the first and seventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to specify an administrator who is given authentication information for using the device and acquire the authentication information.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the positional relationship between the information processing device and the external device is specified.

  According to the invention of claims 3-6, the administrator can clearly identify the user who requests acquisition of authentication information.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the administrator terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the user terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen as which administrator information is displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for instruct | indicating permission or nonpermission of acquisition of authentication information. It is a figure which shows an example of a menu screen. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement which concerns on a modification.

  An image forming system as an information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows an example of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. The image forming system includes an administrator terminal device 10 as an external device, a user terminal device 12 as an information processing device, an image forming device 14 as a device, and an authentication server 16. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, one administrator terminal device 10, one user terminal device 12, and one image forming device 14 are included in the image forming system, but a plurality of administrator terminal devices 10 and a plurality of users are included. The terminal device 12 and a plurality of image forming apparatuses 14 may be included in the image forming system. Of course, other devices may be included in the image forming system.

  The administrator terminal device 10 is a terminal device for an administrator, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PC (personal computer), or a tablet PC. The administrator is given authentication information for using the image forming apparatus 14 in advance, and the administrator has the authority to use the image forming apparatus 14. The administrator terminal device 10 stores the authentication information in advance. When the authentication based on the authentication information is successful, that is, when the authentication information is valid information, the use of the image forming apparatus 14 is permitted. When the authentication based on the authentication information fails, that is, when the authentication information is invalid information, the use of the image forming apparatus 14 is prohibited. In addition, the administrator terminal device 10 has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. The administrator terminal device 10 has a near field communication function such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). Of course, the administrator terminal device 10 may have a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication or a wired communication function. The administrator terminal device 10 may have a function of transmitting and receiving data via a network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The user terminal device 12 is a terminal device for a user, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PC, or a tablet PC. The user having the user terminal device 12 is not given authentication information for using the image forming apparatus 14 in advance, and the user terminal device 12 does not store the authentication information in advance. The user is, for example, an office visitor. The user terminal device 12 has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from other devices. The user terminal device 12 has a short-range wireless communication function such as NFC or Bluetooth. Of course, the user terminal device 12 may have a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi communication or a wired communication function. Further, the user terminal device 12 may have a function of transmitting and receiving data via a network such as the Internet or a LAN.

  In the present embodiment, the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 communicate with each other via the communication path N. The communication path N is a communication path realized by, for example, a short-range wireless communication function. Of course, the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 may communicate via a communication path realized by a network such as the Internet or a LAN.

  The image forming apparatus 14 is an apparatus having an image forming function. For example, the image forming apparatus 14 has at least one of a scan function, a print function, a copy function, and a facsimile function. By executing the scan function, the document is read and scan data (image data) is generated. By executing the print function, an image is printed on a recording medium such as paper. By executing the copy function, the document is read and printed on the recording medium. By executing the facsimile function, the image data is transmitted or received by facsimile. The image data may be image data generated by reading a document, or may be image data transmitted from another device. A composite function combining a plurality of functions may be executed. For example, a scan transfer function that combines a scan function and a transmission function (transfer function) may be executed. By executing the scan transfer function, the original is read to generate scan data (image data), and the scan data is transmitted to the transmission destination. Of course, this combination function is only an example, and another combination function may be executed. The image forming apparatus 14 has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from other apparatuses. The image forming apparatus 14 has, for example, a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi communication or a wired communication function. The image forming apparatus 14 has a function of transmitting / receiving data via a network such as the Internet or a LAN. Of course, the image forming apparatus 14 may have a short-range wireless communication function such as NFC or Bluetooth.

  The authentication server 16 is a device that performs authentication based on authentication information. For example, authentication information is registered in advance in the authentication server 16, and the authentication server 16 performs authentication using the registered authentication information. When the authentication is successful, the use of the image forming apparatus 14 is permitted. When the authentication is unsuccessful, the use of the image forming apparatus 14 is not permitted. The authentication server 16 has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from other devices. The authentication server 16 has, for example, a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi communication and a wired communication function. The authentication server 16 has a function of transmitting and receiving data via a network such as the Internet or a LAN. Of course, the authentication server 16 may have a short-range wireless communication function such as NFC or Bluetooth.

  The administrator terminal device 10, the user terminal device 12, the image forming device 14, and the authentication server 16 may communicate with each other via a communication path. The communication path may be realized by short-range wireless communication or may be realized by a network such as the Internet or a LAN. Of course, the communication path may be realized by wired communication.

  In the image forming system according to the present embodiment, the user terminal device 12 acquires information related to the administrator to which the authentication information is given, and the administrator terminal device 10 used by the administrator specified by the information related to the administrator is used. Send authentication information acquisition request. When acquisition of authentication information is permitted, the authentication information is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user terminal device 12.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the administrator terminal device 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the administrator terminal device 10.

  The communication unit 18 is a communication interface and has a function of transmitting data to other devices and a function of receiving data from other devices. The communication unit 18 has a short-range wireless communication function, for example. Of course, the communication unit 18 may have a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi communication or a wired communication function. The communication unit 18 may have a function of transmitting and receiving data via a network such as the Internet or a LAN.

  The storage unit 20 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a memory, and stores, for example, various programs and various data. Of course, they may be stored in different storage devices, or may be stored in the same storage device. The storage unit 20 stores administrator information 22 and authentication information 24 in advance. The administrator terminal device 10 is preinstalled with a dedicated application (program) for giving the authentication information 24 to another device (for example, the user terminal device 12), and the storage unit 20 stores the dedicated application. Stored in advance.

  The administrator information 22 is information relating to an administrator (a person who has the authority to use the image forming apparatus 14), for example, information for specifying the administrator or information for specifying the location of the administrator. Specifically, the manager information 22 includes the name of the manager, the office name to which the manager belongs, the floor name to which the manager belongs, the telephone number of the manager, the e-mail address of the manager, and the like. The administrator information 22 may include one piece of information in the information group, or may include a plurality of pieces of information. The administrator information 22 is input by an administrator, for example. By referring to the administrator information 22, an individual administrator is specified or the location of the administrator is specified.

  The authentication information 24 is information for using the image forming apparatus 14 and is composed of a character string such as a password or an image, for example. When the authentication using the authentication information 24 is successful, the use of the image forming apparatus 14 is permitted. When the authentication is unsuccessful, the use of the image forming apparatus 14 is not permitted. The administrator is given authentication information 24 in advance, and the authentication information 24 is stored in the storage unit 20 in advance. When the image forming apparatus 14 is used via the administrator terminal device 10, the authentication information 24 is transmitted from the administrator terminal apparatus 10 to the image forming apparatus 14, and the authentication information 24 is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 14 to the authentication server 16. The If the authentication server 16 performs authentication using the authentication information 24 and the authentication is successful, the use of the image forming apparatus 14 is permitted. The authentication information 24 may be transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the authentication server 16 without going through the image forming apparatus 14. As another example, authentication may be performed by the image forming apparatus 14.

  The UI unit 26 and the user interface unit include a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit is, for example, an input device such as a touch panel or a keyboard. Of course, the UI unit 26 may be a user interface (for example, a display as a touch panel, a display that electronically displays a keyboard, or the like) having both functions of a display unit and an operation unit.

  The control unit 28 controls each unit of the administrator terminal device 10. For example, the control unit 28 controls transmission of the administrator information 22 by executing a dedicated application for providing authentication information to another device. As an example, the communication unit 18 of the administrator terminal device 10 continues to transmit the administrator information 22 by broadcast using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) under the control of the control unit 28. Of course, the administrator information 22 may be transmitted by another communication method. Further, the control unit 28 controls transmission of the authentication information 24. For example, when the transmission of the authentication information 24 is permitted by the administrator, the communication unit 18 transmits the authentication information 24 to another device (for example, the user terminal device 12) under the control of the control unit 28.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the user terminal device 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the user terminal device 12.

  The communication unit 30 is a communication interface, and has a function of transmitting data to other devices and a function of receiving data from other devices. The communication unit 30 has a short-range wireless communication function, for example. Of course, the communication unit 30 may have a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi communication or a wired communication function. Further, the communication unit 30 may have a function of transmitting and receiving data via a network such as the Internet or a LAN.

  The storage unit 32 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a memory, and stores, for example, various programs, various data, and the like. Of course, they may be stored in different storage devices, or may be stored in the same storage device. A dedicated application (program) for acquiring the authentication information 24 from the administrator terminal device 10 is installed in the user terminal device 12 in advance, and the dedicated application is stored in the storage unit 32 in advance.

  The UI unit 34 and the user interface unit include a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit is, for example, an input device such as a touch panel or a keyboard. Of course, the UI unit 34 may be a user interface having both functions of a display unit and an operation unit (for example, a display as a touch panel, a display that electronically displays a keyboard, or the like).

  The control unit 36 controls each unit of the user terminal device 12. The control unit 36 includes an administrator information acquisition unit 38, an authentication information acquisition unit 40, and a setting unit 42.

  The administrator information acquisition unit 38 acquires the administrator information 22 transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10. For example, the administrator information 22 is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 by broadcast using BLE, the communication unit 30 of the user terminal device 12 receives the administrator information 22, and the administrator information acquisition unit 38 performs communication. The administrator information 22 received by the unit 30 is acquired. The control unit 36 displays the administrator information 22 on the UI unit 34. As a result, the name and affiliation location (office name and floor name) of the manager are displayed on the UI unit 34. Further, the control unit 36 calculates the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 based on the signal strength of BLE, and causes the UI unit 34 to display information indicating the distance (distance information). Also good.

  The authentication information acquisition unit 40 transmits information indicating an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 to the administrator terminal device 10, and when the acquisition is permitted by the administrator terminal device 10, the authentication information 24 is stored in the administrator terminal device 10. Get from. For example, the control unit 36 causes the UI unit 34 to display an instruction reception screen for the user to instruct an acquisition request for the authentication information 24. When an acquisition request instruction is given by the user on the instruction reception screen, the authentication information acquisition unit 40 transmits information indicating the acquisition request to the administrator terminal device 10. Of course, even if the acquisition request is not instructed by the user, the authentication information acquisition unit 40 may automatically transmit information indicating the acquisition request to the administrator terminal device 10. Specifically, the communication unit 30 of the user terminal device 12 transmits information indicating an acquisition request to the administrator terminal device 10 by short-range wireless communication (NFC or Bluetooth). When the administrator terminal device 10 permits the acquisition of the authentication information 24, the authentication information 24 is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 by short-range wireless communication. The communication unit 30 of the user terminal device 12 receives the authentication information 24, and the authentication information acquisition unit 40 acquires the authentication information 24 received by the communication unit 30. Further, the authentication information acquisition unit 40 is configured such that the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 (for example, a distance calculated based on the BLE signal strength) is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. Information indicating an acquisition request may be transmitted to the administrator terminal device 10. The threshold may be changed by the user.

  The setting unit 42 sets whether or not the authentication information 24 acquisition process by the authentication information acquisition unit 40 is valid. For example, when the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is equal to or less than the above threshold, the setting unit 42 effectively sets the acquisition process of the authentication information 24 by the authentication information acquisition unit 40. . When the acquisition process is set to be valid, the authentication information acquisition unit 40 transmits information indicating an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 to the administrator terminal device 10. On the other hand, when the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 exceeds the threshold value, the setting unit 42 sets the authentication information 24 acquisition process by the authentication information acquisition unit 40 to be invalid. When the acquisition process is set to invalid, the authentication information acquisition unit 40 does not transmit information indicating an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 to the administrator terminal device 10. For example, in the case where an instruction acceptance screen for instructing the acquisition request of the authentication information 24 is displayed on the UI unit 34, the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is equal to or less than the threshold value. In such a case, the setting unit 42 effectively sets the user operation on the instruction reception screen. On the other hand, when the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 exceeds the threshold value, the setting unit 42 invalidates the user operation on the instruction reception screen. When the operation is set to be valid, the user's operation on the instruction reception screen is accepted. When the operation is set to be invalid, the user's operation on the instruction reception screen is not accepted. Note that the user terminal device 12 may not include the setting unit 42.

  The administrator information acquisition unit 38, the authentication information acquisition unit 40, and the setting unit 42 are realized by executing the dedicated application stored in the user terminal device 12, for example.

  When using the image forming apparatus 14, the communication unit 30 of the user terminal apparatus 12 transmits the authentication information 24 to the image forming apparatus 14 under the control of the control unit 36. Authentication using the authentication information 24 is performed by the authentication server 16, and when the authentication is successful, use of the image forming apparatus 14 is permitted. If the authentication fails, use of the image forming apparatus 14 is not permitted.

  When the authentication information acquisition unit 40 acquires the authentication information 24, the setting unit 42 sets the operation for using the image forming apparatus 14 to be valid, and the authentication information acquisition unit 40 does not acquire the authentication information 24. In this case, the operation for using the image forming apparatus 14 may be set to be invalid. For example, when the setting unit 42 displays a menu screen showing a list of image forming functions of the image forming apparatus 14 on the UI unit 34 and the authentication information acquisition unit 40 acquires the authentication information 24, the setting unit 42 operates the menu screen. May be set to be valid. Thereby, a user operation on the menu screen is accepted. On the other hand, if the authentication information 24 is not acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit 40, the setting unit 42 sets the operation on the menu screen to be invalid.

  Hereinafter, the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen on which the administrator information 22 is displayed. This screen 44 corresponds to an example of an instruction reception screen, and is displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12. When the administrator information 22 is acquired by the administrator information acquisition unit 38, the control unit 36 of the user terminal device 12 displays the screen 44 on the UI unit 34. On the screen 44, the administrator information 22 acquired by the administrator information acquisition unit 38 is displayed. In the display field 46 in the screen 44, as an example of the administrator information 22, an administrator name (XXX) and an administrator's whereabouts (YYY) are displayed. Of course, other information related to the administrator may be displayed. In addition, information indicating the distance (ZZZ (m)) between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is displayed. Further, a button image 48 for instructing an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 is displayed on the screen 44. When the button image 48 is pressed by the user, information indicating an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 is transmitted from the user terminal device 12 to the administrator terminal device 10 by short-range wireless communication such as NFC or Bluetooth. When the administrator terminal device 10 permits the acquisition, the authentication information 24 is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user terminal device 12 by short-range wireless communication. Of course, the button image 48 may not be displayed on the screen 44. In this case, information indicating an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 is automatically transmitted from the user terminal device 12 to the administrator terminal device 10 by short-range wireless communication. For example, when the user terminal device 12 is within the range of short-range wireless communication with the position of the administrator terminal device 10 as a reference, information indicating an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 is automatically transmitted.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, one piece of administrator information 22 is acquired and displayed on the screen 44. However, when a plurality of pieces of administrator information 22 are obtained, the plurality of pieces of administrator information 22 are displayed on the screen 44. Is displayed.

  When the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is equal to or less than the threshold value, the setting unit 42 sets the user operation on the screen 44 to be effective, and the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12. When the distance between and exceeds the threshold, the user's operation on the screen 44 may be set to be invalid. Thereby, when the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is equal to or less than the threshold value, an acquisition request instruction from the user is accepted.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen for instructing permission or non-permission of acquisition of authentication information. This screen 50 is displayed on the UI unit 26 of the administrator terminal device 10. When information indicating an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 is transmitted from the user terminal device 12 and received by the administrator terminal device 10, the control unit 28 of the administrator terminal device 10 displays a screen 50 on the UI unit 26. On the screen 50, for example, information indicating that the acquisition request for the authentication information 24 has been received is displayed, and a button image 52 for permitting the acquisition and a button image 54 for not permitting the acquisition are displayed. Is done. When the administrator pushes the button image 52, that is, when the administrator is permitted to acquire the authentication information 24, the authentication information 24 is transferred from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user by short-range wireless communication such as NFC or Bluetooth. It is transmitted to the terminal device 12. On the other hand, when the button image 54 is pressed by the administrator, that is, when the acquisition of the authentication information 24 is not permitted by the administrator, information indicating that the acquisition is not permitted is received from the administrator terminal device 10 by the short-range wireless communication. It is transmitted to the user terminal device 12. In this case, information (for example, an error message) indicating that acquisition of the authentication information 24 is not permitted is displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12.

  Note that the control unit 28 of the administrator terminal device 10 sets the administrator's operation on the screen 50 to be effective and manages when the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is equal to or less than the threshold. When the distance between the person terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 exceeds the threshold, the user's operation on the screen 50 may be set to be invalid. Thereby, when the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, a permission instruction from the administrator is accepted.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the menu screen. The menu screen 56 is displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12. The menu screen 56 is a screen showing a list of image forming functions of the image forming apparatus 14, and an image forming function (for example, printing, copying, scanning, etc.) to be executed by the image forming apparatus 14 is designated on the menu screen 56. Is done. For example, the control unit 36 of the user terminal device 12 displays the menu screen 56 on the UI unit 34 by executing a dedicated application installed in the user terminal device 12. For example, a button image 58 for instructing printing, a button image 60 for instructing scanning, a button image 62 for instructing copying, and the like are displayed on the menu screen 56.

  When the user presses the button image 58, the control unit 36 causes the UI unit 34 to display a print setting screen. The user designates the image forming apparatus 14 that performs printing and the data to be printed on the setting screen. When valid information is input on the setting screen, the operation for the button image (button image displayed on the setting screen) for instructing the start of printing becomes valid (a state in which pressing of the button image is accepted) become). When the authentication information 24 is acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit 40, when the user gives an instruction to start printing, that is, when the button image is pressed by the user, execution instruction information including data to be printed ( For example, job information) and authentication information 24 are transmitted from the user terminal apparatus 12 to the designated image forming apparatus 14. If the authentication using the authentication information 24 is successful, the designated image forming apparatus 14 performs printing according to the execution instruction information. If the authentication fails, the printing is not performed. If the authentication information acquisition unit 40 has not acquired the authentication information 24, the execution instruction information is not transmitted from the user terminal device 12 to the designated image forming apparatus 14 even if a print start instruction is given by the user. As another example, when a print start instruction is given by the user, execution instruction information may be transmitted from the user terminal apparatus 12 to the designated image forming apparatus 14. In this case, since the authentication information 24 is not transmitted, the authentication fails, and printing according to the execution instruction information is not executed.

  When the user presses the button image 60, the control unit 36 causes the UI unit 34 to display a scan setting screen. On the setting screen, the user designates the image forming apparatus 14 that performs scanning. Valid information is input on the setting screen, and the operation on the button image (button image displayed on the setting screen) for using the scan is enabled (the button image is ready to be pressed). . When the authentication information 24 is acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit 40, when an instruction to use scanning is given by the user, that is, when the button image is pressed by the user, the authentication information 24 is designated from the user terminal device 12. Sent to the image forming apparatus 14 that has been processed. When the authentication using the authentication information 24 is successful, the use of the scan function is permitted in the designated image forming apparatus 14, and when the authentication fails, the use of the scan function is not permitted. When the authentication information 24 is not acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit 40, the use of the scan function is not permitted in the image forming apparatus 14 even if an instruction to use the scan is given by the user.

  When the user presses the button image 62, the control unit 36 causes the UI unit 34 to display a copy setting screen. The user designates the image forming apparatus 14 that performs copying on the setting screen. When valid information is input on the setting screen, the operation for the button image (button image displayed on the setting screen) for using the copy becomes valid (the button image can be pressed). Become). When the authentication information 24 is acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit 40, when the user gives an instruction to use a copy, that is, when the button image is pressed by the user, the authentication information 24 is designated from the user terminal device 12. Sent to the image forming apparatus 14 that has been processed. When the authentication using the authentication information 24 is successful, the use of the copy function is permitted in the designated image forming apparatus 14, and when the authentication fails, the use of the copy function is not permitted. When the authentication information 24 is not acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit 40, the use of the copy function is not permitted in the image forming apparatus 14 even if an instruction to use the copy is given by the user.

  When the authentication information 24 is acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit 40, the setting unit 42 sets the operation for the menu screen 56 to be valid, and when the authentication information acquisition unit 40 does not acquire the authentication information 24, the menu screen The operation for 56 may be invalidated. That is, when the authentication information 24 is acquired, an operation on the menu screen 56 may be set to be accepted, and when the authentication information 24 is not acquired, an operation on the menu screen 56 may be set not to be accepted. .

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation.

  First, the administrator uses the UI unit 26 of the administrator terminal device 10 to give an instruction to start a dedicated application. As a result, the dedicated application is activated in the administrator terminal device 10. Next, the administrator inputs the administrator information 22 using the UI unit 26. When the administrator information 22 is input, the administrator terminal device 10 continues to transmit the administrator information 22 by broadcast using, for example, BLE (S01). The administrator information 22 may be stored in the administrator terminal device 10 in advance.

  On the other hand, when using the image forming apparatus 14, the user who is not given the authentication information 24 gives an instruction to start a dedicated application using the UI unit 34 of the user terminal apparatus 12. As a result, the dedicated application is activated in the user terminal device 12, and the search for the manager starts (S02). Specifically, the administrator information acquisition unit 38 of the user terminal device 12 acquires the administrator information 22 transmitted using BLE (S03). Note that the communication range by broadcast using BLE is, for example, a range having a radius of about 20 m with the administrator terminal device 10 as the center. Of course, the communication range varies depending on the communication performance and the communication environment. When the user terminal device 12 exists within the communication range, the administrator information acquisition unit 38 acquires the administrator information 22.

  When the administrator information 22 is acquired by the administrator information acquisition unit 38, the control unit 36 of the user terminal device 12 displays the administrator information 22 on the UI unit 34 (S04). As a result, the administrator to whom the authentication information 24 is given is specified for the user. Further, the control unit 36 calculates the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 based on the signal strength of BLE, and causes the UI unit 34 to display information indicating the distance (distance information). Thereby, in the user, the positional relationship between the user and the administrator is specified. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the screen 44 is displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12, and the administrator information 22 is displayed on the screen 44.

  When there are a plurality of administrators (a plurality of administrator terminal devices 10), each administrator terminal device 10 continues to transmit the administrator information 22 stored in its own device by broadcast using BLE. . When the user terminal device 12 exists in the communication range of each administrator terminal device 10, the administrator information acquisition unit 38 of the user terminal device 12 acquires the administrator information 22 from each administrator terminal device 10. Further, the control unit 36 of the user terminal device 12 calculates the distance between the user terminal device 12 and the administrator terminal device 10 for each administrator terminal device 10. When a plurality of administrator information 22 is acquired by the administrator information acquisition unit 38, the plurality of administrator information 22 is displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12. In this case, the user selects an administrator who is the acquisition request destination of the authentication information 24 from among a plurality of administrators. As an example, the manager information 22 of each of the managers A and B is acquired, and the manager information 22 of the manager A and the manager information 22 of the manager B are displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12. Assume that the administrator A is selected by the user as the administrator who is the acquisition request destination of the authentication information 24.

  The user requests the manager A to obtain the authentication information 24 (S05). That is, the authentication information acquisition unit 40 of the user terminal device 12 transmits information indicating an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 to the administrator terminal device 10 used by the administrator A by short-range wireless communication. As a communication means used for acquiring the authentication information 24, a communication means having a narrower communication range may be used. For example, the authentication information acquisition unit 40 transmits information indicating an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 to the administrator terminal device 10 of the administrator A by NFC. In order for the information indicating the acquisition request of the authentication information 24 to be received by the administrator terminal device 10, up to a distance where the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 are included within the NFC communication range, that is, the user terminal device. The user approaches the administrator up to a distance at which 12 can communicate with the administrator terminal device 10 by NFC. Since the communication range of NFC is generally a range of about 10 cm, the user approaches the administrator until the distance between the user terminal device 12 and the administrator terminal device 10 becomes such a distance. . Therefore, since the partner (user) to whom the authentication information 24 is given is clearly specified in the administrator, the administrator confirms the partner and then permits or does not grant the authentication information 24. Judgment will be made. By actually confirming the other party to whom the authentication information 24 is given, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not to grant the authentication information 24 than when not actually confirming the other party who gives the authentication information 24, The security of the authentication information 24 is improved. That is, the administrator does not have to give the authentication information 24 to the other party (user) who should not give the authentication information 24. In this way, the security of the authentication information 24 is improved by using communication means (for example, NFC) that brings the partner closer to the administrator to a distance at which the administrator can confirm the partner (user).

  Note that the authentication information acquisition unit 40 of the user terminal device 12 displays information indicating an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 when the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is equal to or less than a threshold. When the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is transmitted to the terminal device 10 and exceeds the threshold, information indicating an acquisition request for the authentication information 24 may not be transmitted to the administrator terminal device 10. . Thereby, in order for the information indicating the acquisition request of the authentication information 24 to be transmitted, the user approaches the administrator until the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is equal to or less than the threshold value. Become. Therefore, as in the situation described above, the administrator (participant) to whom the authentication information 24 is given can be clearly specified, so that the security of the authentication information 24 is improved. Similarly, the setting unit 42 of the user terminal device 12 displays the screen 44 (instruction reception screen) shown in FIG. 4 when the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is equal to or less than the threshold. ) May be set to be valid, and if the distance exceeds the threshold, the user operation on the screen 44 may be set to be invalid. Thus, in order for the user to instruct the acquisition request of the authentication information 24 on the screen 44, the user approaches the administrator until the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is equal to or less than the threshold value. It will be. Therefore, as in the situation described above, the administrator (participant) to whom the authentication information 24 is given can be clearly specified, so that the security of the authentication information 24 is improved.

  The administrator who has received the acquisition request for the authentication information 24 determines whether or not to give the authentication information 24 to the user (S06).

  For example, the screen 50 illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on the UI unit 26 of the administrator terminal device 10. When the administrator selects non-permission, information indicating that the acquisition of the authentication information 24 is not permitted (non-permission notification) is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user terminal device 12 (S07). Information (for example, an error message) indicating that acquisition of the authentication information 24 is not permitted is displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12 (S08).

  On the other hand, when the administrator selects permission, the authentication information 24 is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user terminal device 12 (S09), and the user terminal device 12 receives the authentication information 24 (S10). For example, the menu screen 56 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12, and the authentication information 24 is acquired, so that the operation on the menu screen 56 is set to be valid (S11). .

  In addition, when BLE is used as a communication means for transmitting the authentication information 24, the screen 50 is displayed on the UI unit 26 of the administrator terminal device 10, and authentication is performed according to the permission or non-permission of the administrator. The information 24 or the disapproval notice may be transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user terminal device 12. When NFC is used as a communication means for transmitting the authentication information 24, when the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 are arranged within the NFC communication range, the authentication information 24 is stored in the administrator terminal. It may be automatically transmitted from the device 10 to the user terminal device 12.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the user terminal device 12 has acquired the authentication information 24.

  When the user selects printing on the menu screen 56 using the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12, a setting screen for printing is displayed on the UI unit 34. On the setting screen, the user designates the image forming apparatus 14 that performs printing and the data to be printed. When an instruction to start printing is given by the user, execution instruction information including data to be printed and authentication information 24 are transmitted from the user terminal apparatus 12 to the designated image forming apparatus 14 (S12). Note that the data to be printed may be stored in the user terminal device 12, or may be stored in another device such as a server on the cloud. When data to be printed is stored in another apparatus, the data to be printed is transmitted from the other apparatus to the image forming apparatus 14. Further, when the user inputs information (device identification information) for identifying the image forming apparatus 14 such as an IP address set in the image forming apparatus 14, the image forming apparatus 14 to be printed is designated. Also good. As another example, the image forming apparatus 14 is searched using a known search function, and a list of information for identifying the searched image forming apparatus 14 is displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal apparatus 12. The user may specify the image forming apparatus 14 that performs printing from the list.

  When the user selects scan or copy on the menu screen 56 using the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12, a setting screen for scanning or printing is displayed on the UI unit 34. The user designates the image forming apparatus 14 that performs scanning or copying on the setting screen. When the user gives an instruction to use scanning or copying, the authentication information 24 is transmitted from the user terminal apparatus 12 to the designated image forming apparatus 14 (S12).

  The image forming apparatus 14 that has received the authentication information 24 requests the authentication server 16 to confirm the validity of the authentication information 24. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 14 transmits the authentication information 24 to the authentication server 16 via a communication path such as the Internet or a LAN (S13). The authentication server 16 performs authentication using the authentication information 24 (S14). For example, authentication information issued in advance is stored in the authentication server 16, and the authentication server 16 collates the authentication information issued in advance with the authentication information 24 transmitted from the image forming apparatus 14. Note that the authentication may be performed by the image forming apparatus 14.

  When the authentication fails (for example, when both pieces of authentication information do not match or when there is no correspondence between the two pieces of authentication information), information indicating that the authentication has failed is transmitted from the authentication server 16 to the image forming apparatus 14. (S15). The image forming apparatus 14 includes a UI unit (user interface unit), and information (for example, an error message) indicating that the authentication has failed is displayed on the UI unit (S16). Information indicating that the authentication has failed may be transmitted from the image forming apparatus 14 or the authentication server 16 to the user terminal apparatus 12 and displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal apparatus 12.

  When the authentication is successful (for example, when both pieces of authentication information match or when there is a correspondence relationship between the two pieces of authentication information), information indicating that the authentication is successful is transmitted from the authentication server 16 to the image forming apparatus 14. (S17). In this case, the image forming apparatus 14 executes an image forming process designated by the user (S18). For example, when printing is designated by the user and data to be printed is sent to the image forming apparatus 14, the image forming apparatus 14 performs printing based on the data to be printed. When scanning or copying is designated by the user, use of the scanning function or copying function is permitted in the image forming apparatus 14. For example, a menu screen for designating an image forming function is displayed on the UI unit of the image forming apparatus 14, and an item (for example, a button image) for using the scan function or the copy function is displayed on the menu screen. The operation is enabled. That is, on the menu screen, the image forming apparatus 14 accepts an operation for an item for using the scan function or the copy function. As a result, the user is permitted to use the scan function or the copy function in the image forming apparatus 14.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the administrator information 22 is transmitted to the user terminal device 12, the administrator who is given the authentication information 24 is specified for a user who does not have the authentication information 24. Information to do this is provided. Thereby, the administrator to whom the authentication information 24 is given is specified for the user, and the authentication information 24 is acquired from the administrator. Further, near field communication (for example, NFC or Bluetooth) is used as a communication means for transmitting and receiving the authentication information 24 between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12. In order to acquire the authentication information 24, the user approaches the administrator up to a distance where the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 are included in the short-range wireless communication range. Therefore, since the other party (user) to whom the authentication information 24 is given is clearly specified by the administrator, the determination of permission or non-permission of the grant of the authentication information 24 is made more accurately, and the security of the authentication information 24 is improved. To do. When NFC is used for short-range wireless communication, it is necessary to bring the user terminal device 12 closer to the administrator terminal device 10 as compared to Bluetooth, so that the partner to whom the authentication information 24 is given is specified more clearly by the administrator. The Thereby, the security of the authentication information 24 further improves. Further, by displaying the distance to the manager, the positional relationship between the user and the manager is specified for the user.

  The authentication information 24 transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 may be temporary authentication information. For example, when the number of times the user uses the authentication information 24 (for example, the number of times the image forming apparatus 14 has been instructed to perform image forming processing) is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, the authentication information 24 is stored in the user terminal device 12. May be deleted. As another example, when the number of times of use is equal to or greater than a threshold, the use of the authentication information 24 by the user may be prohibited.

  Depending on the temporary authentication information, the image forming function permitted to be used by the user may be different. For example, temporary authentication information and information indicating an image forming function permitted to be used by the temporary authentication information are associated in advance. A user who has acquired temporary authentication information is allowed to use the image forming function associated with the temporary authentication information, and the use of the image forming function not associated with the temporary authentication information is prohibited. It is forbidden. A specific example will be described. When information indicating a print function is associated with temporary authentication information, the user who has acquired the temporary authentication information is permitted to use the print function of the image forming apparatus 14. Is done.

  As another example, the image forming apparatus 14 permitted to be used by the user may be different according to the temporary authentication information. For example, temporary authentication information is associated in advance with information for identifying the image forming apparatus 14 permitted to be used by the temporary authentication information. The user who acquired the temporary authentication information is permitted to use the image forming apparatus 14 associated with the temporary authentication information, and the user of the image forming apparatus 14 not associated with the temporary authentication information. Use is prohibited.

  The first communication means for transmitting / receiving the administrator information 22 may be different from the second communication means for transmitting / receiving the authentication information 24. For example, a communication unit having a communication range narrower than that of the first communication unit may be used as the second communication unit. Specifically, BLE may be used as the first communication means and NFC may be used as the second communication means. By using BLE as the first communication means, the administrator information 22 is transmitted in a wider range compared to the case of using NFC as the first communication means, so that the position is further away from the administrator. Administrator information 22 is also provided to the user. Also, by using NFC as the second communication means, in order for the user to obtain the authentication information 24, the user needs to be closer to the administrator than when using BLE as the second communication means. Therefore, the partner (user) to which the authentication information 24 is given is specified more clearly by the administrator. Therefore, the security of the authentication information 24 is further improved.

  The determination may be automatically performed without determining whether or not the administrator gives the authentication information 24 to the user. For example, the administrator captures the face of the user who has requested acquisition of the authentication information 24 with a camera. The camera may be provided in the administrator terminal device 10 or may be a camera that is not provided in the administrator terminal device 10. Image data (image data representing a user's face) generated by the shooting is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to a verification device (not shown). The collation apparatus includes an image database, and image data representing the face of the user permitted to acquire the authentication information 24 is stored in advance in the image database. For example, when the user is a visitor to the office, the user is photographed at the time of visit, and image data obtained by the photographing is registered in the image database. The collation device collates the image data transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 with the image data registered in the image database, and transmits the collation result to the administrator terminal device 10. When the collation is successful, that is, image data representing a person who is assumed to be the same person as the person identified from the image data transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 is registered in the image database. In this case, acquisition of the authentication information 24 by the user is permitted. In this case, the authentication information 24 is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user terminal device 12. When image matching fails, that is, image data representing a person who is assumed to be the same person as the person identified from the image data transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 is registered in the image database. If not, acquisition of the authentication information 24 by the user is not permitted. In this case, information such as an error message is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user terminal device 12.

  User identification information such as a user name and ID may be used as information other than the image. In this case, the administrator acquires the user identification information of the user from the user who has requested acquisition of the authentication information 24. The user identification information is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to a verification device (not shown). The collation apparatus includes a user database, and user identification information of a user who is permitted to acquire the authentication information 24 is stored in advance in the user database. For example, when the user is a visitor to the office, the user identification information of the user is registered in the user database at the time of the visit. The collation device collates the user identification information transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 with the user identification information registered in the user database, and transmits the collation result to the administrator terminal device 10. When the collation is successful, that is, when the user identification information transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 is registered in the user database, the user is permitted to acquire the authentication information 24. In this case, the authentication information 24 is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user terminal device 12. If the verification of the user identification information fails, that is, if the user identification information transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 is not registered in the user database, acquisition of the authentication information 24 by the user is not permitted. In this case, information such as an error message is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user terminal device 12.

  When there are a plurality of managers, the managers may communicate with each other. For example, when a certain administrator does not permit the acquisition of the authentication information 24 by the user, the administrator may contact the other administrator, and the other administrator may permit it. In this case, the authentication information 24 is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 of the other administrator to the user terminal device 12.

(Modification)
Hereinafter, an image forming system according to a modification will be described. In the modified example, when the administrator is permitted to give authentication information to the user, the authentication server 16 issues temporary authentication information. The temporary authentication information may be authentication information that is limited in the number of times of use as described above, may be authentication information that is permitted to use only a specific image forming function, Authentication information that permits use of only the image forming apparatus 14 may also be used.

  The operation of the image forming system according to the modification will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the operation.

  First, as in the above-described embodiment, the administrator activates a dedicated application on the administrator terminal device 10 and inputs the administrator information 22 using the UI unit 26 of the administrator terminal device 10. When the administrator information 22 is input, the administrator terminal device 10 continues to transmit the administrator information 22 by broadcast using, for example, BLE (S20).

  A user who is not given authentication information activates a dedicated application on the user terminal device 12. Thereby, the search for the manager starts (S21). Specifically, the administrator information acquisition unit 38 of the user terminal device 12 receives the administrator information 22 transmitted using BLE (S22).

  When the administrator information 22 is acquired by the administrator information acquisition unit 38, the control unit 36 of the user terminal device 12 displays the administrator information 22 on the UI unit 34 (S23). Further, the control unit 36 calculates the distance between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 based on the signal strength of BLE, and causes the UI unit 34 to display information indicating the distance (distance information). When there are a plurality of managers (a plurality of manager terminal devices 10), the manager information 22 and the distance information of each manager are displayed as in the above-described embodiment. Similarly to the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the administrator A is selected by the user when the administrators A and B exist.

  The user requests the manager A to acquire temporary authentication information (S24). That is, the authentication information acquisition unit 40 of the user terminal device 12 transmits information indicating a temporary authentication information acquisition request to the administrator terminal device 10 of the administrator A by BLE or NFC.

  Upon receiving the temporary authentication information acquisition request, the administrator determines whether to give temporary authentication information to the user (S25).

  For example, the screen 50 illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on the UI unit 26 of the administrator terminal device 10. When the administrator selects non-permission, information indicating that temporary authentication information acquisition is not permitted (non-permission notification) is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user terminal device 12 (S26). Information (for example, an error message) indicating that acquisition of temporary authentication information is not permitted is displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12 (S27).

  On the other hand, when the administrator selects permission, the administrator terminal device 10 requests the authentication server 16 to issue temporary authentication information (S28). In this case, information indicating the request is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the authentication server 16. Upon receiving the request, the authentication server 16 issues temporary authentication information (S29), and transmits the temporary authentication information to the administrator terminal device 10 (S30). Receiving the temporary authentication information, the administrator terminal device 10 transmits the temporary authentication information to the user terminal device 12 (S31), and the user terminal device 12 receives the temporary authentication information (S32). For example, a menu screen 56 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the UI unit 34 of the user terminal device 12, and operation for the menu screen 56 is effectively set by acquiring temporary authentication information (see FIG. 6). S33).

  As in the above-described embodiment, when BLE is used as a communication means for temporarily transmitting authentication information, the screen 50 is displayed on the UI unit 26 of the administrator terminal device 10 and the administrator's Depending on permission or disapproval, temporary authentication information or disapproval notification may be transmitted to the user terminal device 12. That is, when permitted by the administrator, information indicating a temporary authentication information issuance request is transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the authentication server 16, and the temporary authentication information issued by the authentication server 16 is It is transmitted to the user terminal device 12 via the administrator terminal device 10. When NFC is used as a communication means for transmitting temporary authentication information, the administrator terminal device 10 transmits information indicating a temporary authentication information issuance request to the authentication server 16 and issues the issuance request. In response, temporary authentication information is received from the authentication server 16. When the administrator terminal device 10 receives temporary authentication information, information indicating that temporary authentication information can be given is displayed on the UI unit 26 of the administrator terminal device 10. In this state, when the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 are arranged within the NFC communication range, temporary authentication information is automatically transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 to the user terminal device 12. .

  In the following description, it is assumed that the user terminal device 12 has acquired temporary authentication information.

  When the user selects printing on the menu screen 56, designates the image forming apparatus 14 to perform printing and data to be printed, and gives an instruction to start printing, execution instruction information including the data to be printed and temporary authentication are given. Information is transmitted from the user terminal device 12 to the designated image forming apparatus 14 (S34).

  When the user selects scan or copy on the menu screen 56, designates the image forming apparatus 14 that performs the scan or copy, and gives an instruction to use the scan or copy, temporary authentication information is designated from the user terminal apparatus 12. The image is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 14 (S34).

  Upon receiving the temporary authentication information, the image forming apparatus 14 requests the authentication server 16 to confirm the validity of the temporary authentication information. For example, the image forming apparatus 14 transmits temporary authentication information to the authentication server 16 via a communication path such as the Internet or a LAN (S35). The authentication server 16 performs authentication using the temporary authentication information (S36). Temporary authentication information issued in advance is stored in the authentication server 16, and the authentication server 16 includes the temporary authentication information issued in advance and the temporary authentication information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 14. Is matched.

  When the authentication fails (for example, when both pieces of authentication information do not match or when there is no correspondence between the two pieces of authentication information), information indicating that the authentication has failed is transmitted from the authentication server 16 to the image forming apparatus 14. (S37). Information (for example, an error message) indicating that the authentication has failed is displayed on the UI unit of the image forming apparatus 14 (S38).

  When the authentication is successful (for example, when both pieces of authentication information match or when there is a correspondence relationship between the two pieces of authentication information), information indicating that the authentication is successful is transmitted from the authentication server 16 to the image forming apparatus 14. (S39). In this case, the image forming apparatus 14 executes an image forming process designated by the user (S40). For example, when printing is designated by the user and data to be printed is sent to the image forming apparatus 14, the image forming apparatus 14 performs printing based on the data to be printed. When scanning or copying is designated by the user, use of the scanning function or copying function is permitted in the image forming apparatus 14.

  As described above, according to the modification, information for specifying an administrator who has the authority to issue temporary authentication information is provided to a user who does not have authentication information. As a result, an administrator who has the authority to issue temporary authentication information for the user is specified, and temporary authentication information for using the image forming apparatus 14 is acquired. In addition, since short-range wireless communication (for example, NFC or Bluetooth) is used as a communication means for transmitting and receiving temporary authentication information between the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12, the administrator temporarily The other party (user) who gives the specific authentication information is clearly identified. As a result, the determination of permission or non-permission of temporary authentication information is more accurately performed, so that the security of temporary authentication information is improved.

  Note that another apparatus may issue temporary authentication information without the authentication server 16 issuing temporary authentication information. In this case, the administrator terminal device 10 requests the other device to issue temporary authentication information. In response to the request, the other device transmits temporary authentication information to the administrator terminal device 10. Further, the other apparatus transmits the temporary authentication information to the authentication server 16. As described above, the authentication server 16 performs authentication by collating both pieces of authentication information.

  Also in the modification, the same authentication information as the authentication information possessed by the administrator may be given to the user instead of temporary authentication information.

  Each of the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is realized by cooperation of hardware resources and software as an example. Specifically, each of the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 includes one or more processors such as a CPU (not shown). The function of each part of the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 is realized by the one or more processors reading and executing a program stored in a storage device (not shown). The program is stored in the storage device via a recording medium such as a CD or DVD, or via a communication path such as a network. As another example, each unit of the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 may be realized by hardware resources such as a processor and an electronic circuit. In the realization, a device such as a memory may be used. As another example, each part of the administrator terminal device 10 and the user terminal device 12 may be realized by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Administrator terminal device, 12 User terminal device, 14 Image forming apparatus, 16 Authentication server, 22 Administrator information, 24 Authentication information, 38 Administrator information acquisition part, 40 Authentication information acquisition part, 42 Setting part

Claims (7)

An administrator information acquisition means for acquiring information about an administrator who is given authentication information for using the device;
Display control means for displaying information on the manager on a display means;
Authentication information acquisition for requesting acquisition of the authentication information to an external device used by the administrator specified by information related to the administrator, and acquiring the authentication information from the external device when the acquisition is permitted Means,
An information processing apparatus. The display control means further causes the display means to display information indicating a distance between the information processing apparatus and the external device;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The authentication information acquisition means requests the external device to acquire the authentication information when the distance between the information processing device and the external device is equal to or less than a preset threshold value.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. The display control means further causes the display means to display an instruction reception screen for the user to instruct an acquisition request for the authentication information,
The information processing apparatus
Setting means for setting the user's operation on the instruction reception screen to be valid when the distance is less than or equal to the threshold, and setting the user's operation to the instruction reception screen to be invalid when the distance exceeds the threshold. In addition,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3. The administrator information acquisition means acquires information about the administrator from the external device by the first communication means,
The authentication information acquisition unit requests the external device to acquire the authentication information by a second communication unit that forms a communication range narrower than the communication range formed by the first communication unit, and the acquisition is permitted. If the authentication information is acquired from the external device,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. The communication by the first communication means is short-range wireless communication,
The communication by the second communication means is short-range wireless communication that forms a communication range narrower than the communication range formed by the first communication means.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. Computer
Administrator information acquisition means for acquiring information related to an administrator who has been given authentication information for using the device,
Display control means for displaying information on the manager on the display means;
Authentication information acquisition for requesting acquisition of the authentication information to an external device used by the administrator specified by information related to the administrator, and acquiring the authentication information from the external device when the acquisition is permitted Means,
Program to function as.

Images