JP5168043B2 - DATA DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, DATA DISTRIBUTION DEVICE, DATA DISTRIBUTION METHOD, DATA DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a data distribution system, a data distribution apparatus, a data distribution method, a data distribution program, and a recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for distributing image data generated by an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral to a distribution destination selected by a user is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, when user authentication is performed and the user authentication is successful, a delivery destination is displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, and an image is displayed on the delivery destination selected by the user from the displayed delivery destinations. A technique for distributing data is disclosed.

JP 2007-65777 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when user authentication is successful, a predetermined distribution destination is uniformly displayed. Therefore, a distribution destination unrelated to the authenticated user is selected and image data is selected. Can be delivered, and there is room for improvement in terms of security.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data distribution system, a data distribution apparatus, a data distribution method, a data distribution program, and a recording medium with improved security related to selection of a distribution destination. And

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a data distribution system according to an aspect of the present invention includes data including an authentication device, a data distribution device, and an image forming device connected via a network. In the distribution system, the authentication device indicates a process of receiving user identification information for identifying a user from the image forming device via the data distribution device, and indicates success or failure of authentication using the received user identification information. A process for transmitting user authentication success / failure information to the data distribution apparatus; and an authentication apparatus side communication control means for performing the process, and an authentication means for authenticating the user using the received user identification information. shows the delivery destination information indicating a data distribution destination, and permitted-user information indicating a user to deliver to the destination is permitted, whether or not editing of the destination Receiving the delivery information storage means for storing in association with current availability information, and a process of transmitting to the authentication device to receive the user identification information from the image forming apparatus, the user authentication success information from the authentication device If the received user authentication success / failure information indicates successful authentication, the distribution destination information and the editability information associated with the permitted user information indicating the user who has been successfully authenticated are read from the distribution information storage unit. The image forming apparatus receives the process of transmitting to the image forming apparatus, the distribution destination information indicating the distribution destination selected in the image forming apparatus, and the image data generated by the image forming apparatus. A data distribution device side communication control means for performing the process of distributing the image data received to the distribution destination indicated by the distribution destination information, The image forming apparatus includes: a generation unit that generates the image data; a display control unit that displays the distribution destination indicated by the distribution destination information received from the data distribution apparatus on a display unit; from accepts destination of selection of the image data generated by the generation unit, if the revision permission information of the delivery destination indicates editable, a receiving unit configured to Ru further accepting editing of the delivery destination, wherein A process of transmitting the user identification information to the authentication apparatus via a data distribution apparatus, a process of receiving the distribution destination information and the editability information from the data distribution apparatus, and selection , selection and editing by the reception unit A process of transmitting the distribution destination information indicating the distribution destination received and the image data generated by the generation unit to the data distribution apparatus. Image forming apparatus side communication control means.

A data distribution apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of generating image data, an authentication apparatus capable of authenticating a user, and a data distribution apparatus connected via a network, A distribution in which distribution destination information indicating a data distribution destination, permitted user information indicating a user permitted to distribute to the distribution destination, and editability information indicating whether or not the distribution destination can be edited are stored in association with each other. Information storage means, processing for receiving user identification information for identifying a user from the image forming apparatus and transmitting it to the authentication apparatus, and user authentication success / failure information indicating success or failure of authentication using the user identification information from the authentication apparatus receive, if the user authentication success information received indicates successful authentication, the distribution destination information and the knitting associated with the authorized user information indicating the user successfully authenticated A process of transmitting to the image forming apparatus whether information is read from the distribution information storage unit, the image forming apparatus destination selected in the image forming apparatus from the destination indicated by the transmission and the distribution destination information to, Alternatively, when the editability information of the distribution destination indicates that editing is possible, the distribution destination information indicating the edited distribution destination and the image data generated by the image forming apparatus are received from the image forming apparatus. Communication control means for performing processing for distributing the received image data to the distribution destination indicated by the received distribution destination information.

A data distribution apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is a data distribution apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus capable of generating image data via a network, distribution destination information indicating a data distribution destination, Distribution information storage means for storing in association with permitted user information indicating a user permitted to distribute to the distribution destination and editability information indicating whether the distribution destination can be edited, and user identification for identifying the user An authentication unit that authenticates the user using information, a process of receiving the user identification information from the image forming apparatus, and a user authentication success / failure information indicating success / failure of authentication by the authentication unit indicates authentication success. the image forming apparatus successful the delivery destination information associated with the authorized user information indicating the user has and the revision permission information is read from the distribution information storage unit A process of transmitting the distribution destination selected in the image forming apparatus from the destination indicated by the transmission and the distribution destination information to the image forming apparatus, or the revision permission information of the delivery destination is to indicate Editable Is further received from the image forming apparatus the delivery destination information indicating the edited delivery destination and the image data generated by the image forming apparatus, and received to the delivery destination indicated by the received delivery destination information. And a communication control means for performing processing for distributing image data.

A data distribution method according to another aspect of the present invention is a data distribution method executed by a data distribution system including an authentication device, a data distribution device, and an image forming device connected via a network. The authentication device receives user identification information for identifying a user from the image forming device via the data distribution device, and user authentication success / failure information indicating success or failure of authentication using the received user identification information. Including: an authentication device-side communication control step for performing the process of transmitting the data to the data distribution device; and an authentication step for authenticating the user using the received user identification information. and destination information indicating the destination, and the authorized user information indicating the user the delivery is permitted to the delivery destination, editable indicating whether or not editing of the delivery destination It includes a distribution information storage means for storing in association with the information, and a process of transmitting to the authentication device to receive the user identification information from the image forming apparatus receives the user authentication success information from the authentication device When the received user authentication success / failure information indicates successful authentication, the distribution destination information and the editability information associated with the authorized user information indicating the user who has been successfully authenticated are read from the distribution information storage means. The process of transmitting to the image forming apparatus, the distribution destination information indicating the distribution destination selected in the image forming apparatus, and the image data generated by the image forming apparatus are received from the image forming apparatus, and the received Including a process of distributing the received image data to the distribution destination indicated by the distribution destination information, and a data distribution device side communication control step for performing the processing, The image forming apparatus includes: a generation step for generating the image data; a display control step for displaying the distribution destination indicated by the distribution destination information received from the data distribution apparatus on a display unit; from accepts destination of selection of the image data generated by said generation step, when the revision permission information of the delivery destination indicates editable, and accepting step of Ru further accepting editing of the delivery destination, wherein A process of transmitting the user identification information to the authentication apparatus via a data distribution apparatus, a process of receiving the distribution destination information and the editability information from the data distribution apparatus, and selection , selection and editing by the reception step The data distribution device displays the distribution destination information indicating the distribution destination that has received the image and the image data generated by the generation step. And an image forming apparatus-side communication control step for performing the process of transmitting to the image forming apparatus.

A data distribution method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed by an image forming apparatus capable of generating image data, an authentication apparatus capable of authenticating a user, and a data distribution apparatus connected via a network. In the data distribution method, the data distribution apparatus determines distribution destination information indicating a data distribution destination, permitted user information indicating a user permitted to distribute to the distribution destination, and whether or not the distribution destination can be edited. A distribution information storage unit that stores the editability information shown in association with each other, and receives user identification information for identifying a user from the image forming apparatus and transmits the user identification information to the authentication apparatus; and from the authentication apparatus to the user When user authentication success / failure information indicating success or failure of authentication using identification information is received, and the received user authentication success / failure information indicates successful authentication, the permission indicating the user who has been successfully authenticated is received. Destination showing a process of transmitting to the image forming apparatus the destination information and the revision permission information associated with the user information is read from the distribution information storage means, said delivery destination information transmitted to the image forming apparatus A delivery destination selected by the image forming apparatus , or when the editability information of the delivery destination indicates that editing is possible, the delivery destination information indicating the edited delivery destination and the image forming apparatus. Receiving the generated image data from the image forming apparatus, and delivering the received image data to the delivery destination indicated by the received delivery destination information. .

A data distribution method according to another aspect of the present invention is a data distribution method executed by a data distribution apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus capable of generating image data via a network, the data distribution apparatus Stores , in association with each other, distribution destination information indicating a data distribution destination, permitted user information indicating a user permitted to distribute to the distribution destination, and editability information indicating whether the distribution destination can be edited. An authentication step for authenticating the user using user identification information for identifying the user, processing for receiving the user identification information from the image forming apparatus, and success or failure of authentication by the authentication step. user authentication success if information indicating successful authentication, the authorization the distribution destination information and the editing associated with the user information indicating the user successfully authenticated showing Nay process reads information from the distribution information storage means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus and, selected destination in the image forming apparatus from the destination indicated by the transmission and the distribution destination information to the image forming apparatus, Alternatively, when the editability information of the distribution destination indicates that editing is possible, the distribution destination information indicating the edited distribution destination and the image data generated by the image forming apparatus are received from the image forming apparatus. And a communication control step of performing processing for distributing the received image data to the distribution destination indicated by the received distribution destination information.

  A data distribution program according to another aspect of the present invention is for causing a computer to execute the data distribution method described above.

  A computer-readable recording medium according to another aspect of the present invention stores the above-described data distribution program.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that security related to selection of a delivery destination can be improved.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a data distribution system, a data distribution apparatus, a data distribution method, a data distribution program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the data distribution system 1 includes an authentication device 10, a data distribution device 20, and an image forming device 30, and these devices are connected via a network 40. The network 40 may be any network regardless of wired or wireless, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a public communication line.

  In the data distribution system 1, the data distribution apparatus 20 manages the distribution destination of the image data generated by the image forming apparatus 30 in units of groups to which the user authenticated by the authentication apparatus 10 and the authenticated user belong. As a result, the image forming apparatus 30 can select the distribution destination of the image data from the distribution destinations related to the user authenticated by the authentication apparatus 10, and can improve the security related to the selection of the distribution destination. .

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, the network 40 is also connected to a personal computer, a printing apparatus, or the like, which is a distribution destination of image data.

  The authentication device 10 authenticates a user or a system administrator, and can be realized by, for example, an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server that can be connected to a directory service such as Active Directory (registered trademark). The authentication device 10 includes a communication control unit 110, a storage unit 120, and an authentication unit 130.

  The communication control unit 110 transmits / receives data to / from the data distribution device 20 or the like connected via the network 40.

  Specifically, the communication control unit 110 receives user identification information or the like (for example, user identification information, password, domain information, etc.) for identifying a user from the image forming apparatus 30 via the data distribution apparatus 20, or will be described later. User authentication success / failure information indicating success / failure of authentication using the user identification information or the like by the authentication unit 130 is transmitted to the data distribution device 20.

  Further, the communication control unit 110 receives administrator identification information or the like (for example, administrator identification information, password, domain information, etc.) for identifying the administrator from the data distribution device 20, or manager identification by the authentication unit 130 described later. Administrator authentication success / failure information indicating success or failure of authentication using information or the like is transmitted to the data distribution apparatus 20.

  The storage unit 120 stores authentication data and the like used by the authentication unit 130 described later for authentication. For example, the storage unit 120 stores authentication user identification information, a password, and domain information, information on a group to which a user indicated by the authentication user identification information belongs, and the like. In addition, the storage unit 120 similarly stores passwords and the like in association with the administrator identification information for authentication. In addition, when the user identification information for authentication and the administrator identification information for authentication are the same, the administrator identification information for authentication may be substituted with the user identification information for authentication.

  The authentication unit 130 uses the user identification information received by the communication control unit 110 to perform user authentication of the user who uses the image forming apparatus 30 and data using the administrator identification information received by the communication control unit 110. Administrator authentication of an administrator who uses the distribution apparatus 20 is performed.

  For example, the authentication unit 130 compares the user identification information received by the communication control unit 110 with the user identification information for authentication stored in the storage unit 120. If both information do not match, it is determined that the authentication has failed. The authentication unit 130 also authenticates the administrator identification information and the like in comparison with the administrator identification information for authentication stored in the storage unit 120 in the same manner.

  The data distribution apparatus 20 distributes the image data generated by the image forming apparatus 30 to a distribution destination (for example, a personal computer or a printing apparatus) selected by the image forming apparatus 30, and includes a storage unit 210, The communication control part 220, the operation part 225, the reception part 230, the display part 235, the display control part 240, and the management part 250 are provided.

  The storage unit 210 stores information used for various processes performed in the data distribution apparatus 20 and includes a distribution information storage unit 212 and a management information storage unit 214.

  The distribution information storage unit 212 stores therein the distribution destination information indicating the data distribution destination, the permitted user information indicating the user permitted to distribute to the distribution destination, and the like. The distribution destination information may indicate a plurality of distribution destinations, or may indicate any one of the plurality of distribution destinations.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the distribution information storage unit 212. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the distribution information storage unit 212 stores distribution destination information, permitted user information, and editability information indicating whether or not the distribution destination can be edited in association with each other.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the permitted user information includes groups permitted to be distributed to the distribution destination (for example, Group A and Group B) in addition to the users permitted to be distributed to the distribution destination (for example, UserA and UserB). Etc.). When the permitted user information indicates a group, all users belonging to the group are permitted to distribute to the distribution destination.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a correspondence table showing a correspondence relationship between a group indicated by permitted user information and a user belonging to the group. In the present embodiment, the correspondence table shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the storage unit 210, and users belonging to the group can be determined by referring to this table.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the group indicated by the permitted user information includes a special group to which all users belong (Everyone in the example shown in FIG. 2). The distribution information storage unit 212 further stores prohibited user information indicating a user who is prohibited from distributing to a distribution destination in association with permitted user information indicating “Everyone” which is a special group. As a result, data distribution can be prohibited only for a specific user.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the users and groups indicated by the permitted user information and the prohibited user information are the users and groups managed by the authentication device 10 (for example, managed by a directory service) except for the special group “Everyone”. This is the same as an example of a user, a group, or an account that is used. Further, the correspondence relationship shown in the correspondence table shown in FIG. 3 is also the correspondence relationship between the group managed by the authentication apparatus 10 and the users belonging to the group.

  The management information storage unit 214 stores management authority information indicating the management authority of the administrator and administrator information indicating the administrator in association with each other.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the management information storage unit 214. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the management information storage unit 214 stores management authority information and administrator information in association with each other.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the administrator information has the management authority indicated by the management authority information in addition to the user having the management authority indicated by the management authority information (for example, UserA, UserB, etc.), like the permitted user information. Groups (eg, Group A, Group B) are also shown.

  When the management authority information indicates a group, all managers belonging to the group have the management authority indicated by the management authority information in the same way as the permitted user information, and refer to the table shown in FIG. 3 described above. By doing so, it is possible to determine the managers belonging to the group.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the administrator and group indicated by the administrator information are the same as the user and group managed by the authentication device 10, and this is also the same as the permitted user information.

  Further, a special group to which all users belong may be included in the group indicated by the administrator information as in the permitted user information. When the management authority information indicates a special group, prohibited administrator information indicating an administrator who does not have the management authority indicated by the management authority information may be further stored in association with each other.

  The communication control unit 220 transmits / receives data to / from the authentication apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 30 connected via the network 40.

  Specifically, the communication control unit 220 receives user identification information and the like from the image forming apparatus 30 and transmits them to the authentication apparatus 10.

  The communication control unit 220 receives user authentication success / failure information from the authentication device 10. When the received user authentication success / failure information indicates successful authentication, distribution destination information associated with permitted user information indicating a user who has succeeded in authentication (for example, distribution destination information, editability information, etc.) is stored as distribution information. The data is read from the unit 212 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30.

  However, when the prohibited user information is associated with the permitted user information, the communication control unit 220 associates the prohibited user information indicating the user among the permitted user information indicating the successfully authenticated user. The distribution destination information associated with the non-permitted user information is read from the distribution information storage unit 212 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30.

  Further, the communication control unit 220 receives distribution destination information indicating the distribution destination selected in the image forming apparatus 30 and image data generated by the image forming apparatus 30 from the image forming apparatus 30, and the received distribution destination information indicates The received image data is distributed to the distribution destination.

  In addition, the communication control unit 220 transmits administrator identification information or the like received by the receiving unit 230 described later to the authentication device 10 or receives administrator authentication success / failure information from the authentication device 10.

  The operation unit 225 performs various operations on the data distribution apparatus 20 and can be realized by, for example, an existing input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The accepting unit 230 accepts various operation inputs performed on the operation unit 225. For example, the reception unit 230 receives an operation input such as administrator identification information input by the administrator.

  The display unit 235 displays various screens, and can be realized by, for example, an existing display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display control unit 240 performs display control of various screens on the display unit 235. For example, the display control unit 240 causes the display unit 235 to display an input screen for administrator identification information or a management screen corresponding to a management function by the management unit 250 described later.

  When the administrator authentication success / failure information received by the communication control unit 220 indicates successful authentication, the management unit 250 responds to the management authority indicated by the management authority information associated with the administrator information indicating the administrator who has succeeded in authentication. Execute management functions. The management unit 250 includes a creation unit 252 and a change unit 254.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the management unit 250 executes only the log browsing function when the management authority information indicates general, and executes all management functions when the management authority information indicates management. The log browsing function allows the administrator to browse a log of a job performed in the data distribution system 1, and a log browsing screen is displayed on the display unit 235 by the display control unit 240. The management function executed when the management authority information indicates management includes, for example, functions related to maintenance of the data distribution system 1 such as creation and correction of distribution destination information by the creation unit 252 and the change unit 254 described later. is there.

  The creation unit 252 creates new delivery destination information stored in the delivery information storage unit 212. When the creation unit 252 receives an input of creation operation, the creation unit 252 associates default authorized user information with each other, Create new distribution destination information. Note that the default permitted user information associated with newly created distribution destination information is stored in the storage unit 210.

  The change unit 254 updates the permitted user information associated with the delivery destination information stored in the delivery information storage unit 212. When the accepting unit 230 receives an input of a batch change operation, the change unit 254 The authorized user information associated with each piece of information is collectively changed.

  The image forming apparatus 30 generates image data, and includes a reading unit 305, a reading control unit 310, an image processing unit 320, a printing unit 325, a printing control unit 330, an operation / display unit 335, A display control unit 340, a reception unit 350, and a communication control unit 360 are provided. In the following description, the image forming apparatus 30 will be described by taking as an example a multi function printer (MFP) in which a plurality of functions such as a scanner, a copy, a fax machine, and a printer are housed in one housing.

  The reading unit 305 (an example of a generation unit) generates image data by electrically reading a document, and can be realized by, for example, a scanner. A reading control unit 310 performs various controls when the reading unit 305 reads a document.

  The image processing unit 320 performs various image processing such as γ conversion and filter processing on the image data read by the reading unit 305.

  The printing unit 325 prints image data read by the reading unit 305 and image data subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 320, and can be realized by, for example, a printer. The print control unit 330 performs various controls when the printing unit 325 prints image data.

  The operation / display unit 335 performs various operations on the image forming apparatus 30 and displays various screens, and can be realized by, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel in which a touch panel is superimposed on a liquid crystal display and a key switch.

  The display control unit 340 controls display of various screens on the operation / display unit 335. For example, the display control unit 340 displays the distribution destination indicated by the distribution destination information received from the data distribution apparatus 20 on the operation / display unit 335 or displays an input screen such as user identification information on the operation / display unit 335.

  The accepting unit 350 accepts various operations performed on the operation / display unit 335. For example, the reception unit 350 selects a distribution destination of image data generated by the reading unit 305 or image data subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 320 from distribution destinations displayed on the operation / display unit 335. Accept the operation.

  Further, for example, when the distribution destination editability information displayed on the operation / display unit 335 indicates that edit is possible, the reception unit 350 receives edit of the distribution destination, user identification information input by the user, or the like Accepts input.

  The communication control unit 360 transmits / receives data to / from the image forming apparatus 30 and the like connected via the network 40.

  Specifically, the communication control unit 360 transmits the user identification information received by the receiving unit 350 to the authentication device 10 or receives the distribution destination information from the data distribution device 20 via the data distribution device 20. To do.

  The communication control unit 360 also includes distribution destination information indicating a distribution destination whose selection has been received by the reception unit 350, image data generated by the reading unit 305, or image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 320. Is transmitted to the data distribution apparatus 20.

  Next, the operation of the data distribution system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence showing an example of a procedure for distributing image data performed in the data distribution system 1.

  First, when a document reading operation is performed on the operation / display unit 335 with a document set on the image forming apparatus 30, the receiving unit 350 receives an input of the reading operation (step S10).

  Subsequently, when the input of the reading operation is received by the receiving unit 350, the display control unit 340 causes the operation / display unit 335 to display a user identification information input screen for inputting user identification information and the like (step S12).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user identification information input screen 400. In the example shown in FIG. 6, input fields for user identification information, password, and domain information are displayed, and the user is prompted to input such information.

  Returning to FIG. 5, when the user identification information input screen is displayed by the display control unit 340 and an input operation such as user identification information is performed on the operation / display unit 335, the reception unit 350 receives input of the user identification information and the like. (Step S14).

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, when the selection operation of the login button 405 is performed, the reception unit 350 receives input of user identification information, password, and domain information displayed in the input field of the operation / display unit 335.

  Subsequently, the communication control unit 360 of the image forming apparatus 30 transmits the user identification information received by the receiving unit 350 to the data distribution apparatus 20 (step S16).

  Subsequently, the communication control unit 220 of the data distribution apparatus 20 receives user identification information and the like from the image forming apparatus 30 and transmits them to the authentication apparatus 10 (step S18).

  Subsequently, when user identification information or the like is received by the communication control unit 110 of the authentication device 10, the authentication unit 130 uses the user identification information or the like received by the communication control unit 110 to use the user who uses the image forming apparatus 30. Is authenticated (step S20).

  And the communication control part 110 of the authentication apparatus 10 transmits the user authentication success / failure information which shows the success or failure of the authentication by the authentication part 130 to the data delivery apparatus 20 (step S22).

  Subsequently, the communication control unit 220 of the data distribution device 20 receives user authentication success / failure information from the authentication device 10. Then, the communication control unit 220 determines whether or not the received user authentication success / failure information indicates successful authentication. When the communication control unit 220 indicates successful authentication, the distribution destination associated with the permitted user information indicating the user who has succeeded in authentication. Information and editability information are read from the distribution information storage unit 212 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 (step S24).

  However, when the prohibited user information is associated with the permitted user information, the communication control unit 220 associates the prohibited user information indicating the user among the permitted user information indicating the successfully authenticated user. No delivery destination information or the like is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30.

  For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the authentication of UserA is successful, the communication control unit 220 is associated with the permitted user information (UserA, GroupA, Everone) indicating UserA and the prohibited user information indicating UserA. The distribution destination information indicating the distribution destinations 1, 3, and 5 to which (UserA, GroupA) is not associated is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30.

  Subsequently, when distribution destination information or the like is received by the communication control unit 360 of the image forming apparatus 30, the display control unit 340 selects a distribution destination indicated by the distribution destination information received by the communication control unit 360. The selection screen is displayed on the operation / display unit 335 (step S26).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the distribution destination selection screen 410. In the example shown in FIG. 7, distribution destinations 1, 3, and 5 are displayed to be selectable, and the user is prompted to select a distribution destination.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the display control unit 340 displays a distribution destination selection screen and selects a distribution destination (step S <b> 28). Details of selection of a delivery destination will be described later.

  Subsequently, when a delivery destination is selected, the reading unit 305 electrically reads a document set on the image forming apparatus 30 and generates image data (step S30).

  Subsequently, the communication control unit 360 of the image forming apparatus 30 transmits, to the data distribution apparatus 20, distribution destination information indicating a distribution destination whose selection is received by the reception unit 350 and image data generated by the reading unit 305. (Step S32).

  Subsequently, the communication control unit 220 of the data distribution apparatus 20 receives distribution destination information and image data from the image forming apparatus 30. Then, the communication control unit 220 distributes the received image data to the distribution destination indicated by the received distribution destination information (step S34).

  In step S24, when the user authentication success / failure information received from the authentication device 10 indicates an authentication failure, the communication control unit 220 of the data distribution device 20 provides information notifying that the authentication has failed to the image forming device 30. Send to. In the image forming apparatus 30, an authentication failure screen (not shown) is displayed by the display control unit 340, and the processes after step S26 are not performed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed procedure for selecting a delivery destination shown in step S28 of FIG.

  First, when a delivery destination selection screen is displayed by the display control unit 340 and a delivery destination selection operation is performed on the operation / display unit 335, the accepting unit 350 accepts a delivery destination selection (step S40).

  Subsequently, the accepting unit 350 determines whether or not the accepted editability information of the delivery destination indicates editability (step S42). If the accepting unit 350 determines that the editability information indicates that editing is possible, the display control unit 340 displays on the operation / display unit 335 a delivery destination edit screen for editing the delivery destination whose selection has been accepted. (Yes in step S42, step S44).

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, since the editability information of the distribution destination 1 indicates that editing is possible (see FIG. 2), when the reception unit 350 receives selection of the distribution destination 1, the display control unit 340 displays the distribution destination 1. Is displayed on the operation / display unit 335.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the distribution destination edit screen 420. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the default delivery destination mail address is displayed to be editable to another delivery destination mail address, and the user is prompted to edit the delivery destination.

  Returning to FIG. 8, when the distribution control screen is displayed by the display control unit 340 and a distribution destination editing operation is performed on the operation / display unit 335, the receiving unit 350 receives an input of a distribution destination editing operation (step S46). And the reception part 350 receives the edited delivery destination as a delivery destination.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, when a delivery destination other than the default delivery destination is selected, the default delivery destination is edited to the selected delivery destination, and the edited delivery destination is accepted as the delivery destination.

  On the other hand, in step S42, when the accepting unit 350 determines that the editability information indicates that editing is not possible (No in step S42), the accepting unit 350 accepts the selection of the delivery destination for which the selection operation has been performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the data distribution apparatus 20 manages the distribution destination of the image data generated by the image forming apparatus 30 in units of groups to which the user authenticated by the authentication apparatus 10 and the authenticated user belong. . Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 30 can select the distribution destination of the image data from the distribution destinations related to the user authenticated by the authentication apparatus 10, and security related to the selection of the distribution destination. Can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the user authenticated by the authentication device 10 or the group to which the authenticated user belongs is used for managing the distribution destination, so that the load of managing the distribution destination can be reduced.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence showing an example of an administrator authentication procedure performed in the data distribution system 1.

  First, the display control unit 240 of the data distribution apparatus 20 displays an administrator identification information input screen for inputting administrator identification information and the like on the display unit 235 (step S100).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the administrator identification information input screen 430. In the example shown in FIG. 11, input fields for administrator identification information, password, and domain information are displayed, and the administrator is prompted to input these pieces of information.

  Returning to FIG. 10, when the administrator identification information input screen is displayed by the display control unit 240 and an input operation such as administrator identification information is performed on the operation unit 225, the reception unit 230 displays the administrator identification information and the like. An input is accepted (step S102).

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, when the selection operation of the login button 435 is performed, the reception unit 230 receives input of administrator identification information, password, and domain information displayed in the input field of the display unit 235.

  Subsequently, the communication control unit 220 of the data distribution device 20 transmits the administrator identification information received by the receiving unit 230 to the authentication device 10 (step S104).

  Subsequently, when administrator identification information or the like is received by the communication control unit 110 of the authentication device 10, the authentication unit 130 authenticates the administrator using the administrator identification information or the like received by the communication control unit 110. (Step S106).

  Then, the communication control unit 110 of the authentication device 10 transmits administrator authentication success / failure information indicating success / failure of the authentication by the authentication unit 130 to the data distribution device 20 (step S108).

  Subsequently, when the administrator authentication success / failure information is received from the authentication device 10 by the communication control unit 220 of the data distribution device 20, the management unit 250 of the data distribution device 20 indicates that the received administrator authentication success / failure information indicates successful authentication. It is determined whether or not. When the administrator authentication success / failure information indicates successful authentication, the management unit 250 reads the management authority information associated with the authorized administrator information indicating the administrator who has succeeded in the authentication, and the management authority indicated by the read management authority information A management function corresponding to the above is executed (step S110).

  For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the authentication of User A is successful, the management unit 250 displays the log browsing function because the management authority information associated with the authorized administrator information indicating User A indicates general. Run. In this case, the management unit 250 instructs the display control unit 240 to display the log browsing screen, and the display control unit 240 causes the display unit 235 to display the log browsing screen.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the log browsing screen 440. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, a log of a job performed in the data distribution system 1 is displayed, and the administrator is prompted to view the log.

  Further, for example, in the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the authentication of UserB is successful, the management unit 250 indicates that the management authority information associated with the authorized administrator information indicating UserB indicates management. Perform the function. In this case, the management unit 250 instructs the display control unit 240 to perform display control of a maintenance screen from which various management menus such as creation and correction of distribution destination information can be selected, and the display control unit 240 displays a maintenance screen on the display unit 235. Display.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the maintenance screen 450. In the example shown in FIG. 13, a distribution information creation menu 452, a distribution information change menu 454, and a log browsing menu 456 are displayed so as to be selectable, and prompt the user to select a management menu.

  Here, when a management menu selection operation is performed on the operation unit 225, the reception unit 230 receives a management menu selection. The display control unit 240 then creates a delivery information creation screen for creating delivery information corresponding to the delivery information creation menu 452, delivery information change menu 454, and log viewing menu 456, a delivery information creation screen for editing delivery information, and log viewing. Each screen (see FIG. 12) is displayed on the display unit 235.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the distribution information creation screen 460. On the distribution information creation screen 460, the permitted user information is associated with the newly created distribution destination.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14, when the selection of the add button 462 is received by the receiving unit 230, the selected account is associated with newly created distribution destination information as permitted user information. On the other hand, when the selection of the release button 464 is received by the reception unit 230, the selected account is released from the permitted user information associated with the newly created distribution destination information.

  When the selection of the creation button 466 is accepted by the accepting unit 230, the creating unit 252 displays the permitted user information associated with the delivery information creation screen 460 together with the delivery destination information of the newly created delivery destination 8. It is added (stored) in the distribution information storage unit 212.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, the creation unit 252 creates new distribution destination information by associating UserA as default permitted user information.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the distribution information change screen 470. On the distribution information change screen 470, the permitted user information associated with the existing distribution destination is changed.

  The operation when the add button 472 and the cancel button 474 are selected in the example shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the example shown in FIG.

  When the selection of the change button 476 is received by the receiving unit 230, the changing unit 254 displays the authorized user information associated with the existing distribution destination information (in the example illustrated in FIG. 15, distribution destinations 1 to 7). The user permission information set on the distribution information change screen 470 is collectively changed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the management function is executed with the management authority indicated by the management authority information associated with the permitted administrator information, and therefore the management function corresponding to the administrator can be executed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the management authority is managed using the administrator authenticated by the authentication apparatus 10 and the group to which the authenticated administrator belongs, so the management authority management load can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus has been described by taking a multifunction peripheral as an example. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. For example, any apparatus having a scanner function such as a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, and a scanner apparatus can be applied.

  In the present embodiment, the distribution information storage unit has been described by taking as an example the case where the distribution destination information, the permitted user information, the editability information, and the prohibited user information are stored in association with each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is not something. The distribution information storage unit may store at least the distribution destination information and the permitted user information, and can store the editability information and the prohibited user information as necessary.

  In the present embodiment, the management function has been described with reference to creation of distribution information, change of distribution information, log browsing, and the like, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, various management functions such as a management authority creation function and a management authority assignment function can be executed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the authentication device 10 and the data distribution device 20 are separate devices has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the data distribution device 20 and the authentication device 10 are set as one. It may be integrated into one device. That is, the data distribution device 20 may authenticate the user or the system administrator.

  The authentication device 10 and the data distribution device 20 according to the present embodiment include a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an HDD (Hard Disk). Drive), an external storage device such as a CD (Compact Disk) drive device, a display device such as a display device, an input / output device such as a keyboard and a mouse, etc., and has a hardware configuration using a normal computer. .

  The data distribution program executed by the data distribution apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile). Disk) and the like are provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  The data distribution program executed by the data distribution apparatus 20 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. . The data distribution program executed by the data distribution apparatus 20 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Further, the data distribution program according to the present embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The data distribution program executed by the data distribution apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment includes a module configuration including the above-described units (communication control unit, reception unit, display control unit, management unit, creation unit, change unit, and the like). It has become. As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) reads out and executes a data distribution program from the storage medium, and the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device. The communication control unit, the reception unit, the display control unit, and the management A section, a creation section, a change section, and the like are generated on the main storage device.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the image forming apparatus 30 has a configuration in which a controller 910 and an engine unit (Engine) 960 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The controller 910 is a controller that controls the entire image forming apparatus 30 and controls drawing, communication, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 960 is a printer engine that can be connected to a PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a 1-drum color plotter, a 4-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 960 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.

  The controller 910 includes a CPU 911, a north bridge (NB) 913, a system memory (MEM-P) 912, a south bridge (SB) 914, a local memory (MEM-C) 917, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 916 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 918, and the North Bridge (NB) 913 and the ASIC 916 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 915. The MEM-P 912 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 912a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 912b.

  The CPU 911 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 30, has a chip set composed of NB 913, MEM-P 912, and SB 914, and is connected to other devices via this chip set.

  The NB 913 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 911 and the MEM-P 912, SB 914, and AGP 915, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 912, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 912 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a memory for drawing printers, and the like, and includes a ROM 912a and a RAM 912b. The ROM 912a is a read-only memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, and the RAM 912b is a writable and readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, and the like.

  The SB 914 is a bridge for connecting the NB 913 to a PCI device and a peripheral device. The SB 914 is connected to the NB 913 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 916 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 915, the PCI bus, the HDD 918, and the MEM-C 917. The ASIC 916 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 916, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 917, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that perform image data rotation by hardware logic and the like. Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 960 via the PCI bus. The ASIC 916 is connected to an FCU (Fax Control Unit) 930, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 940, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 950 via a PCI bus. The operation display unit 920 is directly connected to the ASIC 916.

  A MEM-C 917 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 918 stores image data, programs (for example, installed software), font data, Storage for storing forms.

  AGP915 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card that has been proposed to speed up graphics processing, and speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing MEM-P912 with high throughput. .

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the data delivery system of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the delivery information storage part of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the corresponding | compatible table of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the management information storage part of this Embodiment. It is a sequence which shows an example of the delivery procedure of the image data performed with the data delivery system of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user identification information input screen of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the delivery destination selection screen of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the detailed procedure about selection of the delivery destination of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the delivery destination edit screen of this Embodiment. It is a sequence which shows an example of the authentication procedure of the administrator performed with the data delivery system of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the administrator identification information input screen of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the log browsing screen of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the maintenance screen of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the delivery information creation screen of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the delivery information change screen of this Embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Data distribution system 10 Authentication apparatus 20 Data distribution apparatus 30 Image forming apparatus 40 Network 110 Communication control part 120 Storage part 130 Authentication part 210 Storage part 212 Distribution information storage part 214 Management information storage part 220 Communication control part 225 Operation part 230 Reception part 235 Display unit 240 Display control unit 250 Management unit 252 Creation unit 254 Change unit 305 Reading unit 310 Reading control unit 320 Image processing unit 325 Printing unit 330 Print control unit 335 Operation / display unit 340 Display control unit 350 Reception unit 360 Communication control unit 400 User identification information input screen 405 Login button 410 Distribution destination selection screen 420 Distribution destination edit screen 430 Administrator identification information input screen 435 Login button 440 Log viewing screen 450 Maintenance screen 452 Distribution information creation menu 4 4 delivery information change menu 456 log viewing menu 460 delivery information creation screen 462 add button 464 release button 466 creation button 470 delivery information change screen 472 add button 474 release button 476 change button 910 controller 911 CPU
912 System memory 912a ROM
912b RAM
913 North Bridge 914 South Bridge 915 AGP Bus 916 ASIC
917 Local memory 918 Hard disk drive 920 Operation display unit 930 FCU
940 USB
950 IEEE1394 interface 960 engine part

Claims (17)

A data distribution system comprising an authentication device, a data distribution device, and an image forming device connected via a network,
The authentication device
Processing for receiving user identification information for identifying a user from the image forming apparatus via the data distribution apparatus, and transmitting user authentication success / failure information indicating success / failure of authentication using the received user identification information to the data distribution apparatus Authentication device side communication control means for performing,
Authentication means for authenticating the user using the received user identification information,
The data distribution device includes:
A distribution in which distribution destination information indicating a data distribution destination, permitted user information indicating a user permitted to distribute to the distribution destination, and editability information indicating whether or not the distribution destination can be edited are stored in association with each other. Information storage means;
A process of receiving the user identification information from the image forming apparatus and transmitting it to the authentication apparatus; receiving the user authentication success / failure information from the authentication apparatus; and if the received user authentication success / failure information indicates successful authentication, authentication A process of reading out the delivery destination information and the editability information associated with the permitted user information indicating the user who has succeeded in the delivery from the delivery information storage unit and transmitting the information to the image forming apparatus, and selecting in the image forming apparatus The distribution destination information indicating the distribution destination received and the image data generated by the image forming apparatus are received from the image forming apparatus, and the received image data is distributed to the distribution destination indicated by the received distribution destination information. And a data distribution device side communication control means for performing,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Generating means for generating the image data;
Display control means for causing the display means to display the delivery destination indicated by the delivery destination information received from the data delivery apparatus;
When receiving the selection of the distribution destination of the image data generated by the generation unit from the displayed distribution destinations, and the editability information of the distribution destination indicates that editing is possible, the distribution destination is edited. Furthermore, a receiving unit that Ru accepted,
Wherein the process of transmitting the user identification information to the authentication apparatus via the data distribution apparatus, a process of receiving the destination information and the revision permission information from said data distribution apparatus, selected by the receiving unit, or select and Image forming apparatus side communication control means for performing processing for transmitting the distribution destination information indicating the distribution destination for which editing has been accepted and the image data generated by the generation means to the data distribution apparatus. A data distribution system characterized by that. Each of the users can belong to a group,
The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the permitted user information further indicates a group permitted to be distributed to the distribution destination. The data distribution system according to claim 2 , wherein the group indicated by the permitted user information includes a special group to which all users belong. The distribution information storage means further stores prohibited user information indicating a user who is prohibited from distributing to the distribution destination in association with the permitted user information indicating the special group,
When the user authentication success / failure information received from the authentication device indicates successful authentication, the data distribution device side communication control means includes the prohibited user indicating the user among the permitted user information indicating the user who has been successfully authenticated. 4. The data distribution system according to claim 3 , wherein the distribution destination information associated with the permitted user information not associated with information is read from the distribution information storage unit and transmitted to the image forming apparatus. . 3. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the authorized user information is an account managed by the authentication device. The data distribution system according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the special group is an account that does not exist in an account managed by the authentication device. The data distribution device includes:
The data according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising a creating unit that associates the default authorized user information with each other and creates the new distribution destination information to be stored in the storage unit. Distribution system. The data distribution device includes:
The data distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising a changing unit that collectively changes the authorized user information associated with each of the distribution destination information. The authentication device-side communication control means includes processing for receiving administrator identification information for identifying an administrator from the data distribution device, and administrator authentication success / failure information indicating success or failure of authentication using the received administrator identification information. Further processing to transmit to the data distribution device,
The authentication means further authenticates the administrator using the received administrator identification information,
The data distribution device includes:
Management information storage means for storing management authority information indicating the management authority of the administrator and administrator information indicating the administrator in association with each other;
When the administrator authentication success / failure information received from the authentication device indicates successful authentication, a management function corresponding to the management authority indicated by the management authority information associated with the administrator information indicating the administrator who has succeeded in authentication Management means for executing
The data distribution device side communication control means further performs processing for transmitting the administrator identification information to the authentication device and processing for receiving the administrator authentication success / failure information from the authentication device. The data distribution system according to any one of 1 to 8 . Each administrator can belong to a group,
The data distribution system according to claim 9 , wherein the manager information further indicates a group having the management authority. An image forming apparatus capable of generating image data, an authentication apparatus capable of authenticating a user, and a data distribution apparatus connected via a network,
A distribution in which distribution destination information indicating a data distribution destination, permitted user information indicating a user permitted to distribute to the distribution destination, and editability information indicating whether or not the distribution destination can be edited are stored in association with each other. Information storage means;
A process of receiving user identification information for identifying a user from the image forming apparatus and transmitting it to the authentication apparatus; and receiving and receiving user authentication success / failure information indicating success or failure of authentication using the user identification information from the authentication apparatus When the user authentication success / failure information indicates successful authentication, the distribution destination information and the editability information associated with the permitted user information indicating the user who has been successfully authenticated are read from the distribution information storage unit and the image The processing to be transmitted to the forming apparatus, the distribution destination selected in the image forming apparatus from the distribution destinations indicated by the distribution destination information transmitted to the image forming apparatus , or the editability information of the distribution destination can be edited. receiving further the image data generated the distribution destination information indicating the edited the distribution destination by the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus to indicate And, data distribution apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a process for distributing the image data received in the destination indicated by the destination information received by a communication control means for performing, the. A data distribution apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus capable of generating image data via a network,
A distribution in which distribution destination information indicating a data distribution destination, permitted user information indicating a user permitted to distribute to the distribution destination, and editability information indicating whether or not the distribution destination can be edited are stored in association with each other. Information storage means;
Authentication means for authenticating the user using user identification information for identifying the user;
When the process of receiving the user identification information from the image forming apparatus and the user authentication success / failure information indicating success / failure of authentication by the authentication means indicate authentication success, it is associated with the permitted user information indicating the user who has succeeded in authentication A process of reading the distribution destination information and editability information that have been read out from the distribution information storage unit and transmitting the information to the image forming apparatus, and the image from among the distribution destinations indicated by the distribution destination information transmitted to the image forming apparatus When the distribution destination selected by the forming apparatus or the editability information of the distribution destination indicates that editing is possible, the distribution destination information indicating the distribution destination further edited and the image data generated by the image forming apparatus And a process of distributing the received image data to the distribution destination indicated by the distribution destination information received from the image forming apparatus. Data distribution apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a means. A data distribution method executed in a data distribution system comprising an authentication device, a data distribution device, and an image forming device connected via a network,
The authentication device
Processing for receiving user identification information for identifying a user from the image forming apparatus via the data distribution apparatus, and transmitting user authentication success / failure information indicating success / failure of authentication using the received user identification information to the data distribution apparatus An authentication device side communication control step for performing,
Authenticating the user using the received user identification information, and
The data distribution device includes:
A distribution in which distribution destination information indicating a data distribution destination, permitted user information indicating a user permitted to distribute to the distribution destination, and editability information indicating whether or not the distribution destination can be edited are stored in association with each other. Comprising information storage means,
A process of receiving the user identification information from the image forming apparatus and transmitting it to the authentication apparatus; receiving the user authentication success / failure information from the authentication apparatus; and if the received user authentication success / failure information indicates successful authentication, authentication A process of reading out the delivery destination information and the editability information associated with the permitted user information indicating the user who has succeeded in the delivery from the delivery information storage unit and transmitting the information to the image forming apparatus, and selecting in the image forming apparatus The distribution destination information indicating the distribution destination received and the image data generated by the image forming apparatus are received from the image forming apparatus, and the received image data is distributed to the distribution destination indicated by the received distribution destination information. And a data distribution device side communication control step for performing,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Generating the image data; and
A display control step of displaying on the display means the delivery destination indicated by the delivery destination information received from the data delivery device;
When receiving the selection of the distribution destination of the image data generated by the generation step from the displayed distribution destinations, and the editability information of the distribution destination indicates that editing is possible, the distribution destination is edited. In addition and accepting step of Ru accepted,
Wherein the process of transmitting the user identification information to the authentication apparatus via the data distribution apparatus, a process of receiving the destination information and the revision permission information from the data delivery device, selected by said accepting step, or select and An image forming apparatus-side communication control step for performing processing for transmitting the distribution destination information indicating the distribution destination for which editing has been accepted and the image data generated in the generation step to the data distribution apparatus. A data distribution method characterized by the above. A data distribution method executed by an image forming apparatus capable of generating image data, an authentication apparatus capable of authenticating a user, and a data distribution apparatus connected via a network,
The data distribution device includes:
A distribution in which distribution destination information indicating a data distribution destination, permitted user information indicating a user permitted to distribute to the distribution destination, and editability information indicating whether or not the distribution destination can be edited are stored in association with each other. Comprising information storage means,
A process of receiving user identification information for identifying a user from the image forming apparatus and transmitting it to the authentication apparatus; and receiving and receiving user authentication success / failure information indicating success or failure of authentication using the user identification information from the authentication apparatus When the user authentication success / failure information indicates successful authentication, the distribution destination information and the editability information associated with the permitted user information indicating the user who has been successfully authenticated are read from the distribution information storage unit and the image The processing to be transmitted to the forming apparatus, the distribution destination selected in the image forming apparatus from the distribution destinations indicated by the distribution destination information transmitted to the image forming apparatus , or the editability information of the distribution destination can be edited. receiving further the image data generated the distribution destination information indicating the edited the distribution destination by the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus to indicate And, a data delivery method characterized in that it comprises a communication control step of performing a process for distributing the image data received in the destination indicated by the destination information received by the. A data distribution method executed by a data distribution apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus capable of generating image data via a network,
The data distribution device includes:
A distribution in which distribution destination information indicating a data distribution destination, permitted user information indicating a user permitted to distribute to the distribution destination, and editability information indicating whether or not the distribution destination can be edited are stored in association with each other. Comprising information storage means,
An authentication step of authenticating the user using user identification information identifying the user;
When the process of receiving the user identification information from the image forming apparatus and the user authentication success / failure information indicating the success or failure of the authentication in the authentication step indicate an authentication success, it is associated with the authorized user information indicating the user who has succeeded in the authentication A process of reading the distribution destination information and editability information that have been read out from the distribution information storage unit and transmitting the information to the image forming apparatus, and the image from among the distribution destinations indicated by the distribution destination information transmitted to the image forming apparatus When the distribution destination selected by the forming apparatus or the editability information of the distribution destination indicates that editing is possible, the distribution destination information indicating the distribution destination further edited and the image data generated by the image forming apparatus And processing for distributing the received image data to the distribution destination indicated by the received distribution destination information. Data distribution method which comprises a control step, the. A data distribution program for causing a computer to execute the data distribution method according to claim 14 or 15 . A computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to claim 16 .

Images