JP5259275B2 - Password processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and password processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a password processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a password processing program. For example, a password processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a password processing that are suitable for being installed in a copying machine, a multi-function peripheral (MFP) or other electronic device. Concerning program improvements.

  In recent years, in copiers, multifunction devices, and other electronic devices, a password must be registered and set in advance, and a password must be entered before use, and when no password is entered or a password that is not included in the set password is entered, A device equipped with a password authentication device is provided so that use by a user other than an authorized user can be prohibited without activating the device.

  However, if the user forgets the password assigned to himself / herself, the use of the device will be hindered. Therefore, even if the user forgets the real password registered in advance, for example, an alternative password is used for the electronic device. Proposals have been made to enable use.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-177551 (Patent Document 1) is a password processing system for an information processing apparatus having this type of function.

That is, this Patent Document 1 includes a means for inputting personal information of the user himself / herself over multiple items registered by the user himself / herself, an input means for activating a recovery means for restoring a password, and the recovery means. Instead of preparing a hint string to remind you of the true password information from the entered personal information, means for creating recovery information to restore the true password itself, and the created recovery information And a means for providing recovery information to the user in order to restore the true password, so that the forgotten true password can be restored.
JP-A-10-177551

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, the user must store a plurality of personal information separately from the password registered first, and the operation and handling are likely to be complicated, and there is room for further improvement.

  Therefore, as a result of diligent consideration about the password and the memory of the user who uses the password, the inventor pays attention to the fact that the user rarely forgets the password, and if there are some hints, it is easy to remember the true set password. The present invention has been completed.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. A password processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a password processing program that allow a user to easily infer a set password and are difficult for others to guess the set password. For the purpose of provision.

  In order to solve such a problem, the password processing device according to the present invention forms a setting password that is set in advance, a storage unit that stores an auxiliary password that is a simple figure related to the setting password, and the setting password. A plurality of code display areas for displaying codes of the same type as codes are displayed, and a display input unit that accepts password input by selecting each code display region, and an input password and a set password input from the display input unit, A password verification unit that determines whether or not both match, an activation control unit that controls activation of the electronic device when the input password matches the set password, and a predetermined change instruction Based on the code display area corresponding to each code forming the set password. Sequence change along the simplified graphic shape, and includes a display changing unit to be displayed on the display input unit.

Password processing apparatus of the present invention, the password comparison section, when the input password is not entered within a predetermined time period, is configured to output the change instruction.

  In the password processing device of the present invention, the display changing unit changes the arrangement of the code display areas corresponding to the respective codes forming the set password in accordance with the code order of the set password along the simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password. Configuration is also possible.

  In the password processing device according to the present invention, the display change unit may change the arrangement of the code display areas corresponding to the respective codes forming the set password at random along the simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password. .

  In the password processing device of the present invention, the display input unit uses the numeric display area to which numbers are assigned and displayed as the code display area, and the display change unit arranges the numeric display area along the simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password. Configurations to change are also possible.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a password processing device having any one of the above-described configurations, and has a configuration for forming an image from image data.

  In the password processing program according to the present invention, when a setting password and an auxiliary password consisting of a simple figure related to the setting password are stored in advance in the storage unit, the setting password and the input password are collated, and when both match, Input for accepting input of a password by a selection operation from the code display area in which a plurality of code display areas for displaying the same type of code as the code forming the set password are displayed for a control computer that controls activation of the electronic device The password verification process that verifies the process and the input password input by this input process and the set password, and determines whether or not both match, and the password verification process determines that the input password matches the set password A start control process for controlling the start of the electronic device and a predetermined change The basis, the display change process of displaying in sequence changed along the simplified graphic shape of the code display area auxiliary password corresponding to each code that forms the setting password is intended to run.

The password processing program of the present invention, the password verification process is executed, a process of outputting the change instruction when the input password is not entered within a predetermined time period, a configuration to be executed by the control computer.

  In the password processing program of the present invention, the display change process includes a process of changing the arrangement of the code display area corresponding to each code forming the set password in accordance with the code order of the set password along the simple figure shape of the auxiliary password. A configuration in which the computer for control is executed is also possible.

  In the password processing program of the present invention, the display change process executes, in the control computer, a process for randomly changing the code display area corresponding to each code of the set password along the simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password. It is also possible to adopt a configuration.

  In the password processing program of the present invention, the input process uses the numeric display area where numbers are assigned and displayed as the code display area, and the display change process changes the arrangement of the numeric display area along the simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password. A configuration in which the control computer executes the processing to be performed is also possible.

  In the password processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus, and the password processing program according to the present invention, when a password is input from the code display area, the input password and the set password are collated, and when both match, the electronic device is based on this. On the other hand, on the basis of a predetermined change instruction, the code display area corresponding to each code forming the set password is displayed after being rearranged along the simple figure shape of the auxiliary password. Even if you forget the setting password, you can easily guess the setting password by looking at the code display area where the arrangement has been changed, and it is easy to ensure the startup of the electronic device, and others can guess the setting password. hard.

In the present invention, when the input password within a predetermined time period is not input, since outputs the change instruction, even if not type a password user forgets to set password, you can analogize easily set password, the electronic device It is easy to ensure the start-up.

  In the present invention, in the configuration in which the code display area corresponding to each code forming the setting password is rearranged according to the setting order of the setting password along the simple figure shape of the auxiliary password, the analogy of the setting password is further facilitated. .

  In the present invention, in the configuration in which the code display area corresponding to each code forming the set password is randomly rearranged along the simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password, it is more difficult for others to guess.

  In the present invention, in a configuration in which a number display area to which numbers are assigned and displayed is used as the code display area, and the number display area is rearranged along the simple figure shape of the auxiliary password, the electronic device has a number input function for setting. In many cases, the numeric input function can be easily used, and the configuration is not complicated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a password processing apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus and password processing program according to the present invention will be described in the course of describing the password processing apparatus of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a password processing apparatus A according to the present invention has a display input unit 3, a storage unit 5, a password verification unit 7, a display change unit 9, and an activation control unit 11 centering on the main control unit 1. It is mounted on an image forming apparatus according to the present invention such as a multifunction machine. Although the image forming apparatus has other configurations, it is not a main part of the present invention, and thus detailed description and illustration are omitted.

  The main control unit 1 controls the display input unit 3, the storage unit 5, the password verification unit 7, the display change unit 9, and the activation control unit 11, and details will be described later.

  When the password processing apparatus A is mounted on an image forming apparatus, for example, although not shown, an image reading unit that optically reads image data from a document, an operation panel unit that receives an operation input instruction such as a print instruction, and the like A communication unit that transmits and receives image data between them, a printing unit that prints the image data on paper, and the like are connected to the main control unit 1.

  The display input unit 3 is a liquid crystal type display unit that displays an operation state of the apparatus and a touch switch type input unit, for example, the operation panel unit itself of the image forming apparatus or a part thereof. The image display is controlled by the above, and the instruction information instructed to input is output to the main controller 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the display input unit 3 divides the rectangular area into nine square areas each having three vertical and horizontal dimensions, and assigns and displays numbers 1 to 9 to the individual square areas. 3a are arranged and displayed in the form of a known numeric keypad in the order of 1 to 9, and corresponding numerical information is output to the main control unit 1 by touch selection of each numerical display area 3a. The entered numeric information functions as a password as will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the display input unit 3 is configured so that the arrangement position of the numeric display area 3a can be changed by display control from the display change unit 9 via the main control unit 1, and the numeric display area whose position has been changed. From 3 a, the numeric information of the numeric display area 3 a whose position has been changed is output to the main control unit 1.

  The storage unit 5 in FIG. 1 includes image information (see FIG. 2) related to the numeric display area 3a displayed by the display input unit 3, a setting password described later, an auxiliary password associated with the auxiliary password 13, and a main control unit. One operation program and the like are stored, and can be formed by a part of a readable / writable hard disk (HDD) for storing image data and operation programs in the image forming apparatus.

  The setting password is, for example, a multi-digit (four-digit) number “8469” previously assigned to the user by the administrator, and the auxiliary password 13 is a simple figure (for example, triangle: Δ) related to the setting password. And stored in the storage unit 5 at the time of installation of the image forming apparatus or thereafter.

  The simple figure can be stored as the auxiliary password 13 in any of the meaning of the figure itself such as Δ or the figure such as a triangle.

  The password collation unit 7 collates the input password input from the display input unit 3 and the set password within a predetermined period (for example, within several minutes) under the control of the main control unit 1, and determines that both match. The authentication information is output to the main control unit 1 when the authentication information is not output because the authentication information is not output without the input password being input.

  The password verification unit 7 also has a function of terminating verification when an input password is not input from the display input unit 3 or when a predetermined period elapses without authentication information being output even if the password is input.

  Based on the change instruction information, the display change unit 9 virtually applies the simple graphic shape as the auxiliary password 13 to the display input unit 3, changes the arrangement of the numeric display area along the simple graphic shape, and displays the display input unit 3. It has a function to control display.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, since the simple figure that is the auxiliary password 13 is a triangle, the center of the number display area 3a (8, 4, 6, 9) corresponding to the numbers forming the setting password is the setting password. In the numerical order of the triangle from the upper corner (vertex) of the triangle to the left corner and the right corner. In FIG. 2B, the number display area 3a corresponding to the numbers forming the set password is changed so as to be positioned at the periphery of the square area.

  The activation control unit 11 has a function of controlling the activation of the electronic device by turning on the power supply to the main part of the image forming apparatus or the like based on the authentication information from the password verification unit 7.

  The main control unit 1 includes a CPU, a memory unit that stores a startup program for the CPU, and an input / output interface (none of which are shown), and includes the display input unit 3, the storage unit 5, the password verification unit 7, and the like described above. The display changing unit 9 and the activation control unit 11 are controlled, and a part of these functions is performed.

  Further, the main control unit 1 controls the output of the input password from the display input unit 3 to the password verification unit 7, and controls the output of the change instruction information from the password verification unit 7 to the display change unit 9. The display input section 3 is output-controlled to control the display change, and the authentication information from the password verification section 7 is output to the activation control section 11.

  Next, the operation of the above-described password processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the operation program is started, in step S1, the display input unit 3 displays the numeric display area 3a as a numeric keypad-type initial input screen, and proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the password verification unit 7 determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has passed for password input. If the predetermined period does not end and step S2 is NO, the process proceeds to step S3, and display input is performed in step S3. The process waits for the input of the password from the unit 3 and proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the password verification unit 7 determines whether there is an input password that matches the set password.

  If there is a matching input password and step S4 is YES, the activation control unit 11 activates the image forming apparatus based on the authentication information from the password verification unit 7 in step S5, and thereafter, the process proceeds to a process not shown. These processes are examples in which the user remembers the set password, inputs the password from the display screen shown in FIG. 2A, and does not use the auxiliary password 13.

  If there is no matching password and step S4 is NO, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the display change unit 9 changes the arrangement of the numeric display area 3a of the display input unit 3 along the auxiliary password as shown in FIG. 2B. Then, the input screen is changed and created, and the display is controlled, and the process returns to step S1.

  On the other hand, if there is no password input, or if the input password from the number display area 3a (input screen) based on the position change in step S6 still does not match and the predetermined period has elapsed, step S2 becomes YES To do.

  These processes are executed by the password processing program of the present invention. These processing programs are stored in a storage unit at the time of manufacture, or stored and supplied in an external storage medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

  As described above, in the password processing device according to the present invention, the storage unit 5 for storing the preset password and the auxiliary password 13 composed of the figure (triangle: Δ) related to the preset password, and the setting thereof. A number display area 3a that displays numbers similar to the numbers forming the password is displayed as a plurality of input screens, and a display input section 3 that accepts input of a password by selecting each number display area 3a, and the display input section The password verification unit 7 that determines whether or not the input password input from 3 matches the set password, and the electronic device is activated when the password verification unit determines that the input password matches the set password. If there is no input password that matches the startup control unit 11 to be controlled and the set password, password verification is performed. When the unit 7 determines, the number display area 3a corresponding to each number forming the set password is rearranged along the triangle (Δ) shape of the auxiliary password 13, and the rearranged number display area 3a is used as an input screen. And a display change unit 9 to be displayed on the display input unit 3.

  Therefore, even if the user forgets the setting password, the number display area 3a forming the setting password is rearranged along the triangle (Δ) as the auxiliary password 13 on the changed input screen. ) Is the auxiliary password 13, it is possible to easily guess the set password by looking at the changed number display area, and it is easy to ensure the activation of the electronic device.

  In addition, since the auxiliary password 13 is difficult to be understood by others, it is difficult for others to guess it, and the auxiliary password is easy to remember because it is a figure.

  The password processing device of the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the numeric display area 3a is rearranged when it is determined that the input password and the set password are not matched, and the input password is not changed within a predetermined period. It is also possible to change the arrangement of the number display area 3a and display it when the password is not input, and the password verification unit 7 and the display change unit 9 may be formed accordingly.

  That is, the password verification unit 7 is configured to output the change instruction when it is determined that the input password does not match the set password, or the change instruction is output when the input password is not input within a predetermined period. A password verification unit 7 may be formed.

  In the password processing device of the present invention, the number display area 3a arranged along the simple figure (triangle: Δ) shape as the auxiliary password 13 is in the order of the numbers forming the set password as shown in FIG. 4A. The arrangement is not limited to the configuration change display as in a single stroke, but can be configured to change the arrangement at random along the shape of a simple figure (triangle: Δ) as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the configuration in which numbers are randomly arranged and displayed has an advantage that it is difficult for others to guess the set password.

  Furthermore, in the password processing device of the present invention, the code display area is not limited to the configuration in which the number display area 3a for displaying numbers 0 to 9 is arranged and displayed. For example, the codes forming the set password are English letters or symbols. If there is, it may be carried out in a code display area in which those English characters and symbols are displayed as codes, and the display input unit 3 and the display change unit 9 may be formed in accordance with this.

  In the password processing device of the present invention, the simple figure as the auxiliary password 13 is not limited to a triangle (Δ), but may be a square (□), for example, as shown in FIG. However, it is also possible to make a simple figure such as ◯, ◇, + or ×. Simple figures that are easy for the user to remember are preferred.

  The simple figure as the auxiliary password 13 may be a triangle (Δ), a quadrangle (□), or the like, for example, as shown in FIGS. . In short, it should be changed and arranged so that the central portion of the code display area 3a is positioned along the corners and sides connecting the simple figures.

  Furthermore, in the password processing device of the present invention, as described above, when the password verification unit 7 determines that there is no input password that matches the set password, the number display area 3a is limited to a configuration that is changed by the display change unit 9. Not.

  For example, a changeover switch 3b as a change instruction unit for starting a change operation by the display change unit 9 is arranged in the display input unit 3, and a change instruction is output by an input operation of the changeover switch 3b to change the number display area 3a. Configuration is also possible.

  By the way, if an image forming apparatus that forms an image from image data such as print data is provided with the password processing apparatus having the above-described configuration, the same effect can be obtained.

  In the password processing program according to the present invention, the setting password and the auxiliary password made of a simple figure related to the setting password are stored in the storage unit in advance, and the setting password and the input password are collated to match each other. When the control computer that controls the activation of the electronic device is input a password by a selection operation from the code display area in which a plurality of code display areas that display the same type of code as the code forming the set password are displayed. The input process to be accepted, the input password input by this input process and the set password are verified, and the password verification process for determining whether or not both match, and the password verification process is performed when the input password matches the set password. When determined, a start control process for controlling start of the electronic device, and a predetermined control Based on the further instruction, if the display change processing for displaying the code display area corresponding to each code forming the set password along with the simplified graphic shape of the auxiliary password is executed, The same effect as the password processing device can be obtained.

  Further, in the password processing program of the present invention, when the password verification process determines that the input password does not match the set password, a configuration for executing a process for outputting the change instruction, and the password verification process is performed within a predetermined period. The above-described present invention can be applied to a configuration in which a process for outputting the change instruction is executed when the input password is not input, or a change instruction process in which the change instruction is output by accepting an operation to the change instruction unit from the outside. The same effects as those of the password processing apparatus can be obtained.

  Further, in the password processing program of the present invention, the display change process changes the arrangement of the code display areas corresponding to the respective codes forming the set password in accordance with the simple password shape of the auxiliary password in the code order of the set password. The configuration for executing the process, the display change process, the configuration for executing the process of randomly changing the code display area corresponding to each code of the set password along the simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password, and the input process, The present invention described above can also be applied to a configuration in which a numeric display area to which numbers are assigned and displayed is used as the code display area, and the display change process executes a process of changing the arrangement of the numeric display area along the simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password. The same effects as those of the password processing apparatus can be obtained.

  The password processing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a combination machine combining these, and can be applied to various electronic devices.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the password processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the example of the code | symbol display area in the password processing apparatus which concerns on FIG. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the password processing apparatus which concerns on FIG. It is a figure explaining other embodiment of the password processing apparatus which concerns on FIG.

1 Main Control Unit 3 Display Input Unit 3a Number Display Area (Code Display Area)
3b changeover switch (change instruction part)
5 Storage Unit 7 Password Verification Unit 9 Display Change Unit 11 Start Control Unit 13 Auxiliary Password (Simple Figure)
A Password processing device

Claims (9)

A storage unit for storing a preset password and an auxiliary password made of a simple figure related to the preset password;
A plurality of code display areas for displaying the same type of code as the code forming the set password are displayed, and a display input unit that receives an input of a password by a selection operation of each of the code display areas;
A password verification unit that verifies the input password input from the display input unit and the set password, and determines whether or not both match;
When the password verification unit determines that the input password matches the set password, a startup control unit that controls startup of the electronic device,
Based on a predetermined change instruction, the code display area corresponding to each code forming the set password is rearranged along the simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password, and a display change unit for displaying on the display input unit,
Equipped with,
The password verification device outputs the change instruction when the input password is not input within a predetermined period . 2. The display changing unit changes the arrangement of the code display areas corresponding to the respective codes forming the setting password in accordance with the code order of the setting passwords along the simple figure shape of the auxiliary password. Password processing device. 3. The password processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display change unit is configured to randomly change the arrangement of the code display areas corresponding to the codes forming the setting password along a simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password. . The display input unit uses a number display area to which numbers are assigned and displayed as the code display area, and the display change unit changes the arrangement of the number display area along a simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password. The password processing device according to any one of 1 to 3. An image forming apparatus comprising the password processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is formed from image data. When a setting password and an auxiliary password consisting of a simple figure related to the setting password are stored in the storage unit in advance, and the setting password and the input password are collated and the two match, the control computer that controls the activation of the electronic device In contrast,
An input process for receiving an input of a password by a selection operation from the code display area in which a plurality of code display areas for displaying a code of the same type as the code forming the setting password are displayed,
A password verification process that verifies the input password input by the input process and the set password, and determines whether or not both match;
An activation control process for controlling activation of the electronic device when the password verification process determines that the input password matches the set password;
Based on a predetermined change instruction, a display change process for changing and displaying the code display area corresponding to each code forming the setting password along the simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password, and
And execute
The password verification process causes the control computer to execute a process of outputting the change instruction when the input password is not input within a predetermined period. In the display change process, the control computer performs a process of rearranging the code display area corresponding to each code forming the setting password along the simplified graphic shape of the auxiliary password according to the code order of the setting password. The password processing program according to claim 6 to be executed. 7. The display change process causes the control computer to execute a process of randomly rearranging the code display area corresponding to each code forming the setting password along a simple graphic shape of the auxiliary password. Or the password processing program of 7. In the input process, a number display area to which numbers are assigned and displayed is used as the code display area, and in the display change process, the process for changing the arrangement of the number display area along the simplified graphic shape of the auxiliary password is performed in the control computer. The password processing program according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the password processing program is executed.

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