JP2020015265A - Image formation apparatus, control method and program of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique which allows a user who has performed the setting to confirm the existence of a secure printing job input to an image formation apparatus in a case of performing the setting of restricting the reception of a user operation in an operation unit of the image formation apparatus.SOLUTION: A PC receives the setting (operation unit lock setting) of restricting the reception of a user operation in an operation unit of an image formation apparatus via an operation screen of a remote UI (S101-S103). The PC determines whether or not a secure printing job is stored in the image formation apparatus in accordance with the reception of the operation unit lock setting (S106-S107). The PC displays the notification indicating the existence of the secure printing job to a user who has performed the operation unit lock setting in a case where it is determined that the secure printing job is stored in the image formation apparatus (S108).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  An image that can be set to prohibit key operation from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus (operation unit lock) in order to prevent a user other than the administrator from performing operations unintended by the administrator on the image forming apparatus. There is a forming device. This is used, for example, when an image forming apparatus is placed in an educational institution such as a school to enable use by students, and is used to prevent students from changing the settings of the image forming apparatus by mistake. . In addition, when the image forming apparatus is arranged in a public space and can be used by an unspecified number of users, the administrator may set an operation unit lock in order to prevent a setting change from the operation unit. is there.

  In general, setting and release of the operation unit lock can be performed by a special operation on the operation unit by an administrator of the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus has an external interface for displaying a remote UI screen (which may be referred to as “remote UI” or “RUI”) on an external device such as a PC connected to the network, and the remote UI. In some cases, the setting and release of the operation unit lock can be performed from an external device via an external device. Patent Literature 1 proposes a method of permitting or prohibiting a device setting change from an external device in conjunction with such an operation unit lock state.

JP 2014-16577 A

  In the image forming apparatus as described above, when the operation unit lock is set, the secure print function that requires a user operation on the operation unit may not be available. The secure print function is a function that starts printing by designating a password when a job is input by a printer driver on the host side, and when the user selects a job and inputs the designated password on the operation unit on the image forming apparatus side. .

  For example, when the administrator sets the operation unit lock on the remote UI screen without noticing that the secure print job is accumulated in the image forming apparatus, the administrator may set the secure print job for the secure print job in the operation unit of the image forming apparatus. The operation cannot be performed by the user. As a result, a situation may occur in which the user cannot select a secure print job and input a password on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, and cannot execute the secure print job input to the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. The present invention enables a user who has made a setting for restricting reception of a user operation in an operation unit of an image forming apparatus to confirm the presence of a secure print job input to the image forming apparatus. It aims to provide technology.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit that receives a user operation, a reception unit that receives a setting for restricting reception of a user operation in the operation unit from a user having administrator authority, and a reception unit that receives the setting. Determining, in response to receiving the setting, whether or not a secure print job requiring input of a password at the operation unit for starting printing is stored in the image forming apparatus; and Control means for displaying a notification indicating the presence of the secure print job to the user who has made the setting, when the determination is made by the determination means that the secure print job is stored in the forming apparatus, It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, when performing setting for restricting reception of a user operation in the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, the user who has performed the setting confirms the existence of a secure print job input to the image forming apparatus. Becomes possible.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen provided by the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen provided by the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen provided by the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen provided by the image forming apparatus. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process related to an operation unit lock setting. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process related to an operation unit lock setting. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing when receiving a print job. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process when operating a secure print job. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process when operating a secure print job.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means for solving the invention.

<Image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a controller unit 101, a printing unit 107, a reading unit 109, an operation unit 110, and a line interface (I / F) 112 controlled by the controller unit 101.

  The controller unit 101 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 100. The operation unit 110 has a display having a touch panel function and operation keys, and is used for receiving a user operation on the image forming apparatus 100 and for displaying various information and an operation screen.

  The printing unit 107 (printer engine) prints an image on a sheet (recording paper or the like) based on the image data. The reading unit 109 optically reads an image from a document, converts the image into a digital image, and outputs the digital image. The line I / F 112 is connected to a public line network 114 via a telephone line 113.

  The controller unit 101 includes a CPU 102, a RAM 103, a ROM 104, a printing unit I / F 106, a reading unit I / F 108, a modem 111, and a network I / F 118 as devices connected to the system bus 105.

  The CPU 102 controls each device via the system bus 105 by reading various control programs stored in the ROM 104 into the RAM 103 and executing them. The ROM 104 includes not only the control program but also font information for displaying characters or symbols on the display unit of the operation unit 110 and various data such as device information of the image forming apparatus 100, telephone directory information of the user, and department management information. Are stored. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may include a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD for storing various control programs and various data.

  The printing unit I / F 106 and the reading unit I / F 108 function as interfaces to the printing unit 107 and the reading unit 109, respectively. The CPU 102 acquires the image data output from the reading unit 109 via the reading unit I / F 109. Further, the CPU 102 outputs image data for printing by the printing unit 107 to the printing unit 107 via the printing unit I / F 106.

  The modem 111 is connected to a public line network 114 via a line I / F 112, and communicates with other image forming apparatuses, facsimile apparatuses, telephones, and other external devices. The network I / F 118 can communicate with an external device via a network 120 such as a LAN or the Internet, and can communicate with, for example, a PC 121 which is a host computer. Note that each of the reading unit 109 and the printing unit 107 may be provided outside the apparatus, instead of being provided inside the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIG.

<Operation section>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the operation unit 110. The operation unit 110 has a display unit 201, touch button keys 202, and hard keys 203. A touch sensor is attached to the display unit 201 and the touch button keys 202, and the touch sensor can detect a touch by a user's finger or a touch pen.

  The display unit 201 has a touch panel function of a touch sensor, and functions not only as a display unit that displays an operation screen for a user but also as a reception unit that receives a user operation. The CPU 102 displays an operation screen such as a setting screen or a function screen (for example, a screen of a copy function) on the display unit 201 in response to a user operation. By touching each of the touch button keys 202, the user can input an instruction (for example, a home screen display instruction) corresponding to each key. Further, by pressing the hard key 203, the user can input an instruction corresponding to the hard key. In the present embodiment, the hard key 203 is used for instructing display of an operation screen for setting a volume such as a communication volume. As the hard key 203, for example, a hard key such as a ten key or a cross key may be provided.

<Example of operation screen>
Next, an example of an operation screen provided by the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 3 to 5 mainly show the operation screens of the local UI displayed on the operation unit 110. However, the setting screens 900 and 910 shown in FIGS. 7 is an operation screen of a remote UI displayed on a display unit of an external device. However, an operation screen on which the same settings as the setting screens 900 and 910 can be set may be displayed on the operation unit 110 as the operation screen of the local UI.

  FIG. 3A shows a home screen 300 as an example of an operation screen provided by the image forming apparatus 100. In the image forming apparatus 100, the setting for displaying the home screen 300 on the display unit 201 first after the power-off state is started is set as a default setting. When the user touches a home screen button among the touch button keys 202 provided on the operation unit 110, the home screen 300 is displayed on the display unit 201. In the home screen 300, a plurality of buttons (icons) such as a copy button 301, a menu button 302, a secure button 303, and a status confirmation button 304 are arranged. When the user touches any of the buttons, the display on the display unit 201 changes to a screen corresponding to the touched button.

  FIG. 3B shows a copy screen 400 as an example of an operation screen provided by the image forming apparatus 100. When the copy button 301 in the home screen 300 is touched, the CPU 102 causes the display on the display unit 201 to transition from the home screen 300 to the copy screen 400. On the copy screen 400, various settings relating to the copy job can be made. On the copy screen 400, default settings are displayed in advance. This default setting can be changed using another operation screen. For example, a copy magnification can be set by selecting a magnification setting 401, and a single-sided printing or a double-sided printing can be set as a printing method by selecting a double-sided setting 402. When the execution button 403 is touched, the CPU 102 executes the copy job by operating the reading unit 109 and the printing unit 107 in accordance with the settings on the copy screen 400.

  FIG. 3C illustrates a menu screen 500 which is an example of an operation screen provided by the image forming apparatus 100. When menu button 302 in home screen 300 is touched, CPU 102 causes display of display unit 201 to transition from home screen 300 to menu screen 500. On the menu screen 500, various settings (environment settings 501 and the like) relating to the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 can be made, and default settings for various jobs such as a copy job can be changed.

  FIG. 3D illustrates a status confirmation screen 600 which is an example of an operation screen provided by the image forming apparatus 100. When the status confirmation button 304 in the home screen 300 is touched, the CPU 102 causes the display on the display unit 201 to transition from the home screen 300 to the status confirmation screen 600. Using the status confirmation screen 600, the user can refer to various information related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 100, such as the current job execution status and network information.

  FIG. 4 shows a secure print screen 700 which is an example of an operation screen provided by the image forming apparatus 100. When secure button 303 in home screen 300 is touched, CPU 102 causes display of display unit 201 to transition from home screen 300 to secure print screen 700. On the secure print screen 700, a list of secure print files received from the PC 121 or a file server (not shown) is displayed.

  The secure print job is a print job that requires input of a password on the operation unit 110 to start printing. When the execution button 701 is touched after the file is selected, the CPU 102 displays on the display unit 201 an input screen 710 of a password (a password in this example) for executing a secure print job. When the user inputs a password for executing the secure print job on the input screen 710 and touches the confirm button 711, the execution of the secure print job selected on the secure print screen 700 is started. When starting execution of the selected secure print job, the CPU 102 displays an execution screen 720 on the display unit 201.

<Setting of operation section lock>
In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 102 can enable or disable the above-described operation unit lock, which restricts reception of a user operation on the operation unit 110, according to settings. The CPU 102 enables or disables the operation unit lock according to the setting made by the user having the administrator authority from the operation unit 110 or the setting made by the user having the administrator authority from the external device such as the PC 121 via the network. To

  When the operation unit lock is valid (ON), the reception of a user operation in the operation unit 110 is prohibited. Except for a user operation via some keys (for example, the touch button keys 202) in the operation unit 110, reception of a user operation in the operation unit 110 may be prohibited. Here, an example will be described in which the operation unit is locked in accordance with the settings made from the PC 121 via the operation screen of the remote UI.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B show setting screens 900 and 910, which are examples of operation screens used for setting an operation unit lock for restricting reception of a user operation on the operation unit 110. FIG. In the present embodiment, the setting screens 900 and 910 are operation screens of a remote UI (RUI) displayed as a Web page by a Web browser on a display unit of an external device such as the PC 121. The image forming apparatus 100 can provide such an RUI as an HTML-format Web page to an external device such as the PC 121 communicable via the network 120. In the present embodiment, when the link 901 is selected by a user (administrator) having administrator authority on the setting screen 900 displayed on the PC 121, the screen display of the PC 121 transits to the setting screen 910.

  On the setting screen 910, the administrator can use the selection button 911 to select whether the lock of the operation unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 is enabled (on) or disabled (off). When the administrator selects enable / disable of the operation unit lock using the selection button 911 and touches the setting button 912, the setting of the operation unit lock is reflected as the setting of the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, the setting content on the setting screen 910 is transmitted from the PC 121 to the image forming apparatus 100 via the RUI, and the setting according to the setting content is performed. When the cancel button 913 is touched, the settings on the setting screen 910 are discarded. However, as described later with reference to FIG. 6, when there is a secure print job waiting for authentication (waiting for execution) in the image forming apparatus 100, a notification indicating the fact is displayed.

  FIG. 5C shows the display unit 201 when a button (for example, the secure button 303) in the home screen 300 is touched in a state where the setting of the operation unit lock is valid (the operation unit is in a locked state). (Lock screen 920) of the screen displayed in FIG. The lock screen 920 includes, as a notification message to the administrator, a message indicating that the operation unit 110 is in a locked state (that is, the operation by the user is restricted).

<Process Related to Operation Unit Lock Setting (First Example)>
FIG. 6A illustrates an operation screen displayed when a secure print job waiting for authentication exists in image forming apparatus 100 when the operation unit lock setting is enabled using setting screen 910. An example (first example) is shown. In this example, when the operation unit lock setting is activated using the setting screen 910 (that is, when the selection button 911 is selected and the setting button 912 is touched), as shown in FIG. A window 930 is displayed on the setting screen 910.

  Window 930 includes a notification message to the administrator indicating that a secure print job waiting for authentication exists in image forming apparatus 100. This notification message can alert the administrator who has performed the operation of validating the operation unit lock setting that a secure print job waiting for authentication exists. That is, it is possible to notify the administrator that the user cannot operate the operation unit 110 due to the setting of the operation unit lock, so that the secure print job already input to the image forming apparatus 100 may not be executed. When the OK button 931 in the window 930 is touched, the window 930 is switched to non-display (display ends).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure (first example) related to the operation unit lock setting for the image forming apparatus 100 in the PC 121 according to the present embodiment. The processing of each step illustrated in FIG. 7 is realized in the PC 121 by reading and executing a control program stored in a storage device in the PC 121 by a CPU (not shown). In this processing, when the administrator performs an operation for setting the operation unit lock, the administrator can confirm that the secure print job is accumulated in the image forming apparatus 100.

  First, in step S101, the PC 121 displays a setting screen 910 for setting the operation unit lock of the image forming apparatus 100 on the display unit of the PC. The setting screen 910 is an operation screen of the RUI of the image forming apparatus 100, and is displayed as a Web page by a Web browser.

  Next, in S102, the PC 121 receives an operation by the administrator on the displayed setting screen 910. Thereafter, in S103, the PC 121 determines whether or not the setting button 912 has been pressed (touched). If the setting button 912 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S105. If not, the process proceeds to S104. Proceed. In step S104, the PC 121 determines whether the cancel button 913 has been pressed (touched). If the cancel button has been pressed, the PC 121 ends the process. If the cancel button has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S102. return.

  In S105, the PC 121 determines whether the setting of the operation unit lock is valid (ON). The PC 121 ends the process when the setting of the operation unit lock is off, and advances the process to S106 when the setting of the operation unit lock is on.

  Next, in step S106, the PC 121 acquires a list of print jobs stored in the image forming apparatus 100 from the image forming apparatus 100. In step S107, the PC 121 determines whether a secure print job exists in the acquired list. judge. If there is no secure print job in the acquired list, the PC 121 ends the process. If there is a secure print job in the acquired list, the process proceeds to S108.

  In step S108, the PC 121 displays, on the display unit of the PC, a notification message (in this example, a window 930) indicating that there is a secure print job waiting for authentication in the image forming apparatus 100, and proceeds to step S109. . In step S109, when the OK button 931 in the window 930 is pressed (touched) (that is, when the non-display of the window 930 is instructed), the PC 121 proceeds to step S110. In S110, the PC 121 completes the display of the notification message by hiding the window 930, and ends the processing.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the PC 121 receives, via the setting screen 910, the operation unit lock setting for restricting the reception of the user operation on the operation unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. The PC 121 determines whether or not a secure print job is stored in the image forming apparatus 100 in response to receiving the operation unit lock setting. When it is determined that the secure print job is stored in the image forming apparatus 100, the PC 121 displays a notification indicating the presence of the secure print job on the window 930 to the user who has set the operation unit lock. I do. Thus, the user who has set the operation unit lock on the operation unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 can confirm the existence of the secure print job input to the image forming apparatus 100.

  The process of the first example described above can be realized by the printer driver of the PC 121, but can also be realized by the CPU 102 of the image forming apparatus 100. In that case, the CPU 102 accepts the operation unit lock setting via the RUI setting screen 910. The CPU 102 determines whether a secure print job is stored in the image forming apparatus 100 in response to receiving the operation unit lock setting. If it is determined that the secure print job is stored in the image forming apparatus 100, the CPU 102 displays a notification indicating the presence of the secure print job to the user who has performed the operation unit lock setting via the RUI. I do. Further, the above-described processing of the first example can be similarly realized using an operation screen displayed on the operation unit 110.

<Process Related to Operation Unit Lock Setting (Second Example)>
Next, a modified example of the first example will be described. FIG. 6B illustrates an example of an operation screen displayed when a secure print job waiting for authentication exists in image forming apparatus 100 when the operation unit lock setting is enabled using setting screen 910. An example (second example) is shown. In this example, when the operation unit lock setting is activated using the setting screen 910, a window 940 is displayed on the setting screen 910 as shown in FIG.

  Window 940 includes a notification message to the administrator indicating that there is a secure print job waiting for authentication in image forming apparatus 100, similarly to window 930 shown in FIG. 6A. The window 940 further includes a cancel button 941, a setting button 942, and a confirmation button 943. The cancel button 941 is used to invalidate (turn off) the operation unit lock setting. The setting button 942 is used to maintain the operation unit lock setting as enabled (on) without invalidating it. The confirmation button 943 is used to display the status of a secure print job in the image forming apparatus 100.

  FIG. 6C illustrates a job status screen 950 that is displayed when the confirmation button 943 in the window 940 is pressed (touched) and that indicates the status of the secure print job. On the job status screen 950, a list of secure print jobs input to the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed. If secure print jobs waiting for authentication are stored in the image forming apparatus 100, those secure print jobs are displayed on the job status screen 950. The administrator can instruct (stop) the secure print job by pressing (touching) a “cancel” button corresponding to each of the displayed secure jobs. Further, the administrator can instruct (stop) all secure print jobs input to the image forming apparatus 100 by pressing (touching) the “stop all” button.

  As described above, the window 940 is an example of the operation screen including the notification indicating the presence of the secure print job in the image forming apparatus 100 and allowing the user to select whether to enable or disable the operation unit lock setting. . The job status screen 950 is an example of an operation screen that includes a list of secure print jobs stored in the image forming apparatus 100 and that can instruct one or more cancellations of the secure print jobs in the list. is there.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure (second example) of a process (second example) related to the operation unit lock setting for the image forming apparatus 100 in the PC 121 according to the present embodiment. The processing of each step shown in FIG. 8 is realized in the PC 121 by the CPU (not shown) reading and executing the control program stored in the storage device in the PC 121. In this processing, when the administrator performs an operation for setting the operation unit lock, the administrator can confirm that the secure print job is accumulated in the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the administrator can stop (delete) the secure print job.

  In S101 to S108, the same processing as the processing described using FIG. 7 is performed. In this example, the PC 121 displays a notification message (in this example, a window 940) indicating that a secure print job waiting for authentication exists in the image forming apparatus 100 on the display unit of the PC in S108, and S201. Processing proceeds to

  In step S201, the PC 121 determines whether the cancel button 941 has been pressed (touched). If the cancel button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S202. If the cancel button 941 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S203. Advance. In step S202, in step S202, the PC 121 invalidates (turns off) the operation unit lock setting of the image forming apparatus 100, and proceeds to step S110.

  In step S203, the PC 121 determines whether the setting button 942 has been pressed (touched). If the setting button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S204. If the setting button has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S205. Advance. In step S204, the PC 121 validates (turns on) the operation unit lock setting of the image forming apparatus 100, and proceeds to step S110.

  In step S205, the PC 121 determines whether the confirmation button 943 has been pressed (touched). If the confirmation button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S206. If the confirmation button has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S201. Back. In S206, the PC 121 displays a job status screen 950 indicating the status of the secure print job on the display unit of the PC. When the administrator gives an instruction to stop (delete) the secure print job waiting for authentication via the job status screen 950, the PC 121 requests the image forming apparatus 100 to delete the secure print job in accordance with the instruction. I do. After that, the PC 121 advances the process to S110.

  In S110, in S110, the PC 121 stops displaying the notification message by hiding the window 940, and ends the processing.

  According to this example, the user who has set the operation unit lock on the operation unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 can confirm the presence of a secure print job input to the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, the user can select whether to enable or disable the operation unit lock setting, and can instruct the user to cancel the secure print job.

  Note that the processing of the second example can be realized by the printer driver of the PC 121, but can also be realized by the CPU 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 as in the first example (FIG. 7). Further, the process of the second example can be similarly realized using an operation screen displayed on the operation unit 110.

<Reception of print job>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process when a print job is received in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The processing of each step shown in FIG. 9 is realized in image forming apparatus 100 by CPU 102 reading and executing a control program stored in ROM 104. When a print job is input from the printer driver of the PC 121, the CPU 102 starts the processing in FIG.

  First, in S301, the CPU 102 receives print job data transmitted from the PC 121. Next, in S302, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the received print job is a secure print job. If the received print job is not a secure print job, the CPU proceeds to step S303, and if the received print job is a secure print job, proceeds to step S304.

  In step S303, the CPU 102 starts print processing for the received print job. Specifically, the CPU 102 registers the received print job as a print waiting job, and executes the job at an executable timing. Thereafter, the CPU 102 ends the processing.

  On the other hand, in S304, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the secure print setting is valid (ON). The secure print setting is a setting related to whether to enable (use) the secure print function. When the secure print setting is on, the user can use the secure print function. When the secure print setting is off, the user cannot use the secure print function. If the secure print setting is on, the CPU advances the process to S305. If the secure print setting is off, the CPU advances the process to S306. The secure print setting can be set using, for example, a setting screen 900 shown in FIG.

  In step S305, the CPU 102 registers the received secure print job as an authentication waiting (execution waiting) job, and ends the process. The authentication waiting job is executed after the user authentication based on the password (personal identification number) set in the secure print job succeeds, as described later with reference to FIG. In this way, the CPU 102 receives the secure print job from the PC 121 and registers it as a job waiting to be executed, thereby executing the job at an executable timing.

  On the other hand, in S306, the CPU 102 does not execute the received secure print job, terminates the secure print job as an error, and ends the processing. Note that the CPU 102 may notify the secure print job error to the PC 121 that is the transmission source of the job.

<Secure print job execution process (first example)>
Next, an example (first example) of a process at the time of operating a secure print job in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The processing of each step shown in FIG. 10 is realized in the image forming apparatus 100 by the CPU 102 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 104. When the user starts an operation on the secure print job input from the PC 121 to the image forming apparatus 100 on the operation unit 110, the CPU 102 starts the processing in FIG.

  In this example, when the secure print job is stored in the image forming apparatus, the CPU 102 performs a user operation for using the secure print function on the operation unit 110 after the execution of the secure print job is completed. Start accepting restrictions. That is, the CPU 102 restricts the operation unit 110 from accepting a user operation other than the user operation for using the secure print function until there is no more secure print job stored in the image forming apparatus. As a result, even when the operation unit lock setting is ON, it is possible to execute a secure print job stored in the image forming apparatus.

  First, in S401, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the operation unit lock setting is on. If the operation unit lock setting is on, the process proceeds to S403. If the operation unit lock setting is off, Proceed to S402. In S402, the CPU 102 permits a secure print operation (that is, a user operation for using the secure print function such as touching the secure button 303 in the home screen 300), and proceeds to S403.

  In S403, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the secure print operation is permitted. If the secure print operation is permitted, the process proceeds to S404. If the secure print operation is prohibited, the process proceeds to S415. Proceed with the process. When the operation unit lock setting is changed from off to on, the secure print operation is in a permitted state, and the process proceeds from S403 to S404. In step S415, the CPU 102 displays a lock screen 920 including a message indicating that the operation unit 110 is in the locked state on the display unit 201, and ends the process.

  In S404, CPU 102 obtains a list of print jobs stored in image forming apparatus 100. Further, in step S405, the CPU 102 determines whether a secure print job exists in the acquired list. If there is no secure print job, the process proceeds to step S413. If a secure print job exists in the acquired list, the CPU 102 advances the process to S406.

  In step S406, the CPU 102 displays a list of files (secure print screen 700) corresponding to the secure print job on the display unit 201, and in step S407, accepts the selection of a file in the displayed list from the user. After that, in S408, the CPU 102 determines whether or not a secure print job execution instruction has been received by touching the execution button 701. If the execution instruction has not been received, the CPU 102 returns the process to S406, waits for the execution instruction, and advances the process to S409 if the execution instruction is received.

  In step S409, the CPU 102 displays an input screen 710 on the display unit 201, and receives an input of a password (password) for executing the secure print job from the user. Thereafter, in S410, the CPU 102 performs user authentication by determining whether the input password matches the password set in the secure print job. If the passwords do not match, the CPU 102 displays that the authentication has failed on the display unit 201, and accepts the input of the password again in S409. On the other hand, if the passwords match, the CPU 102 determines that the authentication has been successful, and advances the process to S412.

  In step S <b> 412, the CPU 102 starts print processing for a secure print job for which user authentication has succeeded. Specifically, the CPU 102 executes the job at an executable timing by registering the secure print job as a print waiting job. In this manner, when the password corresponding to the secure print job stored in image forming apparatus 100 is input via operation unit 110 while operation unit lock setting is on, CPU 102 Perform authentication using. Further, when the authentication is successful, the CPU 102 executes the secure print job. Thereafter, the CPU 102 ends the processing.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds from S405 to S413 (that is, when there is no secure print job in the image forming apparatus 100), in S413, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the operation unit lock setting is ON. When the operation unit lock setting is off, the CPU 102 ends the process, and when the operation unit lock setting is on, the process proceeds to S414. In step S414, the secure print operation is prohibited, and the process proceeds to step S415. In step S415, the CPU 102 displays a lock screen 920 including a message indicating that the operation unit 110 is in the locked state on the display unit 201, and ends the process.

<Secure print job execution process (second example)>
Next, an example (second example) of a process at the time of operating a secure print job in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The processing of each step illustrated in FIG. 11 is realized in the image forming apparatus 100 by the CPU 102 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 104. When the user starts an operation on the secure print job input from the PC 121 to the image forming apparatus 100 on the operation unit 110, the CPU 102 starts the processing in FIG.

  In this example, when a secure print job is stored in the image forming apparatus 100, the CPU 102 only inputs the password for executing the secure print job on the operation unit 110 while the operation unit lock setting is ON. Allow When a password is input on operation unit 110, CPU 102 executes a secure print job corresponding to the input password among secure print jobs stored in image forming apparatus 100. As a result, even when the operation unit lock setting is ON, it is possible to execute a secure print job stored in the image forming apparatus.

  First, in S501, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the operation unit lock setting is on. If the operation unit lock setting is off, the process proceeds to S502. In S502 to S510, the same processing as in S404 to S412 is performed. However, in S503, if there is no secure print job in the acquired list, the CPU ends the process. On the other hand, when the operation unit lock setting is on, the CPU 102 advances the process from S501 to S511.

  In step S511, a lock screen 920 including a message indicating that the operation unit 110 is locked is displayed on the display unit 201, and the process proceeds to step S512. Although not shown in FIG. 5C, a specific key for inputting a password (an ID key in this example) is displayed on the lock screen 920 even if the operation unit lock setting is on. It is assumed that it is displayed in a possible state.

  In S512, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the ID key in the lock screen 920 has been pressed (touched). If the ID key has not been pressed, the process ends, and if the ID key has been pressed, The process proceeds to S513. In S513, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the secure print setting is on. When the secure print setting is off, the CPU 102 ends the process, and when the secure print setting is on, the process proceeds to S514.

  In step S514, the CPU 102 displays an input screen (not shown) for inputting a password on the display unit 201, and receives an input of a password (password) from the user. Further, in S515, a list of print jobs stored in the image forming apparatus 100 is obtained. Thereafter, in S516, the CPU 102 searches for a secure print job corresponding to the input password, and determines in S517 whether a secure print job corresponding to the input password exists. If such a secure print job does not exist, CPU 102 ends the process. If there is, the process proceeds to S510.

  In step S510, the CPU 102 starts printing processing for the secure print job searched in step S516. Specifically, the CPU 102 executes the job at an executable timing by registering the secure print job as a print waiting job. Thereafter, the CPU 102 ends the processing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user who has set the operation unit lock on the operation unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 can confirm the presence of a secure print job input to the image forming apparatus 100. Will be possible. Further, it is possible to execute a secure print job stored in the image forming apparatus 100 even while the operation unit lock setting is being performed.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention supplies a program for realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or the apparatus read and execute the program. This processing can be realized. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  100: image forming apparatus, 101: controller unit, 102: CPU, 107: printing unit, 109: reading unit, 110: operation unit, 121: PC

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus,
An operation unit for receiving a user operation,
Accepting means for accepting a setting for restricting the acceptance of a user operation in the operation unit from a user having administrator authority,
Determining means for determining whether or not a secure print job which requires input of a password at the operation unit to start printing is stored in the image forming apparatus in response to reception of the setting by the receiving means When,
A control unit for displaying, to the user who has made the setting, a notification indicating the presence of the secure print job when the determination unit determines that the secure print job is stored in the image forming apparatus; When,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The control unit displays an operation screen including the notification and capable of selecting whether to enable or disable the setting, and enables or disables the setting according to the selection made on the operation screen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit includes a list of secure print jobs stored in the image forming apparatus, and further displays an operation screen capable of instructing cancellation of one or more secure print jobs in the list. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the secure print job is canceled according to an instruction performed on the operation screen. The accepting unit accepts the setting via an operation screen displayed on an external device communicable via a network,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the notification on the external device. According to the setting, further comprising a limiting means for limiting acceptance of a user operation in the operation unit,
In a case where a secure print job is stored in the image forming apparatus when the setting is performed, the restricting unit includes a secure print function in the operation unit after the execution of the secure print job is completed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein restriction of accepting a user operation for using the user is started. When a secure print job is stored in the image forming apparatus at the time when the setting is performed, the restricting unit may be a user other than a user operation for using the secure print function on the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein reception of an operation is restricted. The control unit, when the password corresponding to the secure print job stored in the image forming apparatus is input via the operation unit while the restriction by the restriction unit is being performed, changes the password. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the secure print job is executed by performing authentication using the image forming apparatus. According to the setting, further comprising a limiting means for limiting acceptance of a user operation in the operation unit,
The limiting means permits only input of a password in the operation unit,
The control means executes a secure print job corresponding to the input password among the secure print jobs stored in the image forming apparatus when a password is input at the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The said restriction | limiting means prohibits the acceptance of the user operation in the said operation part except for the user operation through some keys in the said operation part. The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming apparatus. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including an operation unit that receives a user operation,
A receiving step of receiving a setting for restricting reception of a user operation in the operation unit from a user having administrator authority,
A determining step of determining whether or not a secure print job that requires input of a password at the operation unit to start printing is stored in the image forming apparatus in response to reception of the setting in the receiving step When,
A control step of displaying, to the user who has made the setting, a notification indicating the presence of the secure print job when it is determined in the determination step that the secure print job is stored in the image forming apparatus. When,
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

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