JP2019016854A - Use upper limit management device, use upper limit management system, and use upper limit management program - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately manage upper limit for use of an image forming apparatus or teh like.SOLUTION: A use upper limit management device for managing a usage upper limit of a user with respect to a management target device includes a use result value calculation unit that calculates a usage amount of a management target device by a user and an upper limit determining unit that determines whether to accept or reject use of a function of the managed device when the user newly uses the function with reference to the usage result value obtained by accumulating and adding the usage amount calculated by the use result value calculation unit, and the upper limit determining unit determines whether to accept or reject use of the function on the basis of the result obtained by comparing, for each group, a limit value for limiting the number of times of use of the management target device to be set for each group to which te user belongs and a use result value of the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a usage upper limit management apparatus, a usage upper limit management system, and a usage upper limit management program.

  An MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) that is a management target device and a management server that manages the usage amount of the MFP by the user. An information processing system (utilization upper limit management system) configured by connecting them to a communication network is known.

  The MFP constituting the use upper limit management system has a function for preventing inappropriate use by the user. For example, there are a function for authenticating the legitimacy of the user and a function for confirming with the management server that the usage limit number of the user is not exceeded. In the use upper limit management system including the MFP, the limit value of the number of use of the MFP is set as the “upper limit value” in the management server. The upper limit value is set for each user, and the setting work is performed by the administrator. Therefore, when the number of users increases, the work for the administrator becomes complicated. Therefore, as a technique for reducing the setting work for the administrator, a technique for setting the use limit number (upper limit value) for each group to which the user belongs is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In recent years, with the diversification of work systems in companies, one employee (user) may belong to a plurality of departments or projects. In this case, if the use limit number of MFPs is managed in units of groups using the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the following problems occur. That is, when a user who belongs to a plurality of groups tries to use the MFP newly, in order to determine whether or not the number of uses by the user exceeds the use limit number, the value set in any group It is not possible to properly determine whether or not to use. Therefore, the prior art has a problem in appropriately managing the use of the device by users who belong to a plurality of groups simultaneously.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a use upper limit management apparatus that can appropriately manage the use of a management target apparatus based on an upper limit value set for each group even for users belonging to a plurality of groups. Objective.

  In order to solve the above problem, an aspect of the present invention is a usage upper limit management device that manages a user usage upper limit for a management target device, and calculates a usage record value calculation that calculates a user usage amount for the management target device. And an upper limit for determining whether or not the user newly uses the function included in the management target device with reference to the usage result value obtained by accumulating the usage amount calculated by the usage result value calculation unit. A determination unit, and the upper limit determination unit sets, for each group, a limit value for limiting the number of uses of the management target device set for each group to which the user belongs and the usage result value of the user. The use permission / refusal is determined based on a result of comparison with the above.

  According to the present invention, even users belonging to a plurality of groups can appropriately manage the use of managed devices based on the upper limit value set for each group.

1 is a system diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an upper limit management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of the authentication server, log management server, and upper limit management server which concern on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the user information used for the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the card information used for the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the log information used for the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the upper limit information used for the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the utilization track record information used for the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the conversion rule information used for the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the flow of the use upper limit management process in the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the flow of the point value accumulation process in the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows another example of the flow of the use upper limit management process in the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows another example of the flow of the use upper limit management process in the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows another example of the flow of the use upper limit management process in the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of a process in the upper limit management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the flow of a process in the upper limit management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the flow of the process in the upper limit management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the flow of the process in the upper limit management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the determination condition information used for the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows another example of the flow of the use upper limit management process in the upper limit management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the flow of the process in the upper limit management apparatus which concerns on this invention.

[Outline of the present invention]
The use upper limit management apparatus according to the present invention provides a function of appropriately managing the number of times a user is used in a management target apparatus. The usage upper limit management system according to the present invention includes at least the usage upper limit management device according to the present invention, a management target device, and an authentication management device having a function of authenticating a user's usage authority for the device. The utilization upper limit management system according to the present invention is configured by connecting these devices to a communication network. Examples of management target devices applicable to the use upper limit management device and the use upper limit management system according to the present invention include an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) and an LP (Laser Printer). However, the management target device is not limited to these. The usage upper limit management system according to the present invention may include a log management device that stores and manages the usage history of the management target device for each user.

[System configuration of upper limit management system 1]
Hereinafter, embodiments of a use upper limit management apparatus, a use upper limit management system, and a use upper limit management program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an overall configuration of an upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the upper limit management system 1 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 corresponding to management target apparatuses, an upper limit management server 200 corresponding to a use upper limit management apparatus, an authentication server 300 corresponding to an authentication management apparatus, a log A log management server 400 corresponding to a management apparatus is connected to a network 500 so as to communicate with each other. The network 500 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). Note that the network 500 is not limited as long as it can connect devices (servers) and can communicate with each other, and a method suitable for the operation mode can be used as appropriate.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is an MFP, for example, and provides a function according to a user request. For example, when the user requests “print processing”, the requested print job is executed. Instead of the image forming apparatus 100, an image processing apparatus that realizes a predetermined function in response to a user request may be used. For example, various electronic devices such as a scanner, a projector, an electronic blackboard, a digital signage, and a game device may be used. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment may be any device that can execute a job requested by a user and perform processing described below in cooperation with the upper limit management server 200.

  When each user uses the image forming apparatus 100, the upper limit management server 200 calculates a value used for determining whether the upper limit of the usage amount in each group of the user is exceeded from the usage amount. The upper limit management server 200 manages use approval / disapproval of the user based on the accumulated value (usage record value) of the usage amount for each group for each user and the usage limit value for each group. That is, the upper limit management server 200 permits the use of the management target device unless the usage amount of each user in each group exceeds the usage limit value in the group. More specifically, when the user newly tries to use a function (printing, copying, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 100, the upper limit management server 200 uses that function as “information for becoming available” or “use”. Provides a function to send “information for maintaining an incapable state”. In the following description, “information for enabling use” is expressed as “use permission information”, and “information for maintaining an unusable state” is expressed as “use non-permission information”. Use permission information and use non-permission information indicate whether or not the user approves the use of the management target device anew.

  The image forming apparatus 100 for which usage management is performed in the upper limit management server 200 makes the function desired by the user available or unavailable based on the “usage permission information” and “usage non-permission information”. The usage limit value managed by the upper limit management server 200 for each group can be selected and set from a plurality of types according to the usage limitation mode of the management target device.

  In the upper limit management server 200, the usage result value used for the excess determination with respect to the usage limit value is referred to as “cumulative point value”. The accumulated point value is obtained by accumulating values (point values) calculated based on information indicating the usage amount when the user uses the image forming apparatus 100 that is a management target apparatus. When calculating the point value from the usage amount, a coefficient based on the usage content of the user is used.

  If the user uses the copy function of the image forming apparatus 100, this coefficient is a value set in advance depending on the “paper size”, “monochrome / color output”, and the like used at that time. . This coefficient is set individually for each group, and may be different for each group even if the same function is used. For example, when a certain user X belongs to the A group and the B group and the user X uses the copy function of the image forming apparatus 100, the coefficient for the usage amount at the time of use is the coefficient of the A group. And B group coefficient. In this case, the A group accumulated point value obtained by accumulating the point values in the A group of the user X and the B group accumulated point value obtained by accumulating the point values in the B group are different values. The use upper limit excess determination for the user X is executed by comparing the accumulated point value for each group of the user with the upper limit value set for each group in advance.

  The authentication server 300 is an example of an information processing apparatus having a function of authenticating the use authority of a user who uses the image forming apparatus 100.

  The log management server 400 is an example of an information processing apparatus having a function of managing a log (execution log) of a job (executed process) executed in the image forming apparatus 100.

  The configuration of the upper limit management system 1 is an example, and is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the upper limit management system 1 may be configured such that the image forming apparatus 100 has some or all of the functions of the upper limit management server 200, the authentication server 300, and the log management server 400. Further, for example, the upper limit management server 200, the authentication server 300, and the log management server 400 may be configured so that one upper limit management server 200 has the respective functions.

[Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 100]
Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a controller 110, an operation panel 120, a plotter 130, a scanner 140, and an external device I / F 150, which are connected to each other via a bus 160. Yes.

  The controller 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a storage device 112, a network I / F 113, and an external storage I / F 114, which are mutually connected by a bus 160.

  The CPU 111 executes various programs and controls various functions and the entire image forming apparatus 100. The storage device 112 stores and holds the program and various data (for example, image data). Examples of the storage device 112 include a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a volatile memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that is a nonvolatile memory, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that has a large-capacity storage area. There is. The RAM functions as a work area for the CPU 111 (a storage area from which programs and data are temporarily read). ROM and HDD are used as storage locations for programs and various data. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 100, the CPU 111 reads the program stored in the ROM onto the RAM and executes the program.

  The network I / F 113 is an interface for connecting the image forming apparatus 100 to the network 500. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 100 can perform data communication with the authentication management apparatus 20, the log management server 400, and the like via the network I / F 113.

  The external storage I / F 114 is an interface for connecting a recording medium 114a corresponding to external storage. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 can read and write the recording medium 114a via the external storage I / F 114.

  The operation panel 120 includes an input unit such as a touch panel in addition to the display unit, and provides the user with various information of the image forming apparatus 100 and receives various user operations such as operation settings and operation instructions.

  The plotter 130 includes an image forming unit and forms an output image on a sheet. Examples of a method for forming an output image include an electrophotographic method and an inkjet method. The scanner 140 optically reads a document and generates a read image.

  The external device I / F 150 is an interface for reading stored information from the external device 150a. Examples of the external device 150a include a non-contact IC (Integrated Circuit) card such as a smart card. The external device I / F 150 can read information such as ID information (card ID) stored in the external device 150a using, for example, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes as described below with the above hardware configuration. In the above description, the image forming apparatus 100 is an MFP as an example. However, for example, the image forming apparatus 100 may be a printer that does not include the scanner 140.

[Hardware Configuration of Upper Limit Management Server 200, Authentication Server 300, and Log Management Server 400]
Next, the hardware configuration of the upper limit management server 200, the authentication server 300, and the log management server 400 according to the present embodiment will be described. Each of these servers has a hardware configuration equivalent to that of a general computer. Therefore, in the following description, the hardware configuration of the upper limit management server 200 will be described as a representative, and the description of the hardware configuration of the authentication server 300 and the log management server 400 will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper limit management server 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202, an input device 203, a drive device 204, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 205, A ROM (Read Only Memory) 206, a display device 207, and an interface device 208 are included, and are connected to each other via a bus 209.

  The CPU 201 reads a usage upper limit management program and various data used for executing the program from a storage device such as the ROM 206 and the HDD 205 onto the RAM 202 and executes predetermined processing. That is, the CPU 201 is an arithmetic device that realizes overall control and functions of the upper limit management server 200.

  The RAM 202 is a work area used when the use upper limit management program is executed, and is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily holds various data used when the program is executed.

  The input device 203 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used when inputting various operation signals to the upper limit management server 200. The display device 207 includes a display or the like, and displays a processing result or the like by the upper limit management server 200. Note that the input device 203 and the display device 207 may be configured to be attached to the upper limit management server 200 when necessary.

  The drive device 204 is an interface with a detachable recording medium 204a and the like. As a result, the upper limit management server 200 can read and write the recording medium 204 a via the drive device 204. The recording medium 204a includes a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD memory card, a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), and the like.

  The HDD 205 is a nonvolatile storage device that stores various programs and data. Examples of the stored programs and data include an OS (Operating System) that controls the entire upper limit management server 200 and application software that provides various functions on the OS. The HDD 205 manages stored programs and data by a predetermined file system and DB (database). The upper limit management server 200 may include a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) instead of the HDD 205 or in combination with the HDD 205.

  The ROM 206 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 206 stores programs and data such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the upper limit management server 200 is activated.

  The interface device 208 is an interface for connecting the upper limit management server 200 to the network 500. The upper limit management server 200 can perform data communication with the image forming apparatus 100 and the like via the interface device 208.

  The upper limit management server 200, the authentication server 300, and the log management server 400 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes as described later with the above hardware configuration.

[Functional configuration of upper limit management system 1]
Next, the functional configuration of the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[Functional Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 100]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a main body control unit 11, a main body function unit 12, a UI unit 13, an authentication communication unit 14, and a log notification unit 15.

  The main body control unit 11 is realized by, for example, the CPU 111 and requests other functional units for processing in response to requests from the respective functional units. For example, the main body control unit 11 requests the authentication communication unit 14 to perform processing in response to an authentication request from the UI unit 13.

  The main body function unit 12 is realized by, for example, the CPU 111, the plotter 130, the scanner 140, and the like, and executes a copy function, a print (print) function, a scan function, and the like in response to a request from the main body control unit 11. That is, the main body function unit 12 executes a job requested by the user (requested image processing or the like).

  The UI unit 13 provides an interface function for a user who uses the image forming apparatus 100. For example, information such as information (for example, card ID) realized by the CPU 111, the external device I / F 150, and the like and stored in the external device 150a such as an IC card is read. Further, the display on the operation panel 120 is changed according to an instruction from the CPU 111.

  The authentication communication unit 14 is realized by, for example, the CPU 111, the network I / F 113, and the like, and transmits an authentication request to the user information management unit 31 of the authentication management apparatus 20 in response to a request from the main body control unit 11.

  The log notification unit 15 is realized by, for example, the CPU 111, the network I / F 113, and the like, and a log (execution log) of a function (executed job) executed by the main body function unit 12 in response to a request from the main body control unit 11 Is transmitted to the log management unit 41 of the log management server 400.

[Functional configuration of authentication server 300]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the authentication server 300 that is an authentication device includes a user information management unit 31. The authentication server 300 uses the user information storage unit 32 and the card information storage unit 33.

  The user information management unit 31 is realized by a CPU or the like provided in the authentication server 300, and executes a process of authenticating a user's usage authority in response to a user authentication request received from the authentication communication unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 100. The user information management unit 31 determines whether or not the cumulative usage amount of the functions used by the authenticated user (functions realized in the main body function unit 12) exceeds a preset limit. A request is made to the 200 upper limit determination unit 21.

  Further, as will be described later, the user information management unit 31 receives a response to the determination request from the upper limit determination unit 21 of the upper limit management server 200 and notifies the authentication communication unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The user information storage unit 32 is realized by an HDD included in the authentication server 300 or a storage device connected to the authentication server 300 via the network 500, and stores user information 32D that is information about each user. Details of the user information 32D will be described later.

  The card information storage unit 33 is realized by, for example, a storage device connected to the HDD 205 or the authentication server 300 via the network 500, and stores card information 33D that is information related to the external device 150a such as an IC card. Details of the card information 33D will be described later.

  The authentication server 300 having the above functions has a main role of associating and holding the user information 32D and the card information 33D. Note that the user authentication requested from the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured to confirm the validity of the user by further connecting to an external device (a so-called directory server or the like).

<< Log management server 400 >>
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the log management server 400 includes a log management unit 41. The log management server 400 uses the log information storage unit 42.

  The log management unit 41 is realized by a CPU or the like provided in the log management server 400 and stores an execution log called a job log received from the log notification unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 100 in the log information storage unit 42. The execution log includes a “log” indicating a user who uses the image forming apparatus, a function used by the user, a usage amount of the function, and the like. Further, when receiving the execution log, the log management unit 41 requests the point value calculation unit 24 of the upper limit management server 200 to calculate a point value based on the execution log.

  The log information storage unit 42 is realized by an HDD included in the log management server 400 or a storage device connected to the log management server 400 via the network 500, and is log information that is an accumulation of execution logs received from the image forming apparatus 100. 42D is stored. Details of the log information 42D will be described later.

[Functional configuration of upper limit management server 200]
The upper limit management server 200 includes an upper limit determination unit 21 and a point value calculation unit 24. The upper limit management server 200 uses the upper limit information storage unit 22, the usage record information storage unit 23, the conversion rule storage unit 25, and the determination condition storage unit 26.

  The upper limit determination unit 21 is realized by, for example, the CPU 201 and the like, and in response to an upper limit determination request from the authentication server 300, the accumulated value of the user's past point value is an upper limit value set in advance for each user and for each group. Judgment is made whether or not it exceeds. The upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of “use permission information” when the result of the excess determination with respect to the upper limit value “does not exceed the upper limit value”. When the determination result “exceeds the upper limit value”, the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of “unusable information”.

  The point value calculation unit 24 is realized by the CPU 201 or the like, for example, specifies a conversion rule stored in the conversion rule storage unit 25 from the received execution log in response to a request from the log management server 400, and specifies the specified conversion rule The point value is calculated based on Further, the point value calculation unit 24 updates the accumulated point value of the corresponding user stored in the usage record information storage unit 23 based on the calculated point value. The point value calculation unit 24 corresponds to a usage result value calculation unit.

  The upper limit information storage unit 22 is realized by, for example, a storage device connected to the upper limit management server 200 via the HDD 205 or the network 500, and stores upper limit value information 22D for managing the upper limit point value set for each group. To do. Details of the upper limit information 22D will be described later.

  The usage record information storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a storage device connected to the upper limit management server 200 via the HDD 205 or the network 500, and uses the accumulated point value for each user and for each group to which the user belongs. Use result information 23D managed as a result value is stored. Details of the usage record information 23D will also be described later.

  The conversion rule storage unit 25 is realized by, for example, a storage device connected to the upper limit management server 200 via the HDD 205 or the network 500, and the point value calculation unit 24 sets the point based on the execution log received from the log management unit 41. Conversion rule information 25D used for value calculation is stored. Details of the conversion rule information 25D will also be described later.

  The determination condition storage unit 26 is realized by, for example, a storage device connected to the upper limit management server 200 via the HDD 205 or the network 500, and holds determination condition values when determining whether or not the upper limit value is exceeded. The condition information 26D is stored. Details of the determination condition information 26D will also be described later.

  Next, various data used by the upper limit management system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

<< User information 32D >>
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of information used for user authentication. As shown in FIG. 5, the user information 32 </ b> D includes a “user name” that uniquely identifies a user of the upper limit management system 1, a “password” that is authentication information used for authentication of the user, and a affiliation to which the user belongs. “Group name” (affiliation group 1, affiliation group 2...) Indicating the destination is included. The user information 32D is configured by associating a user name, a password, and a group name. The group name is used when one user belongs to a plurality of groups, and in order to distinguish each group, all the groups to which the user belongs are associated as “affiliation group 1” and “affiliation group 2”. Yes. Note that the number of groups associated with one user is arbitrary.

≪Card information 33D≫
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the card information 33D. As shown in FIG. 6, the card information 33D uniquely identifies a “card ID” that is card identification information that uniquely identifies an IC card that is an example of the external device 150a, and a legitimate user of the IC card. "User name". The card information 33D holds information related to one card held by one user in association with the card ID and the user name. When the same user possesses (uses) a plurality of IC cards, the card information 33D holds the same user name associated with different card IDs.

<< Log information 42D >>
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the log information 42D. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the log information 42 </ b> D includes a plurality of pieces of information associated with a “log ID” that uniquely identifies an execution log indicating the amount of functions used in the image forming apparatus 100 and usage conditions. Yes. That is, for the log ID, an “operation date” indicating the date and time when the function corresponding to the log ID was used, a “log type” indicating the type of the executed function, and the user who used the function "User name" to be displayed. The log information 42D includes a “card ID” indicating a card ID used by the user, a “color / monochrome” indicating whether the executed function (for example, printing) has been color-printed or monochrome-printed, and the function “Usage amount” indicating the number of executed pages and the like. Note that the log information 42D further includes data items such as “double-sided / single-sided” indicating whether the function (for example, printing) has been double-sided printed, “double-sided / single-sided”, and “aggregated” indicating whether the printing has been consolidated. It may be.

  The log information 42D according to the present embodiment is a log (execution log) for each job executed by the user. However, the log information 42D is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a log for each page on which a function is executed. When the log information for each page is used, the point value calculation unit 24 calculates a more precise usage record value. Therefore, in this case, the upper limit management of the number of uses for each user can be performed more precisely.

<< Upper limit information 22D >>
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the upper limit information 22D. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the upper limit information 22D includes a “group name” that uniquely identifies a group, and an “upper limit value” that indicates an upper limit of use set for the group. Thus, an upper limit is set for each group. Accordingly, each user of the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment manages the upper limit of use of the image forming apparatus 100 based on the upper limit value set for the group to which the user belongs.

≪Use record information 23D≫
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of point information. As shown in FIG. 9, the usage record information 23D includes “user name” that uniquely identifies the user of the upper limit management system 1, “affiliation group name” to which the user belongs, and image formation by the user in the affiliation group. The accumulated point value, which is the actual use value up to now using the device 100, is shown. Since the usage record information 23D according to the present embodiment belongs to a plurality of groups even for the same user, the usage result information 23D is a management unit with a unique combination of “user name” and “affiliation group name”. Each combination has a format in which accumulated point values are held. Therefore, according to the upper limit management system 1, even when there are users who belong to a plurality of groups, the upper limit management in the use of the image forming apparatus 100 can be appropriately performed.

<< Conversion rule information 25D >>
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the conversion rule information 25D. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the conversion rule information 25 </ b> D has a format in which a “group name” that uniquely identifies a group and a distinction of information included in the execution log are associated and held. The information included in the execution log is information including the function used in the user's use that is the source of the execution log and the usage conditions. In the conversion rule information 25D, coefficients corresponding to information indicating the use conditions included in the execution log are held on a one-to-one basis.

  For example, the coefficient held in the conversion rule information 25D is provided for each function provided by the image forming apparatus 100. When the information included in the execution log indicates that color printing has been performed, the coefficient in the “color print” column is used based on the amount. Similarly, in the case of color copying, the coefficient in the “color copying” column is used.

  Using the conversion rule information 25D, the point value calculation unit 24 converts the execution log into the number of points indicating the actual usage amount. For example, when a user belonging to “Design 1G” executes color copy of 10 pages, information indicating that is included in the execution log. The point value calculation unit 24 performs a conversion process to a point value using a coefficient for each belonging group specified from the execution log. According to the conversion rule information 25D, the color copy coefficient for the design 1G is “5”. Therefore, the point value calculation unit 24 calculates the point value related to the execution log as 10 (pages) × 5 (conversion coefficient) = 50 points. The calculated point value is added to the accumulated point value associated with the “design 1G” of the user.

  As shown in FIG. 10, by using different conversion coefficients for each group, flexible upper limit management can be performed on a group basis. For example, if “sales 1G” uses more color copies than “design 1G” for business purposes, the conversion factor for “sales 1G” color copies is set smaller than “design 1G”. It is possible to perform upper limit management in consideration of necessity in contents.

<< Determination condition information 26D >>
FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an example of the determination condition information 26D. As illustrated in FIG. 20, the determination condition information 26 </ b> D holds a set value of “determination condition” used when the upper limit determination unit 21 executes the upper limit excess determination process. In the determination condition information, for example, either “AND” or “OR” is held as the setting value. When the set value is “AND”, in the upper limit excess determination process, it is determined as “use permitted” when the actual use value does not exceed the upper limit values of all the groups held in the upper limit value information 22D. To do. When the set value is “OR”, it is determined as “use permission” when the use result value does not exceed the upper limit value of any group. Note that the setting value (determination condition) of the determination upper limit information may be arbitrarily set by the administrator via the input device 203 provided in the upper limit management server 200.

[First Embodiment of Upper Limit Management System 1]
Next, the use upper limit management process in the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, first, when the user uses the function of the image forming apparatus 100, an authentication operation for authenticating that the user is a valid user is performed (S1101). Specifically, the IC card that is the external device 150 a is held over the external device I / F 150 constituting the UI unit 13. The UI unit 13 reads the card ID stored in the IC card (S1102), and the read card ID is passed to the main body control unit 11 (S1103).

  The main body control unit 11 passes an authentication request for authenticating the passed card ID to the authentication communication unit 14 (S1104). The authentication communication unit 14 notifies the card information included in the authentication request passed from the main body control unit 11 to the user information management unit 31 of the authentication server 300 as “authentication request information” (S1105).

  The user information management unit 31 acquires a user name corresponding to the card ID included in the notified authentication request information with reference to the card information storage unit 33 (S1106). Here, if the user name can be acquired, it can be determined that the card ID included in the authentication request information is associated with a valid user, and the validity of the user is authenticated. At this stage, a password input process in the main body control unit 11 may be executed so as to request input of a password. In this case, a password associated with the user name acquired based on the card ID may be acquired from the user information storage unit 32 and notified to the main body control unit 11.

  The user information management unit 31 refers to the user information storage unit 32 using the acquired user name, and acquires the “group name” associated with the user name included in the user information 32D (S1107). The user information management unit 31 notifies the upper limit determination unit 21 of an upper limit determination request including “user name” and “group name” (S1108). As shown in FIG. 5, in the user information 32D, names of a plurality of groups (group names) are associated with the user name. The upper limit determination request includes “user name” and “group name” in a one-to-one relationship. That is, when a plurality of group names are associated with the user name, the number of upper limit determination requests notified from the user information management unit 31 to the upper limit determination unit 21 is a number corresponding to the number of these combinations. Become. That is, in the present embodiment, the user information management unit 31 notifies the upper limit determination unit 21 of a plurality of upper limit determination requests.

  The upper limit determination unit 21 executes the following processing for all upper limit determination requests. First, referring to the usage record information storage unit 23 based on the user name and group name included in one notified upper limit determination request, a combination of the user name and the group name held in the usage record information 23D The accumulated point value associated with is acquired (S1109). Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the upper limit information storage unit 22 based on the group name included in the upper limit determination request, and acquires the upper limit value associated with the belonging group name (S1110). Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 executes an upper limit excess determination process that compares the accumulated point value acquired in S1109 with the upper limit value acquired in S1110 (S1111). Information indicating the comparison result is temporarily held.

  The upper limit determination unit 21 executes the processes from S1109 to S1111 for all the upper limit determination requests notified in S1108. That is, the processing from S1109 to S1111 is repeatedly executed by the number corresponding to the combination of the user name and the group name.

  When the above processing for all the upper limit determination requests is executed, in the upper limit excess determination processing in S1111, if there is no case where the accumulated point value exceeds the upper limit value, the upper limit determination unit 21 displays the user information management unit. 31 is notified of “use permission information” (S1112). When the accumulated point value exceeds the upper limit value in some upper limit excess determination processing, the user information management unit 31 is notified of usage non-permission information. Hereinafter, the description will be continued assuming that the usage permission information is notified.

  The user information management unit 31 notifies the authentication communication unit 14 of “use permission information” from the upper limit determination unit 21 as an authentication result notification (S1113). The authentication communication unit 14 passes the received use permission information to the main body control unit 11 as an authentication result (S1114). When the received authentication result is “use permission information”, the main body control unit 11 instructs the main body function unit 12 to release the use restriction related to the function of the image forming apparatus 100 (S1115).

  The main body control unit 11 notifies the use permission result to the UI unit 13 so as to indicate that the function of the image forming apparatus 100 can be used (S1116).

  The UI unit 13 that has received the notification of the usage permission result provides, for example, a display on the operation panel 120 to the user so that the image forming apparatus 100 can be used and the available functions can be determined. Further, a display function included in the external device I / F 150 that is a card reader may be used to provide a display indicating that the image forming apparatus 100 has been changed to a usable state to the user. These displays are authentication results for the user via the UI unit 13 (S1117).

  As described above, according to the processing sequence of the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment, any of the utilization result values (cumulative point values) associated with the user who intends to use the image forming apparatus 100 A new use can be permitted if none of the upper limit values set for the group associated with the user has been exceeded. That is, when the user belongs to a plurality of groups and exceeds the upper limit value of any group, new use is not permitted. As a result, it is possible to appropriately perform usage management for users belonging to a plurality of groups.

  Next, in the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment, a process for obtaining an environment in which the above excess determination process (S1111) can be executed will be described. FIG. 12 shows a processing flow when the user uses a function desired by the user after the authentication result is notified to the user in S1117 (see FIG. 11), and then the user performs a logout operation via the UI unit 13. Is shown. When the user performs a logout operation on the image forming apparatus 100, a logout request is notified to the main body control unit 11 (S1201).

  The main body control unit 11 transfers a history (execution log) of the use of the function of the image forming apparatus 100 by the user to the log management unit 41 of the log management server 400 (S1202).

  The log management unit 41 stores the transferred execution log in the log information storage unit 42 (S1203). Subsequently, the log management unit 41 transfers the execution log to the point value calculation unit 24 of the upper limit management server 200 and requests calculation of the point value (S1204).

  Based on the user name included in the transferred execution log, the point value calculation unit 24 refers to the usage record information 23D, identifies the group name to which the user belongs, and converts the conversion rule based on the identified group name With reference to the storage unit 25, conversion rule information 25D associated with the group name is acquired (S1205). Based on the acquired conversion rule information 25D, the point value calculation unit 24 calculates a point value, which is a usage result value, from the usage amount included in the execution log (S1206). The point value calculation unit 24 adds the calculated point value to the corresponding accumulated point value of the usage record information 23D associated with the group name specified in S1205 (S1207). The point value calculation unit 24 executes the processing from S1205 to S1207 for all group names associated with the user name included in the transferred log.

  The point value calculation unit 24 notifies the log management unit 41 of the completion of calculation after completing the cumulative addition of point values for all the groups included in the execution log (S1208).

  After receiving the notification of calculation completion, the log management unit 41 notifies the main body control unit 11 of log transfer completion (S1209). The main body control unit 11 notifies the user of logout via the UI unit 13 (S1210).

  In the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment, for each execution log indicating a usage unit of the image forming apparatus 100 in which a user belonging to a plurality of groups is a management target device, a point value indicating a usage amount of the management target device Update. For example, the upper limit management system 1 uses a predetermined function after the user logs in once, and the accumulated point value is updated after the execution log is generated. Therefore, once the user logs out and then logs in again, the next use for the management target device is not permitted unless the upper limit is not exceeded.

  That is, the upper limit management system 1 calculates a point value to be used as a usage record value, logs out once after the accumulation process is performed, and then performs an authentication process such as a login operation in S1301, and an upper limit excess determination process subsequent thereto. Need to run. As a result, it is possible to appropriately limit the use of users belonging to a plurality of groups.

[Second Embodiment of Upper Limit Management System 1]
Next, another example of the use upper limit management process by the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the user performs user authentication using an IC card (S1301), and thereafter, the processing up to the upper limit determination request (S1308) in the user information management unit 31 starts from S1101 according to the first embodiment. The same as S1108.

  In S1308, the upper limit determination request notified to the upper limit determination unit 21 includes a combination of a user name and a group name associated with the user name. The above process is executed for all the upper limit determination requests.

  First, the upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the usage record information storage unit 23 based on the user name and group name included in one notified upper limit determination request, and the user name held in the usage record information 23D and The accumulated point value associated with the combination of the group names is acquired (S1309). Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the upper limit information storage unit 22 based on the group name included in the upper limit determination request, and acquires the upper limit value associated with the belonging group name (S1310). Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 executes an upper limit excess determination process that compares the accumulated point value acquired in S1309 with the upper limit value acquired in S1310 (S1311). Information indicating the comparison result is temporarily held.

  The upper limit determination unit 21 performs the processing from S1309 to S1311 for all of the notified upper limit determination requests. That is, the processing from S1309 to S1311 is repeatedly executed by the number corresponding to the combination of the user name and the group name.

  When the processing for all the affiliated groups is completed, if there is at least one case where the accumulated point value exceeds the upper limit value in the upper limit excess determination process in S1311, the upper limit determination unit 21 determines that the user information management unit 31 Is notified of "use permission information" (S1312). When the accumulated point value exceeds the upper limit value in all the upper limit excess determination processes, the usage prohibition information is notified to the user information management unit 31.

  The processing after the usage permission information is notified is the same as S1113 to S1117 of the first embodiment (S1313 to S1317).

  As described above, according to the processing sequence of the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment, one of the usage record values (cumulative point values) associated with the user who intends to use the image forming apparatus 100 is A new use can be permitted if the upper limit value set for each of the plurality of groups associated with the user is not exceeded. That is, even if the user belongs to a plurality of groups, new usage is not permitted only when the upper limit value of any group is exceeded.

  According to the second embodiment, compared to the first embodiment, a user who belongs to a group having a large upper limit value can use more devices. Accordingly, it is possible to perform appropriate use restriction while relaxing the check of the upper limit value and ensuring user convenience.

[Third embodiment of the upper limit management system 1]
Next, still another example of the use upper limit management process by the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the user performs user authentication using an IC card (S1401), and the processes up to the upper limit determination request (S1408) in the user information management unit 31 are the first and second embodiments. It is the same as the form.

  In S1408, when the upper limit determination request notified from the user information management unit 31 to the upper limit determination unit 21 is associated with a plurality of group names, the number of notifications corresponding to the number of group names is sent. Is called.

  First, the upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the upper limit information 22D and acquires all upper limit values associated with the group name based on combinations of user names and group names included in all upper limit determination requests ( S1409). Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 calculates an average value of the upper limit values acquired in S1409 (S1410).

  Thereafter, the upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the usage record information storage unit 23 based on the user name and group name included in one upper limit determination request notified in S1408, and associates the combination with the combination of the user name and the group name. The accumulated cumulative point value is acquired (S1411). Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 executes an upper limit excess determination process that compares the accumulated point value acquired in S1411 with the average value calculated in S1410 (S1412). Information indicating the comparison result is temporarily held.

  The upper limit determination unit 21 executes the processes of S1411 and S1412 for all the groups notified by the upper limit determination request. That is, the processes of S1411 and S1412 are repeatedly executed by the number corresponding to the combination of the user name and the group name.

  When the above processing for all the affiliated groups is completed, in the upper limit excess determination process in S1411, if there is no case where the accumulated point value exceeds the average value, the upper limit determination unit 21 displays the user information management unit 31. Is notified of "use permission information" (S1413). If there is at least one case where the accumulated point value exceeds the average value, the usage prohibition information is notified to the user information management unit 31.

  The processing after the usage permission information is notified is the same as S1113 to S1117 of the first embodiment (S1413 to S1418). Therefore, based on the use permission result notified from the main body control unit 11 in S1417, the UI unit 13 displays to the user that the image forming apparatus 100 has been changed to a usable state, and the process is terminated (S1418). ).

  As described above, according to the processing sequence of the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment, all of the use result values (cumulative point values) of the user who intends to use the image forming apparatus 100 are assigned to a plurality of affiliation destinations. A new use can be permitted when the average value of the upper limit values set in step S1 is not exceeded. That is, when the user belongs to a plurality of groups and the accumulated point value for any group exceeds the average value, new use is not permitted.

  According to the third embodiment, it is possible to loosen the upper limit excess determination compared to the second embodiment. Thus, even when there is a variation in the upper limit value of the group, the upper limit determination is performed based on the value obtained by leveling the variation in the upper limit value, so that the user can use more devices. In addition, by relaxing the upper limit check, it is possible to perform appropriate usage restrictions while improving user convenience.

[Fourth embodiment of the upper limit management system 1]
Next, still another example of the use upper limit management process by the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the user performs user authentication using an IC card (S1501), and then the process until the upper limit determination unit 21 calculates the average value of the upper limit values of the group (S1510) is the third process. This is the same as the embodiment.

  The upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the usage record information storage unit 23 based on the user name and the group name included in one upper limit determination request among the plurality of upper limit determination requests notified in S1508, and the user name and the The accumulated point value associated with the combination of group names is acquired (S1511). Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 executes an upper limit excess determination process that compares the accumulated point value acquired in S1511 with the average value of the upper limit values calculated in S1510 (S1512). Information indicating the comparison result is temporarily held.

  The upper limit determination unit 21 executes the processes of S1511 and S1512 for all the group names notified by the upper limit determination request. That is, the processes of S1411 and S1412 are repeatedly executed by the number corresponding to the combination of the user name and the group name.

  When the above processing for all the affiliated groups is completed, in some upper limit excess determination processing in S1511, if the accumulated point value does not exceed the average value, the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31. Then, “use permission information” is notified (S1513). If there is no case where the accumulated point value does not exceed the average value, the usage prohibition information is notified to the user information management unit 31.

  The processing after the usage permission information is notified is the same as S1413 to S1418 of the third embodiment (S1513 to S1518). Therefore, based on the use permission result notified from the main body control unit 11 in S1517, the UI unit 13 displays to the user that the image forming apparatus 100 has been changed to a usable state, and the process ends (S1518). ).

  As described above, according to the processing sequence of the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment, a part of the use result value (cumulative point value) of the user who intends to use the image forming apparatus 100 is assigned to a plurality of affiliation destinations. It is determined whether or not the average value of the upper limit values set in each is exceeded. If any of the accumulated point values for the user's group belongs exceeds the average value, the new use is permitted, and the new use is made only when all the accumulated point values do not exceed the average value. Limit. That is, even when there is a variation in the upper limit value of the group, the upper limit determination can be performed based on a value obtained by leveling the variation in the upper limit value. As a result, the user can use more devices. In addition, by relaxing the upper limit check, it is possible to perform appropriate usage restrictions while improving user convenience.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the upper limit excess determination is not loosened compared to the second embodiment, and the upper limit excess determination can be made stricter than the third embodiment.

[Fifth embodiment of the upper limit management system 1]
Next, another example of the use upper limit management process by the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, the user performs user authentication using an IC card (S2101), and the processing up to the upper limit determination request (S2108) in the user information management unit 31 thereafter starts from S1101 according to the first embodiment. This is the same as S1108 and S1301 to S1308 according to the second embodiment.

  In S2108, the upper limit determination request notified to the upper limit determination unit 21 includes a combination of a user name and a group name associated with the user name. The above process is executed for all the upper limit determination requests.

  First, the upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the usage record information storage unit 23 based on the user name and group name included in one notified upper limit determination request, and the user name held in the usage record information 23D and The accumulated point value associated with the group name combination is acquired (S2109). Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the upper limit information storage unit 22 based on the group name included in the upper limit determination request, and acquires the upper limit value associated with the belonging group name (S2110). Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 executes an upper limit excess determination process that compares the accumulated point value acquired in S2109 with the upper limit value acquired in S2110 (S2111). Information indicating the comparison result is temporarily held.

  The upper limit determination unit 21 performs the processing from S2109 to S2111 for all of the notified upper limit determination requests. That is, the processing from S2109 to S2111 is repeatedly executed by the number corresponding to the combination of the user name and the group name.

  When the processing for all the belonging groups is completed, the upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the determination condition storage unit 26 and acquires the set value held in the determination condition information 26D (S2112).

  If the set value acquired in S2112 is “AND”, the upper limit determination unit 21 determines whether there is no case where the accumulated point value exceeds the upper limit value in the upper limit excess determination process in S2111. . If there is no case where the upper limit value is exceeded, the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of “use permission information” (S2113). If there is even one case that exceeds the upper limit value, the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of “use disapproval information” (S2113).

  If the set value acquired in S2112 is “OR”, in the upper limit determination process of S2111, it is determined whether or not there is one case where the accumulated point value does not exceed the upper limit value, and the upper limit value is exceeded. If there is no case, the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of “use permission information” (S2113). If there is no case where the upper limit is not exceeded, the upper limit determination is performed. The unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of “unusable information” (S2113).

  Hereinafter, the description will be continued assuming that the usage permission information is notified. The processing after the usage permission information is notified is the same as S1113 to S1117 of the first embodiment (S2114 to S2118).

  As described above, according to the processing sequence of the upper limit management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the use record value (cumulative point value) associated with the user who intends to use the image forming apparatus 100 and the user are associated with each other. The determination condition based on the relationship with the upper limit value set for each of the plurality of groups can be changed as the set value.

  According to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to flexibly set an upper limit excess determination as compared with the other embodiments, and the administrator can arbitrarily select whether the usage restriction is tightened or loosened. Accordingly, it is possible to flexibly limit the use while appropriately managing the upper limit value check and ensuring the convenience of the user.

[First Embodiment of Upper Limit Management Server 200]
Next, details of the use upper limit management process performed by the upper limit management server 200 in each of the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment of the upper limit management system 1 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the upper limit management server 200 according to the first embodiment. First, the upper limit determination unit 21 of the upper limit management server 200 receives an upper limit determination request (S1601). The upper limit determination request is notified with a combination of “user name” and “group name” as one unit. Since a plurality of group names are associated with one user name, a plurality of upper limit determination requests are received. One upper limit determination request may include one user name and a plurality of group names associated therewith.

  The upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the usage record information storage unit 23 based on the combination of the user name and the group name included in one of the received upper limit determination requests, and accumulates associated with the combination from the usage record information 23D. A point value is acquired (S1602).

  Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the upper limit information storage unit 22 based on the group name for which the accumulated point value has been acquired in S1602, and acquires the upper limit value associated with the group name from the upper limit value information 22D ( S1603).

  Next, the upper limit determination unit 21 compares the accumulated point value acquired in S1602 with the upper limit value acquired in S1603, and executes an upper limit excess determination process for determining that the accumulated point value does not exceed the upper limit value. (S1604). As a result of the determination, if the accumulated point value does not exceed the upper limit value (S1604: Yes), “1” is added to the OK flag (S1605). As a result of the determination, if the accumulated point value exceeds the upper limit value (S1604: No), “1” is added to the NG flag (S1606).

  After executing S1605 or S1606, the upper limit determination unit 21 determines whether or not the process of S1604 has been completed for all groups in the upper limit determination request received in S1601 (S1607). If the upper limit excess determination process for all the groups has not been completed (S1607: NO), the process returns to S1602, and the same process is executed for the next group. If the upper limit excess determination processing has been completed for all groups (S1607: YES), it is next determined whether there is a group that exceeds the upper limit (S1608).

  In S1608, if the NG flag is “0” (S1608: YES), the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the usage permission information because the use of the management target device by the user may be permitted. (S1609).

  In S1608, if the NG flag is not “0” (S1608: YES), that is, if at least one group exceeds the accumulated point value in the use of the management target device by the user, a new use is made. Is not allowed. In this case, the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the usage disapproval information (S1610).

  As described above, according to the upper limit management server 200 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to strictly manage the use of managed devices by users belonging to a plurality of groups. That is, only when the upper limit value for all the groups to which the user belongs has not been exceeded, a new use of the management target apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus 100) is permitted. On the other hand, if the upper limit value for some of the groups to which the user belongs is exceeded, use is not permitted. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately manage the upper limit of use for users belonging to a plurality of groups.

[Second Embodiment of Upper Limit Management Server 200]
Next, details of the use upper limit management process of the upper limit management server 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Similar to the first embodiment already described, first, the upper limit determination unit 21 of the upper limit management server 200 receives an upper limit determination request (S1701). The process from the reception of the upper limit determination request to the end of the comparison process between the upper limit value of each group and the accumulated point value of each user is the same as S1602 to S1607 in the first embodiment (S1702 to S1707).

  After the upper limit excess determination processing is completed for all groups (S1707: YES), it is determined whether there is a group that does not exceed the upper limit value (S1708).

  In S1708, if the OK flag is not “0” (S1708: Yes), the use of the management target apparatus by the user may be permitted, so the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the usage permission information. (S1709).

  If the OK flag is “0” in S1708 (S1708: No), that is, if there is no group that exceeds the accumulated point value in the use of the management target device by the user, the new use is permitted. It is not possible. In this case, the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the usage disapproval information (S1710).

  As described above, according to the upper limit management server 200 according to the present embodiment, the usage record value (cumulative point value) of the user who intends to use the image forming apparatus 100 is the upper limit value of each of a plurality of belonging groups. It is determined whether there is an upper limit that has not been exceeded. In this confirmation process, if the upper limit value is not exceeded in some of the plurality of groups, a new use is permitted. If all the upper limit values of the affiliated group are exceeded, new usage is not permitted.

  According to the second embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment, a user who belongs to a group having a large upper limit value can obtain an advantage that more devices can be used. Accordingly, it is possible to perform appropriate use restriction while relaxing the check of the upper limit value and ensuring user convenience.

[Third embodiment of the upper limit management server 200]
Next, the processing of the upper limit management server 200 according to the third embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Similar to the first and second embodiments already described, first, the upper limit determination unit 21 of the upper limit management server 200 receives an upper limit determination request (S1801).

  Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 extracts the upper limit values of all the group names included in the received upper limit determination request with reference to the upper limit information storage unit 22 (S1802). The upper limit determination unit 21 calculates an average value of all the extracted upper limit values (S1803).

  Subsequently, the upper limit determination unit 21 refers to the usage record information storage unit 23 based on the combination of the user name and the group name included in the received upper limit determination request, and acquires the accumulated point value associated with the combination. (S1804).

  Next, the upper limit determination unit 21 compares the average value calculated in S1803 with the accumulated point value acquired in S1804, and executes an upper limit excess determination process for determining that the accumulated point value does not exceed the average value. (S1805). As a result of the determination, if the accumulated point value does not exceed the average value (S1805: Yes), “1” is added to the OK flag (S1806). If the accumulated point value exceeds the average value as a result of the determination (S1805: No), “1” is added to the NG flag (S1807).

  After executing S1806 or S1807, the upper limit determination unit 21 determines whether or not the processing of S1805 has been completed for the accumulated point values for all groups in the upper limit determination request received in S1801 (S1808). If the upper limit excess determination process for all groups has not been completed (S1808: NO), the process returns to S1802, and the same process for the next group is executed. If the upper limit excess determination process has been completed for all groups (S1808: YES), it is determined whether there is an accumulated point value that exceeds the upper limit (S1809).

  In S1809, if the NG flag is “0” (S1809: YES), the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the use permission information because the use of the management target device by the user may be permitted. (S1810).

  In S1809, if the NG flag is not “0” (S1809: YES), that is, if there is one group that exceeds the accumulated point value in the use of the management target device by the user, the new use is It is in a state where permission cannot be granted. In this case, the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the usage disapproval information (S1811).

  As described above, according to the upper limit management server 200 according to the present embodiment, the average value of the upper limit values of a plurality of affiliation groups exceeds the accumulated point value (usage result value) in each group of the user at all. If not, make it available for new use. This makes it possible to strictly manage the use of the management target device by users belonging to a plurality of groups.

  According to the third embodiment, even if there is a large difference in the upper limit value between a plurality of groups compared to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the use permission can be determined based on the averaged value, There is an advantage that various usage restriction management can be realized. Accordingly, it is possible to perform appropriate use restriction while relaxing the check of the upper limit value and ensuring user convenience.

[Fourth embodiment of the upper limit management server 200]
Next, details of the use upper limit management process of the upper limit management server 200 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As in the third embodiment already described, first, the upper limit determination unit 21 of the upper limit management server 200 receives an upper limit determination request (S1901). After the upper limit determination request is received, the average value of the upper limit value of each group is calculated, and the process until the comparison process of the average value and the accumulated point value associated with each group of the user ends is It is the same as the processing from S1802 to S1808 in the third embodiment (S1902 to S1908).

  After the upper limit excess determination processing is completed for all groups (S1908: YES), it is determined whether there is a group that does not exceed the upper limit average value (S1909).

  If the OK flag is not “0” in S1909 (S1909: Yes), the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the usage permission information because the use of the management target device by the user may be permitted. (S1910).

  If the OK flag is “0” in S1909 (S1909: No), that is, if there is no group exceeding the accumulated point value in the use of the management target device by the user, the new use is permitted. It is not possible. In this case, the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the use disapproval information (S1911).

  As described above, according to the upper limit management server 200 according to the present embodiment, the use result value (cumulative point value) of the user who intends to use the image forming apparatus 100 is set in each of a plurality of affiliation destinations. It is determined whether or not there is one that does not exceed the upper limit average value. In this process, if the accumulated point value associated with a part of each of a plurality of groups exceeds the average value, a new use is enabled. If the accumulated point value of all groups exceeds the average value, new usage is restricted.

  According to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to obtain an advantage that a larger number of devices can be used for a user belonging to a group having a larger upper limit value as compared with the third embodiment. Accordingly, it is possible to perform appropriate use restriction while relaxing the check of the upper limit value and ensuring user convenience.

[Fifth embodiment of the upper limit management server 200]
Next, details of the use upper limit management process of the upper limit management server 200 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Similar to the first and second embodiments already described, first, the upper limit determination unit 21 of the upper limit management server 200 receives an upper limit determination request (S2201). The processing from when the upper limit determination request is received until the process of comparing the upper limit value of each group and the accumulated point value of each user is completed is S1602 to S1607 in the first embodiment, and S1702 to S1707 in the second embodiment. (S2202 to S2207).

  After the upper limit excess determination processing is completed for all the groups (S2207: YES), it is determined whether or not the condition determination setting value is “AND” with reference to the determination condition information 26D (S2208). If the set value is “AND” in S2207 (S2208: YES), it is determined whether or not there is a group exceeding the upper limit value (S2209). If the setting value is not “AND” in S2207, since the setting value is “OR” (S2208: NO), it is determined whether there is a group that does not exceed the upper limit value (S2210).

  In S2209, if the NG flag is “0” (S2209: Yes), the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the usage permission information because the use of the management target device by the user may be permitted. (S2211).

  If the NG flag is “0” in S2209 (S2209: No), that is, if there is one group that does not exceed the accumulated point value in the use of the management target device by the user, the new use is It is in a state where permission cannot be granted. In this case, the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the use disapproval information (S2212).

  If the OK flag is not “0” in S2210 (S2210: Yes), the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the use permission information because the use of the management target device by the user may be permitted. (S2211).

  If the OK flag is “0” in S2210 (S2210: No), that is, if there is no group exceeding the accumulated point value in the use of the management target device by the user, the new use is permitted. It is not possible. In this case, the upper limit determination unit 21 notifies the user information management unit 31 of the use disapproval information (S2212).

  As described above, according to the upper limit management server 200 according to the present embodiment, the usage record value (cumulative point value) of the user who intends to use the image forming apparatus 100 is the upper limit value of each of a plurality of belonging groups. In the setting, it can be determined whether it is determined that all the upper limit values are not exceeded or whether some upper limit values are exceeded.

  According to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to flexibly set an upper limit excess determination as compared to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. That is, the administrator can arbitrarily select whether the usage restriction is tightened or loosened. Accordingly, it is possible to flexibly limit the use while appropriately managing the upper limit value check and ensuring the convenience of the user.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper limit management system 11 Main body control part 12 Main body function part 13 UI part 14 Authentication communication part 15 Log notification part 20 Authentication management apparatus 21 Upper limit determination part 22 Upper limit information storage part 23 Usage track record information storage part 24 Point value calculation part 25 Conversion rule Storage unit 31 User information management unit 32 User information storage unit 33 Card information storage unit 41 Log management unit 42 Log information storage unit 100 Image forming apparatus 200 Upper limit management server 300 Authentication server 400 Log management server

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-032897

Claims (7)

A usage upper limit management device that manages a user's usage upper limit for a managed device,
A usage record value calculation unit for calculating a usage amount of a user for the management target device;
An upper limit determination unit that refers to a usage result value obtained by accumulatively adding the usage amount calculated by the usage result value calculation unit and determines whether or not the user newly uses a function included in the management target device; ,
Have
The upper limit determination unit is based on a result of comparing a limit value for limiting the number of times of use of the management target device set for each group to which the user belongs and the usage result value of the user for each group. Judging whether to use or not,
The use upper limit management apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the comparison between the limit value and the usage record value, the upper limit determination unit, when the use record value does not exceed the limit value in all of the plurality of groups to which the user belongs, Determine to allow new use in
The use upper limit management apparatus according to claim 1. In the comparison between the limit value and the usage record value, the upper limit determination unit, when the use record value does not exceed the limit value in any of a plurality of groups to which the user belongs, Determine to allow new use on the device,
The use upper limit management apparatus according to claim 1. The upper limit determination unit can selectively set a determination condition of a comparison result between the limit value and the usage record value,
Based on the determination condition, whether to determine whether to allow new use in the managed device when the usage record value does not exceed the limit value in all the groups to which the user belongs,
Whether to determine whether to allow new usage in the managed device when the usage record value does not exceed the limit value in any of a plurality of groups to which the user belongs,
Set
The use upper limit management apparatus according to claim 1. The usage record value calculation unit calculates the use record value using a coefficient set individually in each of a plurality of groups associated with the user.
The use upper limit management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A usage limit management system for managing a user's usage limit for a managed device,
A usage upper limit management device that determines whether or not to permit the use of the managed device for the user based on the usage upper limit;
An authentication device for authenticating the use authority of the user with respect to the management target device;
A log management device for managing the usage history of the user in the management target device;
With
The use upper limit management device is:
A usage record value calculation unit for calculating a usage amount of a user for the management target device;
An upper limit determination unit that refers to a usage result value obtained by accumulatively adding the usage amount calculated by the usage result value calculation unit and determines whether or not the user newly uses a function included in the management target device; ,
Have
The upper limit determination unit is based on a result of comparing a limit value for limiting the number of times of use of the management target device set for each group to which the user belongs and the usage result value of the user for each group. Judging whether to use or not,
The use upper limit management system characterized by this. On the computer,
A usage record value calculating step for calculating the usage amount of the user for the management target device;
A reference step for referring to a usage result value obtained by cumulatively adding the calculated usage amount;
An upper limit determination step for determining whether or not to allow the user to newly use the function of the management target device; and
The upper limit determination step is based on a result of comparing a limit value for limiting the number of times of use of the management target device set for each group to which the user belongs and the use result value of the user for each group. It is a step to execute to determine whether or not to use,
The use upper limit management program characterized by this.