JP2019079400A - Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus which can identify a user as another user in a functional unit of a server.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 is an information processing apparatus which can invoke functions of a plurality of servers 2a, 2b, 2c, ... An integrated allocation unit 100 allocates, to one application, an instruction region for acquiring a command invoking a function of any of the plurality of servers. An authentification execution unit carries out authentification when authentification is required in the server 2a, 2b, 2c, .. corresponding to the command regions allocated by the integrated allocation unit 100. An authentification state changing unit 120 controls an authentification state so as to correspond to the application and, if acquiring the command of another user change button, changes the authentification state of the function corresponding to the command region. An authentification execution unit 110 carries out authentification as another user in accordance with the command of the another user change button.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an information processing method, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus capable of calling functions of a plurality of servers, an image forming apparatus, and an information processing method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there exist information processing apparatuses including an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP) capable of printing a document or an image.

Further, referring to Patent Document 1, there is disclosed a computing device capable of collectively setting parameters without being aware of the model of the device of the setting destination even if the devices of parameter setting targets are of different models. The computing device integrates two or more user interfaces of the plurality of user interfaces with two or more of the plurality of peripheral computing devices having user interfaces that require user input. It also replicates at least one user input of multiple user interfaces based on the integrated user interface. And, based on the integrated user interface, one or more instructions are configured to execute to output the replicated user settings for transmission to two or more of the plurality of peripheral computing devices.
That is, the technique of Patent Document 1 merely duplicates and transmits user input to a plurality of devices.

JP, 2010-92486, A

  However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, it is not possible to authenticate as another user in functional units and use functions.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that solves the above-mentioned problems.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of calling functions of a plurality of servers, and an instruction area for acquiring an instruction for calling the functions to any of the plurality of servers is disposed in one application. And an authentication execution unit that performs authentication with the server when authentication is required in the integrated placement unit and the function of the server corresponding to the designated area placed by the integrated placement unit, and the authentication execution unit The authentication status is controlled in association with the application, and a button for changing the authentication status is disposed in the designated area, and the function corresponding to the designated area is acquired when an instruction for the button is acquired. And an authentication state change unit that changes the authentication state of the authentication state, the authentication execution unit, in response to an instruction to the button, If you change the authorization status of the function, and performs authentication as another user.
In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the integrated placement unit includes the instruction area of the function requiring authentication by the authentication execution unit, and the instruction area of the function not requiring authentication by the authentication execution unit. The server may be disposed in the application, and the server corresponding to the function to be called may be different for each designated area.
The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the authentication state change unit holds the authentication state corresponding to the function, and does not need the authentication again even after calling a different function.
The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the authentication state changing unit arranges a button for changing all the authentication states of the plurality of servers outside the instruction area.
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described information processing apparatus.
An information processing method according to the present invention is an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus capable of calling functions of a plurality of servers, and the information processing apparatus calls the function to any of the plurality of servers. An instruction area for acquiring an instruction is arranged in one application, and when authentication is required in the function of the server corresponding to the arranged instruction area, authentication is performed with the server, and the authentication is authenticated The state is controlled in association with the application, and a button for changing the authentication state is disposed in the instruction area, and the authentication state of the function corresponding to the instruction area is acquired when an instruction for the button is acquired. When the authentication status of the function is changed by an instruction to the button, authentication as another user is performed. And wherein the Rukoto.

  According to the present invention, an instruction area for acquiring an instruction for calling a function to any of a plurality of servers is disposed in one application, and a button for changing an authentication state is further disposed in the instruction area. By performing authentication as another user in response to an instruction, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of authenticating as another user in function units and using functions.

1 is a system configuration diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the information processing system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the application execution process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of a screen of the application which concerns on the application execution process shown in FIG. It is an example of a screen of the application concerning other embodiments of the present invention.

Embodiment
[System Configuration of Information Processing System X]
First, the system configuration of an information processing system X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
In the information processing system X of the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 and a plurality of servers 2a, 2b, 2c,...
In addition, in the following, when any one of the servers 2a, 2b, 2c, ... is shown, it is simply referred to as the "server 2".

The image forming apparatus 1 is an information processing apparatus such as an MFP, a network scanner, a document scanner, a network FAX, and a printer with a scanner function. The image forming apparatus 1 can install and execute application software (Application Software, hereinafter, simply referred to as “application”).
Further, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 can call the functions of the plurality of servers 2 via this application. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can use various functions from the application. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 may be capable of instructing execution of a “workflow” that sequentially performs various processes by combining these various functions. As this workflow, for example, image processing, optical character recognition (OCR) processing, classification processing, and the like may be performed. In addition, as a workflow, after OCR processing and classification processing, etc., transmission processing to electronic mail (e-mail), shared directory (document box), or DMS (Document Management System) for business and office work, etc. may also be performed. It may be possible.

The server 2 is an information processing apparatus that can transmit and receive various data to and from the image forming apparatus 1 and can use various functions according to an instruction from the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the server 2 may be a general-purpose device, a personal computer (PC) server, a network attached storage (NAS), or the like. Further, the server 2 may perform user authentication (hereinafter, simply referred to as “authentication”) including login processing with the image forming apparatus 1.
In the example of FIG. 1, among the servers 2, for example, the server 2a processes the functions A and B, the server 2b processes the function C, and the server 2c processes the functions D, E, and F. , Each is feasible. That is, one server 2 may be able to execute processing of a plurality of functions.

Also, the server 2 may require authentication for each function. In this case, the server 2 may execute the process related to the function corresponding to the instruction of the image forming apparatus 1 only when the authentication state is entered for the function requiring authentication. Further, in the case of a function that does not require authentication, the server 2 may execute processing related to the function without authentication according to an instruction of the image forming apparatus 1. In the example of FIG. 1, for example, Function B, Function D, Function E, and Function F require authentication, and Function A and Function C do not require authentication.
Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration may be such that authentication is separately performed in the function unit of the server 2. That is, the authentication information may be different for each function of each server 2. In addition, the server 2 may connect a session for performing processing of a function with the image forming apparatus 1 in units of function. Also, as described later, for example, in the server 2, a plurality of functions may be grouped together as a “folder” and connectable with the same authentication information.
The information processing system X may include more servers 2 or servers 2 on a so-called "cloud".
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, functions that require authentication between different servers 2 may not support SSO (Single Sign-On) with a unified authentication account name or password.

  In the present embodiment, the network 5 is an intranet (Intranet) such as a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet or a cellular phone network. When the network 5 is a WAN, it may be connectable to another server 2 on a so-called "cloud" via a router (Router), a gateway (Gateway) or the like. Also, the network 5 may constitute a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image processing unit 11, an original reading unit 12, an original feeding unit 13, a sheet feeding unit 14, a network transmitting / receiving unit 15, an operation panel unit 16, an image forming unit 17 (image forming unit), and a fax. The transmitter / receiver 18 and the storage 19 are included. Each unit is connected to the control unit 10, and the operation control is performed by the control unit 10.

The control unit 10 includes a general purpose processor (GPP), a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and an application specific processor (ASIC). It is an information processing means such as an application specific processor).
The control unit 10 reads out the control program stored in the ROM or the HDD of the storage unit 19, develops the control program in the RAM, and executes the control program so that it can be operated as each means of functional blocks to be described later. It is.
Further, the control unit 10 controls the entire apparatus in accordance with predetermined instruction information input from an external terminal (not shown) or the operation panel unit 16.

The image processing unit 11 is a control calculation unit such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a graphics processing unit (GPU). The image processing unit 11 performs predetermined image processing on image data. The predetermined image processing may be, for example, processing such as enlargement / reduction, density adjustment, gradation adjustment, or image improvement.
Further, the image processing unit 11 stores the image read by the document reading unit 12 in the storage unit 19 as print data. At this time, the image processing unit 11 can also convert the print data into an electronic document such as PDF or a file of image data such as TIFF. Further, the image processing unit 11 may be able to execute at least a part of processing of the OCR.

The document reading unit 12 is a unit that reads (scans) a set document. Further, the document reading unit 12 is disposed on the upper portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.
The document reading unit 12 includes, for example, a scanner, a platen glass, and a document reading slit. When reading the document placed on the platen glass, the document reading unit 12 moves the scanner to a position facing the platen glass. Then, the document reading unit 12 reads the document placed on the platen glass while scanning the document, and acquires image data. The document reading unit 12 outputs the acquired image data to the control unit 10.

  Further, when reading the document fed from the document feeding unit 13, the document reading unit 12 moves the scanner to a position facing the document reading slit. Then, the document reading unit 12 reads a document in synchronization with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 13 via a document reading slit, and acquires image data. The document reading unit 12 outputs the acquired image data to the control unit 10.

The document feeding unit 13 is a unit that conveys a document read by the document reading unit 12. The document feeding unit 13 is disposed above the document reading unit 12.
The document feeding unit 13 includes a document placement unit and a document conveyance mechanism. The document feeding unit 13 feeds out the documents placed on the document placement unit one by one by the document conveyance mechanism and feeds the document to the document reading unit 12.

  The paper feed unit 14 is a unit for feeding the recording paper sheet by sheet to the image forming unit 17. The paper feed unit 14 is provided in the main body.

The network transmission / reception unit 15 is a network connection unit including a LAN board for connecting to the network 5 and a wireless transceiver.
The network transmission / reception unit 15 transmits / receives data in a line for data communication, and transmits / receives an audio signal in a voice telephone line.

The operation panel unit 16 is a unit that acquires a user's instruction and displays the state of the image forming apparatus 1 and the like.
The configuration of the operation panel unit 16 will be described later.

The image forming unit 17 is a unit configured to form an image on a recording sheet from data stored in the storage unit 19, read by the document reading unit 12, or acquired from an external terminal according to an output instruction of the user.
The image forming unit 17 includes a photosensitive drum, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, and the like. The image forming unit 17 records a toner image on a recording sheet by executing an image forming process including charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing.

  The FAX transmission / reception unit 18 is means for transmitting and receiving a facsimile. The FAX transmission / reception unit 18 can receive a facsimile from another FAX machine (not shown) via an audio line or the like, store it in the storage unit 19 and cause the image forming unit 17 to form an image. In addition, the FAX transmission / reception unit 18 converts the document read by the document reading unit 12 and the data of the network FAX transmitted from the external terminal into image data, and facsimile-transmits it to another FAX apparatus through an audio line or the like. Is possible.

The storage unit 19 is a storage unit using a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory, or a hard disk drive (HDD).
Even in the power saving state, the RAM of the storage unit 19 may hold the stored contents by a function such as self refresh.
A control program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is stored in the ROM, flash memory, or HDD of the storage unit 19. The control program includes an operating system (OS) having a function that allows the user to operate the apparatus with a GUI (Graphical User Interface) from the operation panel unit 16 or another terminal (not shown), programs such as various applications, and data. Contains. The control program also includes a WWW (World Wide Web) server, middleware, etc. operating on the OS.
In addition to this, the storage unit 19 may also store account settings of the user. In addition, the storage unit 19 may include an area of a document box for each user.

  The operation panel unit 16 also includes an input unit 20 and a display unit 21.

The input unit 20 is a touch panel, a switch, a button, or the like for acquiring various instructions from the user. The touch panel of the input unit 20 detects coordinates and the like on the display unit 21 pressed by the user by a resistance film method, a capacitance method, a strain detection method, or the like. Further, the input unit 20 may be multi-touch compatible.
The switch of the input unit 20 is, for example, a start key, a ten key, switching of an operation mode, a switch for acquiring an instruction to a selected document, or the like. This operation mode may be capable of switching modes such as copying and a scanner. The instruction to the selected document may be an instruction relating to printing, transmission, reception, and the like.
In addition, the input unit 20 may be capable of acquiring an instruction of the user with respect to each instruction area on the application described later.

The display unit 21 is a flat display panel such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electro-luminescence (OEL), a field emission display (FED), a fluorescent display tube, a projector, an LED for status display, or the like.
The display unit 21 can display various operation screens of the GUI. The operation screen includes an application screen, a display area displayed in the application, and for calling a function of the server 2 and various buttons.

In the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 10 and the image processing unit 11 may be integrally formed, such as a CPU with a built-in GPU or a chip-on-module package.
Further, the control unit 10 and the image processing unit 11 may incorporate a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, and the like.

[Functional Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1]
Here, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The control unit 10 includes an integrated placement unit 100, an authentication execution unit 110, and an authentication state change unit 120.
The storage unit 19 stores the arrangement data 200 and the authentication state data 210.

The integrated placement unit 100 places an instruction area for acquiring an instruction to call a function to any of the plurality of servers 2 in one application.
In the present embodiment, the integrated placement unit 100 displays, for example, a GUI screen of an application installed in the image forming apparatus 1 on the display unit 21 of the operation panel unit 16. Further, the integrated placement unit 100 arranges, for example, instruction areas for instructing processing of a plurality of functions in correspondence with the placement data 200 and arranges them in the screen of one application.
At this time, even if the integrated placement unit 100 places an instruction area of a function requiring authentication by the authentication execution unit 110 and an instruction area of a function not requiring authentication in the screen of one application. Good. In addition, the integrated placement unit 100 may place an instruction area in which the server 2 corresponding to the function to be called is different in the screen of one application. The integrated placement unit 100 may arrange and display the instruction areas in a tile form, a list form, or the like.
The integrated placement unit 100 may also place other menus, buttons, and the like for acquiring user's instructions to the application or displaying various information in the screen of one application.
In addition, the integrated placement unit 100 may obtain an instruction for calling a function in the instruction area from the input unit 20, and may call a function of the server 2 that is actually relevant. At this time, the integrated placement unit 100 may call a different function of the server 2 for each designated area.

  In addition, the integrated placement unit 100 may place the functions that can be authenticated by the same authentication information in the same server 2 as a folder together as a designated area.

When authentication is required in the function of the server 2 corresponding to the instruction area arranged by the integrated placement unit 100, the authentication execution unit 110 performs authentication with the server 2.
In the present embodiment, for example, when the user presses the instruction area by pressing the input area 20 or the like to instruct, the authentication execution section 110 connects to the server 2 that executes the processing of the function corresponding to the instruction area. At this time, when authentication is requested by the server 2, the authentication execution unit 110 acquires authentication information input by the user from the input unit 20 or the like, transmits this to the server 2, and performs authentication. The authentication execution unit 110 may set the authentication result and the authentication information in the authentication state data 210.

  In addition, the authentication execution unit 110 may authenticate the instruction area of the folder in which the functions are grouped when an instruction is acquired by pressing the folder or the like.

  The authentication execution unit 110 also authenticates the function of the authentication status change unit 120 according to an instruction for a button (hereinafter referred to as “another user change button”) disposed by the authentication status change unit 120 to authenticate as another user. When the status is changed, authentication as the other user is performed. Specifically, for the function corresponding to the other user authentication button, the authentication execution unit 110 authenticates the function of the server 2 corresponding to this function. The authentication execution unit 110 may set the authentication result data and the authentication information in the authentication state data 210 as authentication by another user.

The authentication state change unit 120 controls the authentication state authenticated by the authentication execution unit 110 in association with an application and / or a function.
Specifically, the authentication state change unit 120 may hold the authentication state corresponding to the function, and may not require authentication again even after calling a function different from the function. That is, in the present embodiment, the authentication state change unit 120 holds, for example, a connection session or the like when the authentication execution unit 110 has already authenticated. Thereby, when the user calls the same function, the process of the function is executed again in the authenticated state. In this manner, the authentication state changing unit 120 may control the authentication state authenticated by the authentication execution unit 110 in association with the function.
Further, in the present embodiment, at the end of execution of the application, for example, the authentication state change unit 120 disconnects the session or the like of the plurality of servers 2 having a function that can be called from the application, and returns to the non-authentication state. In this manner, the authentication state change unit 120 may control the authentication state authenticated by the authentication execution unit 110 in association with the application.

Further, the authentication state change unit 120 arranges another user change button in the instruction area. At this time, the authentication state change unit 120 may arrange another user change button also in the designated area of the folder in which the functions are grouped.
When the authentication state change unit 120 acquires an instruction for the different user change button, the authentication state change unit 120 changes the authentication state of the function corresponding to the instruction area. In the present embodiment, the authentication state change unit 120 creates a new session or the like to the server 2 for the function, and causes the authentication execution unit 110 to perform authentication again. Thereby, for example, authentication by another user can be performed temporarily to use the function.

The layout data 200 is data of a GUI of an application installed in the image forming apparatus 1. The arrangement data 200 includes information of a designated area corresponding to each function of the plurality of servers 2 on the application.
Specifically, the layout data 200 may be configured, for example, in a markup language such as XML or HTML, a macro language, or the like. Furthermore, the arrangement data 200 may include, for example, information of each area of the GUI that identifies each function. The arrangement data 200 may include, as the type of each area, an instruction area corresponding to the function of the server 2, an area of a GUI component such as a button or a menu, and the like. In addition, the arrangement data 200 may include, as information of each area, information such as an arrangement position, size, color, appearance such as a font, and a type of a user's instruction acquired by an application. Among these, the arrangement data 200 may include, for example, a ratio of division positions on an application, relative positions, and rectangular coordinates at pixel positions as information on the arrangement position of the designated area. Further, the arrangement data 200 may include, as the information of the designated area, information about the server 2 to be called and the type of function, the address and protocol of the server 2 to be called and function, data to be transmitted and received, settings and the like. Further, the arrangement data 200 may include, as the information of the instruction area, data described in a macro language or a script language indicating a workflow procedure or the like.
Further, the arrangement data 200 may include, for example, a description of a button or the like that can be displayed on the application screen 300 (application screen) for instructing a specific process. This button may include a button for closing (closing) the application, a button for adding or changing a workflow, setting of other special printing methods, setting of arrangement of functions, and the like.
The arrangement data 200 may include, for example, a button for changing the authentication state of the session regarding each function of the server 2 inside and outside each designation area.

The authentication state data 210 is data indicating an authentication state performed with the server 2 by the authentication execution unit 110. Specifically, the authentication status data 210 includes information on an authentication status corresponding to each function of the server 2. Further, as the authentication status data 210, as the information of the authentication status, for example, the “authenticated status” in which the authentication is successful and the function of the server 2 can be called, and the status of unauthenticated or authentication failed. It may include information of "non-authentication status". In addition, in the case of the authenticated state, the authentication state data 210 may include information of the state of the session of the connection to this function. The information on the state of the session may include information such as authentication information related to authentication by the user, connection time from the start of session connection, and time until disconnection.
Further, in the present embodiment, common information for each function may be used as the authentication state data 210, or different information may be used. The authentication status data 210 can also include individual authentication information that differs for each server 2 or function to be called. Also, the authentication status data 210 may be encrypted.

Here, the control unit 10 is made to function as the integrated placement unit 100, the authentication execution unit 110, and the authentication state change unit 120 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 19.
Further, each unit of the above-described image forming apparatus 1 is a hardware resource that executes the image forming method of the present invention.
Note that a part or an arbitrary combination of the above-described functional configurations may be configured as hardware by an IC, programmable logic, or the like.

[Application Execution Process by Image Forming Apparatus 1]
Next, application execution processing by the image forming apparatus 1 of the information processing system X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The application execution processing of the present embodiment is processing of an information processing method executed by the image forming apparatus 1 capable of calling functions of a plurality of servers 2. In the application execution process, an instruction area for acquiring an instruction to call a function to any one of the plurality of servers 2 is arranged and displayed in the screen of one application. At this time, another user change button is arranged in the instruction area. Also, when execution of a function is instructed from this instruction area, connection is made to the corresponding server 2, and when authentication is required, authentication is performed with the server 2. In addition, the authentication state of authentication is controlled in association with the application and / or the function. In addition, another user change button in the instruction area allows authentication as another user.
In the application execution process of the present embodiment, the control unit 10 mainly executes a program stored in the storage unit 19 in cooperation with each unit and using hardware resources.
Details of the application execution process will be described step by step with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 below.

(Step S101)
First, the integrated placement unit 100 and the authentication state change unit 120 perform integrated placement processing.
When one application is executed, the integrated placement unit 100 displays the screen of the application on the display unit 21.
Here, the integrated placement unit 100 places and draws an instruction area for each function with reference to the placement data 200. At this time, the integrated placement unit 100 may arrange and place instruction areas for instructing processing of a plurality of functions. In addition, the integrated placement unit 100 may set the function requiring authentication and the function not requiring authentication for each designated area, and may also set the called server 2 differently.
In addition, the integrated placement unit 100 may similarly place the folder as a group of functions as an instruction area.
In addition, the integrated placement unit 100 may also place a button or the like for ending the application in the screen of the same application.
As described with reference to FIG. 5A, the application screen 300 is an example of a main screen (home screen) displayed by one application. In the example of the application screen 300, the integrated placement unit 100 designates an instruction area Ra corresponding to the function A, an instruction area Rb corresponding to the function B, an instruction area Rc corresponding to the function C, and an instruction area Rd corresponding to the function D. Place each. In addition, the integrated placement unit 100 causes the authentication state change unit 120 to disconnect the session connection, and places a “close” button B1 for ending the application on the application screen 300.
In addition, in the application screen 301 (application screen) of FIG. 5B, the integrated placement unit 100 places a designated area Rg of the folder in which the functions are grouped.

Further, the authentication state changing unit 120 refers to the arrangement data 200, and arranges a button for changing the authentication state in each designated area requiring authentication via the integrated placement unit 100. In the present embodiment, the authentication state change unit 120 arranges another user change button as a button for changing the authentication state.
In the example of the application screen 300 of FIG. 5A, the authentication state change unit 120 sets the button B2b to the designated area Rb corresponding to the function B and the designated area Rd corresponding to the function D as an example of the different user change button. Each button B2d is arranged.
Further, in the example of the application screen 301 of FIG. 5B, the authentication state change unit 120 arranges the button B2g in the designated area Rg of the folder in which the functions are grouped. Also in this example, the button B2d may be arranged in the designated area Rd corresponding to the function D.

(Step S102)
Here, the integrated placement unit 100 performs function etc. selection processing.
The integrated placement unit 100 acquires an instruction such that the user has selected and pressed the input unit 20 for a portion other than the button in the instruction area on the GUI. That is, the integrated placement unit 100 acquires an instruction for selecting a function or folder corresponding to the instruction area.
Then, the integrated placement unit 100 refers to the placement data 200 to determine which of the servers 2 should be connected.

(Step S103)
Next, the authentication execution unit 110 determines whether authentication is necessary. The authentication execution unit 110 refers to the authentication status data 210, and when the selected function or folder is called, if authentication is required in a non-authentication status that requires authentication with the corresponding server 2, Yes to decide. In other cases, that is, the authentication execution unit 110 determines No when authentication of the function is in the authenticated state or authentication of the function is not necessary in the first place.
In the case of Yes, the authentication execution unit 110 proceeds with the process to step S104.
In the case of No, the authentication execution unit 110 proceeds with the process to step S106.

(Step S104)
When authentication is required, the authentication execution unit 110 performs an authentication process.
The authentication execution unit 110 refers to the layout data 200, connects to the address of the server 2 related to the function of the selected instruction area, and performs authentication.
Specifically, the authentication execution unit 110 may perform, for example, login processing or the like as this authentication. In this login process, authentication execution unit 110 displays an authentication screen on display unit 21 as password authentication, and causes authentication unit 110 to enter authentication information including the user's ID (Identification), account name, password, etc. from input unit 20. May be Further, the authentication execution unit 110 performs authentication using an ID card such as an IC card or a magnetic card, PIN authentication by inputting a few digits, biometric authentication such as fingerprint authentication, vein authentication, glow authentication, face authentication, etc. Authentication such as a combination of various authentications may be performed.
The authentication execution unit 110 sets this authentication result in the authentication state data 210. At this time, the authentication execution unit 110 also performs authentication status data for each function regarding authentication information such as the user ID, account name, password, ID card data, PIN number, biometric data, etc. input at the time of login processing. It may be set to 210. The authentication information included in the authentication state data 210 may be held only when the application is executed, may be held only while the application is installed, or may be held after the installation.

(Step S105)
Next, the authentication execution unit 110 determines whether the authentication is successful. The authentication execution unit 110 determines Yes when the authentication is successful. Otherwise, the authentication execution unit 110 determines No.
In the case of Yes, the authentication execution unit 110 proceeds with the process to step S106.
In the case of No, the authentication execution unit 110 proceeds with the process to step S107.

(Step S106)
Here, the integrated placement unit 100 and the authentication state change unit 120 perform function execution processing.
The integrated placement unit 100 causes the server 2 or the like to execute processing for the selected function, and acquires the result. The integrated placement unit 100 may refer to the placement data 200 and cause the corresponding server 2 to execute processing in accordance with settings for data to be transmitted and received, a protocol, and the like. In addition, the integrated placement unit 100 may execute the workflow in response to data described in the macro language or script language of the corresponding designated area.

Further, at this time, when the session is disconnected due to the passage of a specific time or another cause, the authentication state change unit 120 may re-authenticate using the authentication state data 210.
By configuring in this way, the session is maintained while the app is running. For this reason, when using the function for which authentication has been performed once, it is not necessary to perform authentication again. That is, the authentication execution unit 110 can control the authentication state in association with the function.
In addition, the authentication state changing unit 120 may perform authentication using the stored authentication state data 210 when authentication relating to another function is simultaneously required on the instruction area displayed by the integrated placement unit 100. At this time, the authentication state change unit 120 may pass the authentication state data 210 to another function and transmit the same to the server 2 corresponding to the other function.
In addition, after specific time passes, you may comprise so that it may return to a non-authentication state, without performing authentication again automatically.

(Step S107)
Here, the authentication state change unit 120 determines whether or not to authenticate as another user. Authentication state change unit 120 determines Yes when an instruction to the button has been acquired by pressing another user change button in the instruction area at input unit 20 or the like.
For example, in the application screen 300 of FIG. 5A, the authentication state change unit 120 determines Yes when the button B2b and the button B2d are respectively pressed. Further, for example, in the application screen 301 of FIG. 5B, the authentication state change unit 120 determines Yes when the button B2g and the button B2d are respectively pressed. In any other case, the authentication state change unit 120 determines No.
In the case of Yes, the authentication state change unit 120 proceeds with the process to step S108.
In the case of No, the authentication state change unit 120 proceeds with the process to step S109.

(Step S108)
When the instruction to the different user change button is acquired, the authentication state change unit 120 and the authentication execution unit 110 perform the separate user authentication process.
First, the authentication state change unit 120 changes the authentication state of the function corresponding to the instruction area. In the present embodiment, the authentication state change unit 120 creates a new session or the like different from the session or the like to the server 2 for the function.
On this basis, the authentication execution unit 110 performs authentication as a separate user with the server 2 corresponding to this function for the function corresponding to the separate user authentication button. The authentication execution unit 110 may perform this authentication in the same manner as the authentication process of step S104.
In the example of FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), when the button B2b, the button B2d, and the button B2g of another user change button are pressed, the authentication execution unit 110 respectively corresponds to the corresponding server 2a and server as another user. Perform authentication with 2c. That is, at this time, the user can perform authentication with another account and use the function by this account.
In addition, at the time of the authentication as another user, the authentication execution part 110 may leave the authentication state about the other function of the said authentication as it is. That is, when the authentication execution unit 110 is in the authenticated state for another function of the same server 2 or another server 2, these sessions may be held. In addition, when these sessions are disconnected, the authentication execution unit 110 may re-authenticate based on the authentication status data 210.
Further, after authenticating as another user by pressing another user change button, authentication execution unit 110 refers to authentication state data 210 when authentication state change unit 120 changes the authentication state of the function to the non-authentication state. , May be re-authenticated. That is, you may return to the authentication by the original account.

(Step S109)
Here, the authentication state change unit 120 determines whether the end of the application has been instructed. When the end of the application is instructed from the user at the input unit 20, the authentication state change unit 120 determines Yes. For example, when the button B1 for “close” is pressed on the application screen 300 of FIG. 5 or the end of the application is instructed from the menu, the authentication state change unit 120 determines Yes. In any other case, the authentication state change unit 120 determines No.
In the case of Yes, the authentication state change unit 120 proceeds with the process to step S110.
In the case of No, the authentication state change unit 120 returns the process to step S102 and continues acquisition of the function call instruction by the user.

(Step S110)
When termination of the application is instructed, the authentication state change unit 120 performs non-authentication state transition processing.
The authentication state change unit 120 disconnects the connection with all the servers 2 in accordance with the end of the application. Specifically, at the end of execution of the application, the authentication state change unit 120 disconnects the session or the like of the plurality of servers 2 having functions that can be called from the application, and returns to the non-authentication state. Set As a result, the authentication state change unit 120 can control the authentication state by the authentication execution unit 110 in association with the application.
In the present embodiment, when the terminated application is executed again, authentication is performed again. In this way, once authentication is performed during application execution, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user while enhancing security because authentication is not required again. Conversely, authentication may be performed using authentication data to automatically shift from the non-authentication to the authenticated state.
Thus, the application execution process according to the embodiment of the present invention is completed.

By configuring as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
Conventionally, in a system such as Patent Document 1, when it is intended to call functions of a plurality of servers having different authentication information, it has been necessary to perform authentication one by one. Specifically, in the prior art, it was necessary to call the functions of multiple servers from separate applications. Because of this, when each application was closed to use another function, the connection (session) with the server was terminated and the connection state was the same as when you logged off.
As a result, in the prior art, each time an application is switched, authentication is required again, and the user has to re-enter authentication information. In other words, if you switch applications and the application you want to use next requires authentication, you had to authenticate one by one.
Therefore, in the prior art, for example, when printing a specific record as an administrator, or creating documents such as slips in a workflow, I want to create as a "person in charge of accounting" instead of "general user", Even when it is desired to perform such processing, it was necessary to once terminate the application and re-authenticate. As a result, it did not meet the needs of users, such as "I just want to use the function with another account." Because of this, it took the trouble of the user.
On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of calling the functions of the plurality of servers 2, and an instruction to call the function to any of the plurality of servers 2 is given. When authentication is required in the integrated placement unit 100 for placing the designated area to be acquired in one application and the server 2 corresponding to the designated area placed by the integrated placement unit 100, authentication is performed with the server 2 The authentication execution unit 110 controls the authentication state authenticated by the authentication execution unit 110 in association with the application, and further arranges another user change button for changing the authentication state in the designated area, and instructs the other user change button And an authentication state change unit 120 which changes the authentication state of the function corresponding to the designated area when acquiring Indicated by, if the authentication state changing section 120 changes the authentication status of the function, and performs authentication as another user.
By configuring in this way, it is possible to authenticate as another user in functional units and use the functions. That is, it becomes possible to authenticate as another user in the function unit of the server 2 and temporarily switch to a specific account to use the function.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since authentication is performed in units of designated areas, there is no need to perform authentication after each termination of the application when calling functions of a plurality of servers. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the effort of authentication that occurs when using a plurality of different functions, and to improve usability.
Further, even when a function requiring authentication is called, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment does not have to perform operations such as re-authentication and activation and termination of an application for using each function. For this reason, the number of operation steps can be reduced as compared with the case of calling a function from each application.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the integrated placement unit 100 has a designated area of a function requiring authentication by the authentication execution unit 110 and a function not requiring authentication by the authentication execution unit 110. It may be disposed in the application, and the server 2 corresponding to the function to be called may be different for each designated area.
By configuring in this way, a plurality of different functions can be effectively used from one application. That is, the function requiring authentication by the user, the function not requiring authentication by the user, and the function provided by different servers 2 can be uniformly used. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the authentication state changing unit 120 holds the authentication state corresponding to the function, and does not need to perform the authentication again even after calling a different function. It features.
By this configuration, it is possible to keep holding the authentication status with the server 2 when calling a specific function. Therefore, when switching to a different function and using it, once logging in to the corresponding server 2, it is possible to use the specified function without inputting authentication information again. Also, even if the session ends for some reason, the user does not have to enter authentication information one by one.
If the authentication information is held even after the application ends, the user does not have to input the authentication information even when the application is ended and reactivated.

Other Embodiments
In the above-mentioned embodiment, when the function of the server 2 is different, an example in which the authentication information is different is described. Also, in the case of the same authentication information, it is described as being organized in a folder.
However, in the same server 2, even if the functions are different, the configuration may be such that authentication with the same authentication information is possible. In this case, if the servers accessed when using different functions are the same, the connection may be made using an already connected session. It should be noted that the same server 2 means that the IP address, domain name, URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and / or port number etc. of the server 2 that can be connected by the function is included in the layout data 200 and the authentication status data 210. You may specify by.
In the example of the application screen 302 (application screen) of FIG. 6, when authentication with respect to the function B of the instruction area Rb is performed, connection is made to “aaa.aaa.aaa.aaa:443” which is the server 2a. . Further, in the case where authentication is performed on any of the function D, the function E, and the function F in the indication area Rd, the indication area Re, and the indication area Rf, “bbb.bbb.bbb.bbb: 8443” which is the server 2b. Connect to
Thus, once the function of the same server 2 is authenticated, there is no need to re-authenticate when using other functions.

  In addition, as described in the example of the application screen 302, the authentication state change unit 120 may arrange another user change button for each function that requires authentication. In this case, when the buttons B2d, B2e, and B2f for another user change button are pressed, a session with another user may be created only for the function for which the button is pressed. As a result, other functions used by the same server 2b can be used as they are, and it is not necessary to perform authentication again.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it described as holding | maintenance of an authentication state per application. However, the authentication state may be maintained for each function, or the authentication state of all the functions may be set to a non-authentication state while the application is being executed. That is, for example, the authentication state change unit 120 arranges a button for changing the authentication state of each server in the instruction area, and arranges a button for changing all the authentication states of a plurality of servers outside the instruction area. May be
By configuring in this way, it is possible to change the authentication state for each function or for all functions when the application is executed. Therefore, the authentication status can be flexibly changed, for example, when the user wants to authenticate only the necessary functions or when he / she wants to keep the application running for a long time, or when the security of the user is concerned.

  The present invention is also applicable to information processing apparatuses other than image forming apparatuses. That is, a network scanner or a server or the like separately connected by a USB or the like may be used.

  Further, it goes without saying that the configurations and operations of the above-described embodiments are examples, and can be appropriately changed and executed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Reference Signs List 1 image forming apparatus 2, 2a, 2b, 2c server 5 network 10 control unit 11 image processing unit 12 document reading unit 13 document feeding unit 14 document feeding unit 15 network transmission / reception unit 16 operation panel unit 17 image formation unit 18 FAX transmission / reception unit 19 storage unit 20 input unit 21 display unit 100 integrated arrangement unit 110 authentication execution unit 120 authentication state change unit 200 arrangement data 210 authentication state data 300, 301, 302 application screens B1, B2b, B2d, B2e, B2f, B2g button Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd Designated area X Information processing system

Claims (6)

An information processing apparatus capable of calling functions of multiple servers,
An integrated placement unit for placing an instruction area for obtaining an instruction to call the function to any one of the plurality of servers in one application;
An authentication execution unit that performs authentication with the server when authentication is required in the function of the server corresponding to the designated area arranged by the integrated placement unit;
The authentication area authenticated by the authentication execution unit is controlled in association with the application, and a button for changing the authentication state is disposed in the instruction area, and an instruction for the button is acquired. An authentication state change unit that changes the authentication state of the function corresponding to
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication execution unit performs authentication as another user when the authentication state change unit changes the authentication state of the function according to an instruction to the button. The integrated placement unit
The instruction area of the function requiring authentication by the authentication execution unit and the instruction area of the function not requiring authentication by the authentication execution unit may be arranged in the application.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the server corresponding to the function to be called may be different for each of the designated areas. The authentication status change unit is
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication state corresponding to the function is held, and the second authentication is not required even after calling a different function. The authentication status change unit is
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a button for changing all the authentication states of the plurality of servers is arranged outside the instruction area. An image forming apparatus comprising the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus capable of calling functions of a plurality of servers, the information processing apparatus comprising:
An instruction area for acquiring an instruction to call the function to any one of the plurality of servers is arranged in one application,
If authentication is required in the function of the server corresponding to the placed instruction area, authentication is performed with the server,
Controlling an authenticated authentication state in association with the application, and arranging a button for changing the authentication state in the designated area;
When the instruction for the button is acquired, the authentication state of the function corresponding to the instruction area is changed;
When the said authentication state of the said function is changed by instruction | indication with respect to the said button, authentication as another user is performed. The information processing method characterized by the above-mentioned.

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