JP4355568B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention collates a means for registering user identification information such as a user code, a medium for recording it, a means for inputting user identification information such as a user code and the recorded user identification information, The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an authenticating unit, a document information input device, and an output device.

As a prior art, there is “an image forming apparatus, a user restriction method, a usage history generation method, and a program for causing a computer to execute these methods” for restricting a user when executing copying, faxing, a scanner, a printer, or the like ( For example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, there is an “information processing apparatus and method, network system, recording medium, and program” that performs user authentication on a device basis (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-11986 JP 2001-31474 A

In the conventional image forming apparatus, the user identification information is registered in response to the processing request with reference to the means for registering the user identification information, the input means for inputting the user identification information, and the user identification information registered in the registration means. The image forming means is controlled based on the identification means for identifying the legitimacy of the user identification information and the processing request identified as legitimate in correspondence with the user identification information.
In an image forming apparatus equipped with a copy, fax, scanner, and document storage function, authentication is performed independently for each function, and use prohibition setting is performed for each user. However, in this case, if the user prints a document and prints the fax at the same time and then prints the stored document on the operation panel and switches to the fax function, printing of the stored document is not permitted. But fax couldn't do that.

  In addition, authentication is performed independently for each copy, fax, scanner, and document storage function, and use prohibition is set for each user, and authentication is flexibly performed for each input source and output destination. It is inconvenient that it cannot be set.

  Also, when there are few output destination papers, printing is prohibited for each user, printing is permitted when the input source is fax, and printing is not permitted when the input source is a document. This setting cannot be made because the importance level, urgency level, importance level depending on the document type, and urgency level for each user cannot be considered.

  The invention described in Patent Document 1 is divided by conventional functions such as copy, fax, scanner, and printer. In an image forming apparatus that realizes a function depending on the input source and output destination, the input source and output It is not determined to authenticate based on the difference and the state.

  Further, the invention described in Patent Document 2 is an image forming apparatus that realizes a function by a combination of an input source and an output destination, and permits or prohibits use of the function requested by the user depending on the difference and state between the input source and the output destination. The setting for determining permission is not flexible. Specifically, the settings for determining whether to permit or disallow a function when printing a document for each function and simultaneously performing a fax function are determined not by function but flexibly and by function. It is not intended to ensure that there are no duplicate parts.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and means for registering user identification information such as a user code, a medium for recording the means, means for inputting user identification information such as a user code, and the recording and collating the to user identification information, and means for authenticating, in an image forming apparatus having an input device and an output device of the document information, the authentication means, for each combination of the input source and output destination of the document information, input An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus characterized in that an authentication condition is set based on a state of an output device, a user is authenticated based on the authentication condition, and whether or not use is permitted for each user.

In order to achieve such an object, the invention described in claim 1 includes a user identification information registration means for registering user identification information which is information for identifying a user in use, and a user who records the registered user identification information. Identification information recording means; user identification information input means for inputting the user identification information; user identification information authentication for authenticating the user in use by collating the recorded user identification information and the input user identification information; Means, document information input means for inputting document information, document information output means for outputting document information, states of the document information input means and the document information output means, and preset document information input Authentication condition state notifying means for notifying the authentication condition of the document information output means and the authentication condition state notifying means. Based on, and this and the features provided with a judgment means for judging whether to permit the use for each user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the state of the document information input unit notified by the authentication condition state notification unit and the authentication condition of the document information input unit are compared for authentication. Whether or not to perform authentication by comparing the state of the document information output means notified by the authentication condition state notifying means and the authentication condition of the document information output means. An output authentication means for determining; the document information input means for the user authenticated by the user identification information authentication means based on the determination of the input authentication means and the output authentication means; and a specifying function of the input means; A combination of the document information output means and the specific function of the output means, and a use permission judgment means for judging whether or not each use is permitted. And said document information input means for each user, wherein the specific function, that the use prohibition setting is carried out by determining the individual that said input output means.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, and the document information input means and the document information output means, the combination of an arbitrary, by the combination, the user identification information authentication means Performs the authentication, and based on the importance and urgency for each user, and the importance and urgency depending on the type of document, the use permission judging means, for each user, the document information input / output means, The specific function of the input / output means and whether to permit the use or not are characterized.
The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the document information input means and the document information output means are a personal computer, a network, a fax, a scanner, And at least one of a plotter, a hard disk, and a memory card. The state of the document information input means and the document information output means includes a paper state, a toner state, a hard disk state, a time, And at least one of the states of the communication partner, and more specifically, the remaining amount of paper, the remaining amount of toner, the remaining amount of the hard disk, the current time, and the type of the fax partner To do.

According to the present invention, when a function of simultaneously faxing while printing a document is to be performed at the same time, it is possible to permit a single user to print a document but not to fax. it can. In addition, when switching is made to print and fax a stored document for one user on the operation panel, printing of the stored document is not permitted but fax is permitted. Therefore, by applying the present invention to a multi-function device equipped with a copy, fax, and document storage function, authentication and use prohibition settings are conventionally performed for each copy, fax, and document storage function. Can be expanded to a device that determines the function according to the difference between the input source and the output destination.
In addition, according to the present invention, in the combination of the input source and the output destination, authentication is flexibly performed on the basis of the state when the user uses the copy, fax, scanner, and document storage function independently for each user. The use prohibition setting based on the importance level, the urgency level, the importance level depending on the document type, and the urgency level can be performed.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention.
The CPU 1 controls the entire apparatus. Under the control, the RAM 2, the ROM 3, the NVRAM 4, the panel control unit 5 and the operation panel 6, the engine control unit 7 and the scan / print engine 8, the disk driver 9 and the storage medium 10, There are an external I / F 11, a modem 12, and a communication control unit 13, which are connected via a data bus 21. Note that the control operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment described below is performed by the CPU 1 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 3.

  The RAM 2 is used as a temporary storage location for various data. The ROM 3 stores a program for the operation of the image forming apparatus, fonts used for printing, and other static data. The NVRAM 4 stores nonvolatile data. The panel control unit 5 and the operation panel 6 perform an interface operation with the user. The engine control unit 7 and the scan / print engine 8 function as image data input / output units for reading paper originals and printing on transfer paper. The disk driver 9 and the storage medium 10 accumulate a large amount of image data or are used as a storage location for a database. The external I / F 11 enables communication with the outside of the main device using an interface such as Centronics. The modem 12 is connected to a public telephone line and enables communication with an external device. The communication control unit 13 is connected to a network such as Ethernet (R) or a wireless LAN, and enables communication with an external device. The data bus 21 performs communication between the CPU 1 and devices and between various devices.

  FIG. 2 shows a software configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the part indicated by the arrow means inheritance. For example, in the case of the user code and fingerprint of FIG. 2 and the user identification information 14, it shows that the user code and fingerprint inherit the property of the user identification information 14. That is, it can be said that “the user code is the user identification information 14” and “the fingerprint is the user identification information 14.”

(User identification information 14)
Holds user identification information entered by the user. Specifically, there are user codes and fingerprints.

(Authentication means 15)
Whether to authenticate the user based on notifications from the input source 17 and the output destination 18, compare the user identification information 14 with the user registration information 16, authenticate the user, and whether to allow use for each user It is the part to judge.

(User registration information 16)
Stores registered user identification information and use prohibition settings for each user. Specifically, it is an internal address book in the device.

(Input source 17)
It holds the setting for whether to perform authentication for each input device. The input / output device 19 notifies the user of the input device that the user intends to use and its state. Then, the authentication condition is notified from the authentication condition 20, and compared with the input device and its state. Finally, in the case of the input source, it is determined whether or not to authenticate, and the authentication means 15 is notified.

(Output 18)
The setting for whether to perform authentication for each output device is held. Further, the input / output device 19 notifies the output device that the user intends to use and the status thereof. Then, the authentication condition is notified from the authentication condition 20, and compared with the output device and its state. Finally, in the case of the output destination, it is determined whether or not to perform authentication, and the authentication means 15 is notified.

(I / O device 19)
The user determines the difference between devices used for input / output and the state of the input / output device, and notifies the input source 17 and the output destination 18. Specifically, the difference and state of a personal computer, a network, a fax, a scanner, a plotter, a hard disk, and a memory card are determined.

(Certification condition 20)
This is set for each input source 17 and output destination 18, and holds the conditions for authentication. Specifically, the remaining amount (authentication is performed if the remaining amount of paper, toner, or hard disk is less than the threshold), the current time (authentication is performed at midnight), and the fax destination (for out-of-city faxes) Authentication).

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of authentication and use prohibition setting for each user in the present invention.

  When the input source is selected by the user (S1), it is determined whether to perform user authentication based on the input source and the authentication condition (S2). Here, when authentication is not performed (S3 / NO), an output destination is selected (S4). Whether or not user authentication is to be performed is determined based on the output destination and the authentication conditions (S5).

  When user authentication is performed (S3 / YES, S6 / YES), a screen for requesting the user to input user identification information is displayed (S7). When the user identification information is input by the user (S8), the user identification information is collated (S9). If user authentication is not performed in step S6 (S6 / NO), the process proceeds to step S12.

  Here, when the input user identification information and the registered user identification information do not match (S10 / NO), control is performed to prohibit the use of the specific function (S13). If they match (S10 / YES), it is determined whether the user currently using (actually performing input or the like) can use the specific function (S11), and control to permit use of the specific function is performed (S11). S12).

  As described above, when the user wants to perform a certain function, the input source and the output destination are designated. Therefore, if authentication is set, user identification information for use permission application is input. The input is, for example, inputting a user code from the operation panel 6 or bringing a user's fingerprint into contact.

  Here, CPU 1 collates the user identification information registered in NVRAM 4 in advance with the user identification information that has been input, and the registered user identification information and the input user identification information match, and the user In the case of a person who can use the function, the user is authenticated as a legitimate person and the use of the specific function is permitted. Specific functions to be permitted are registered in the NVRAM 4 for each user, and include, for example, copying (inputting a paper document and outputting a paper document), fax (inputting a paper document and outputting it to a telephone line), and the like. If the registered user identification information does not match the input user identification information, the user is regarded as an unauthorized person and the use of the function is not permitted. In order to perform authentication here, user identification information registered in the NVRAM 4, use prohibition setting for each user, input source, output destination, and status thereof are used.

4 and 5 are examples of the operation unit in the present invention.
There are buttons for the user to specify the input source and the output destination, and the function is realized by pressing the buttons. When the button is pressed, the authentication means of the present invention determines whether or not to perform authentication, and prompts input of user identification information when performing authentication (FIG. 4). And if authenticated, it will be able to actually operate (FIG. 5).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, when a function of simultaneously faxing while printing a document is to be performed at the same time, one user is permitted to print the document but is not permitted to fax. It can be carried out. In addition, when switching is made to print and fax a stored document for one user on the operation panel, printing of the stored document is not permitted but fax is permitted. Therefore, by applying the present invention to a multi-function device equipped with a copy, fax, and document storage function, authentication and use prohibition settings are conventionally performed for each copy, fax, and document storage function. Can be expanded to a device that determines the function according to the difference between the input source and the output destination.

  Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the combination of the input source and the output destination, authentication is flexibly performed independently for each copy, fax, scanner, and document storage function, and use prohibition is set for each user. It is convenient.

  Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, printing is not permitted for each user depending on the condition of the output destination paper and the state of toner in the authentication condition. In addition, if the input source is a fax, printing can be permitted, and if it is a manuscript, printing can be disabled. Degree and urgency can be considered.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, it is not limited to the said Example, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

The present invention collates a means for registering user identification information such as a user code, a medium for recording it, a means for inputting user identification information such as a user code and the recorded user identification information, An information processing apparatus including an authentication unit, a data input device, and an output device, wherein the authentication unit sets an authentication condition for a combination of a data input source and an output destination based on a state of an input / output device In addition, the present invention can be applied to a control method for an information processing apparatus characterized in that user authentication is performed based on this and whether or not use is permitted for each user.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of an image forming apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external view illustrating an example of an operation unit of an image forming apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external view illustrating an example of an operation unit of an image forming apparatus that is an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 RAM
3 ROM
4 NVRAM
5 Panel Control Unit 6 Operation Panel 7 Engine Control Unit 8 Scan / Print Engine 9 Disk Driver 10 Storage Medium 11 External I / F
12 Modem 13 Communication Control Unit 14 User Identification Information 15 Authentication Means 16 User Registration Information 17 Input Source 18 Output Destination 19 Input / Output Device 20 Authentication Condition 21 Data Bus

Claims (4)

User identification information registration means for registering user identification information, which is information for identifying a user,
User identification information recording means for recording the registered user identification information;
User identification information input means for inputting the user identification information;
User identification information authenticating means for authenticating the user in use by collating the recorded user identification information and the input user identification information;
Document information input means for inputting document information;
Document information output means for outputting document information;
An authentication condition state notifying means for notifying the state of the document information input means and the document information output means and the preset authentication conditions of the document information input means and the document information output means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not to permit use for each user based on notification by the authentication condition state notification unit . An input authentication means for comparing the status of the document information input means notified by the authentication condition status notification means with the authentication conditions of the document information input means to determine whether or not to perform authentication;
Output authentication means for comparing the status of the document information output means notified by the authentication condition status notification means with the authentication conditions of the document information output means to determine whether or not to perform authentication;
The document information input means for the user authenticated by the user identification information authentication means based on the determination of the input authentication means and the output authentication means, a specific function of the input means, the document information output means, A use permission judging means for judging whether or not each use is permitted in combination with the specific function of the output means;
Have
The use permission determination means, and the document information input means for each user, according to claim 1, wherein the specific function, that the use prohibition setting is carried out by determining the individual that said input output means Image forming apparatus. And the document information input means and the document information output means, the combination of an arbitrary, by the combination, the user identification information authentication means performs the authentication, the severity and urgency of each user, according to the type of document Based on the importance level and the urgency level, the use permission determining unit determines whether to permit use of the document information input / output unit and a specific function of the input / output unit for each user. claim 1 or the image forming apparatus according to 2, characterized in. The document information input means and the document information output means are at least one of a personal computer, a network, a fax, a scanner, a plotter, a hard disk, and a memory card. The document information input means and the document information output means The state of the document information output means is at least one of a paper state, a toner state, a hard disk state, a time, and a communication partner state. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount, the remaining amount of the hard disk, the current time, and the type of a facsimile destination are set. 5.

Images