JP5346852B2 - Image forming system and user manager server device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit or forbid transmission with a detailed condition corresponding to a content (address or the like), relative to a facsimile or an electronic mail which is a transmission object in a transmission job such as facsimile transmission or electronic mail transmission, while performing centralized management of approval information relative to each user. <P>SOLUTION: A user management server device 3 transmits approval information relative to a log-in user whose user authentication is succeeded, and transmission filter information applied to the log-in user to an image forming device (a composite machine 1A or a composite machine 1B). The composite machines 1A, 1B receive the approval information and the transmission filter information relative to the log-in user, and restrict transmission of the facsimile or the electronic mail based on the transmission filter information, when transmitting the facsimile or the electronic mail in a transmission job by the log-in user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system and user manager server equipment.

  In recent years, directory services such as an active directory and an e directory have been introduced to manage users and devices in a network system. Some image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and multifunction machines have a network function, and currently users and groups (departments) can be managed using such a directory service. When performing user management with a directory service, user authentication of a user who has performed a login operation on an image forming apparatus is usually performed by a server apparatus of the directory service.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus, an authorization process may be performed in which only a function permitted to the login user among various functions can be used. Normally, in the authorization process, for each user, authorization information that designates a function that is permitted to be used (or a function that is prohibited to be used) is preset in the image forming apparatus, and is used by the login user in accordance with the authorization information. Function to be limited. In addition, there is also a system that provides the login user authorization information to the image forming apparatus using an intermediate server device having authorization information for each user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-140067 A

  In the above-described system, although the authorization information for each user can be centrally managed by the intermediate server device, it is difficult to permit or prohibit the job according to the setting value input each time by the login user. is there. For example, for facsimile or e-mail to be sent in a transmission job such as facsimile transmission, e-mail transmission (ScanToEmail that sends scanned images by e-mail, or BoxToEmail that sends images in a document box by e-mail), etc. It is difficult for the above-described system to permit or prohibit transmission according to the contents (address or the like).

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. While centrally managing authorization information for each user, the transmission target facsimile or electronic mail in a transmission job such as facsimile transmission or electronic mail transmission (ScanToEmail or BoxToEmail) is provided. the mail, the purpose of obtaining the content (address etc.) imaging system that can enables or prohibits transmission according to, and the user manager server equipment usable in the image forming system To do.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

An image forming system according to the present invention provides an image forming apparatus connected to a network and authorization information for specifying the function that is connected to the network and is permitted to be used by a login user of the image forming apparatus. A user manager server device; and a directory server device that provides directory service and has registration information of domain groups and domain users. User manager server device includes, (a) a domain user separately local user registration information with, domain user and / or local group registration information that includes the local user, as well as domain groups, local groups, domain users, and local If there is an authorization policy that can be set separately for the user and there are multiple authorization policies that should be applied to the login user, the conflicting setting items in the multiple authorization policies that are selected according to the predetermined rule are applied However, by combining the plurality of authorization policies to generate one authorization policy, the authorization policy generated by combining the plurality of authorization policies is used to display the authorization information applied to the user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus. Identify and send the specified authorization information to the image forming device, ( ) Transmits the transmission filter information which is applied to the login user who has succeeded in the user authentication to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus receives (c) authorization information, specifies a function for prohibiting or permitting use by a user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus based on the received authorization information, and (d) for a logged-in user When transmission filter information is received and a facsimile or electronic mail is transmitted in a transmission job by a login user, transmission of the facsimile or electronic mail is restricted based on the transmission filter information. The transmission filter information may be part of the authorization information.

  As a result, authorization information (and transmission filter information) for each user is centrally managed by the user manager server device, and the transmission target facsimile or e-mail is transmitted in a transmission job such as facsimile transmission or e-mail transmission (ScanToEmail or BoxToEmail). On the other hand, transmission can be permitted or prohibited depending on the contents (address or the like).

A user manager server device according to the present invention includes a network interface connected to a network, a user authentication processing unit that authenticates a login user of an image forming apparatus connected to the network using the network interface, and (a) In addition to the domain service domain user provided by the directory server device, the local user registration information and the domain user and / or local group registration information including the local user are stored, and (b) the directory service domain group, An authorization policy that can be set separately for a local group, a domain user, and a local user is stored, and (c) a condition for restricting facsimile or e-mail transmission in a transmission job by the image forming apparatus is shown. The transmit filter information, a storage device having for each user and / or user groups, user authentication has succeeded, if there are a plurality of authorization policy to be applied to the log-in user is a domain user or a local user, in that a plurality of authorization policies For conflicting setting items, apply the one selected according to the predetermined rule, combine the multiple authorization policies to generate one authorization policy, and combine the multiple authorization policies the authorization information about the log-in user and particular, the identified authorization information, using the network interface and transmits to the image forming apparatus, the user authentication is successful, transmission of the logged-in user is a domain user or a local user Filter information Use interface and a authorization processing unit for transmitting to the image forming apparatus. The transmission filter information may be part of the authorization information.

  As a result, authorization information (and transmission filter information) for each user is centrally managed by the user manager server device, and the transmission target facsimile or e-mail is transmitted in a transmission job such as facsimile transmission or e-mail transmission (ScanToEmail or BoxToEmail). On the other hand, transmission can be permitted or prohibited depending on the contents (address or the like).

  In addition to the above user manager server device, the user manager server device according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the transmission filter information includes a black list or a white list for a facsimile number and / or an electronic mail address as a transmission destination.

  Accordingly, in the image forming apparatus, transmission of a facsimile number and / or an electronic mail address can be restricted for each user depending on a transmission destination.

  In addition to the above user manager server device, the user manager server device according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the transmission filter information includes a black list or a white list for the domain of the e-mail address that is the transmission destination.

  Thereby, in the image forming apparatus, transmission of an e-mail address can be restricted for each user by a destination domain. For example, by registering only the company's domain in the white list, the destination of the e-mail can be restricted within the company.

  According to the present invention, the contents of a facsimile or e-mail to be transmitted in a transmission job such as facsimile transmission or e-mail transmission (ScanToEmail or BoxToEmail) while centrally managing authorization information for each user in the server device. Transmission can be permitted or prohibited under detailed conditions according to (destination, etc.).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction machine in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the user manager server apparatus in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the authorization policy data in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the directory server device in FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of each device when a user logs in to the multifunction machine in the system shown in FIG.

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

Embodiment 1 FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the system shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of multifunction peripherals 1 </ b> A and 1 </ b> B and a printer 1 </ b> C are connected to a network 2, and a user manager server device 3 and a directory server device 4 are connected to the network 2.

  The multifunction device 1A has a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like, and executes various jobs with the above-described functions in accordance with commands from the operation panel on the multifunction device 1A, a host device connected to the network 2, and the like. An image forming apparatus. The multifunction machine 1B is a similar device. The printer 1C is also an image forming apparatus like the multifunction machines 1A and 1B, but does not have a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function. In the following, the case where the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B function as image forming apparatuses will be mainly described. However, the printer 1C can also function as an image forming apparatus.

  The user manager server device 3 is a server device that accepts user authentication requests from the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B and provides authorization information for users logged in to the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B. The directory server device 4 is a server device that provides directory services such as an active directory and an e directory.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the multifunction machine 1A in FIG. The multifunction machine 1B has a similar configuration. The multi-function device 1A includes an operation panel 21, a modem 22, a network interface 23, a printer 24, a scanner 25, and a control device 26.

  The operation panel 21 is installed in the housing of the multifunction machine 1A, and includes a display device 21a that displays various types of information to the user and an input device 21b that receives user operations. The display device 21a is, for example, a liquid crystal display or various indicators. The input device 21b is, for example, a touch panel or a key switch.

  The modem 22 can be connected to a subscriber telephone network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and is a communication device that transmits and receives facsimile data.

  The network interface 23 can be connected to a wired or wireless computer network 2 and performs data communication with other devices (server device 3, host device not shown) connected to the network 2. Device.

  The printer 24 is an internal device that prints on a sheet according to a print request and discharges the printed matter. In the case of the electrophotographic method, after charging the photosensitive drum, the printer 24 emits a light source based on the print data to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and this electrostatic latent image is Development is performed with toner, the toner image is transferred and fixed on a sheet, and the sheet is discharged as a printed matter.

  The scanner 25 irradiates light on one or both sides of a document fed by an automatic document feeder or a document placed by a user and receives reflected light or the like to read an image of the document. It is an internal device that outputs as image data.

  The control device 26 is a device that controls each unit in the multifunction peripheral 1A and performs data processing. The control device 26 is configured as a computer having, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. In the control device 26, the CPU implements various processing units by loading a program stored in the ROM or other storage device (flash memory or the like) into the RAM and executing it. In the control device 26, a FAX communication unit 31, a network communication unit 32, a control unit 33, and a determination unit 34 are realized.

  The FAX communication unit 31 is a processing unit that controls the modem 22 and receives facsimile data. When receiving the facsimile data, the FAX communication unit 31 supplies a print request to the determination unit 34.

  The network communication unit 32 is a processing unit that controls the network interface 23 and performs data communication with devices on the network 2 using various communication protocols. For example, the network communication unit 32 transmits the user name (user ID) and password input to the operation panel 21 at the time of user login to the user manager server device 3 and receives the login user authorization information from the user manager server device 3. . For example, the network communication unit 32 receives a print request (such as PDL (Page Description Language) data) from the host computer, and supplies the print request to the control unit 33. In addition, when executing the e-mail transmission function such as ScanToEmail or BoxToEmail, the network communication unit 32 converts an e-mail including an image data file such as an image obtained by the scan function or an image in the document box to SMTP (Simple The network interface 23 is used for transmission using a protocol such as Mail Transfer Protocol.

  The control unit 33 receives a job request by a user operation on the operation panel 21 or a job request received from the host device by the network interface 23 and the network communication unit 32, and controls each unit in the multifunction peripheral 1A to control the job. A processing unit that executes a job corresponding to a request. The job request includes a print request, a scan request, a facsimile transmission request, and the like. In addition, when there is a login operation, the control unit 33 uses the network communication unit 32 to request user authentication, authorization information, and the like from the user manager server device 3.

  In this embodiment, the authorization information includes transmission filter information. If the transmission filter information exists separately from the authorization information, the transmission filter information is also requested together with the authorization information. The transmission filter information includes conditions for permitting and / or prohibiting transmission of facsimile and electronic mail in a transmission job such as facsimile transmission and electronic mail transmission. For example, the transmission filter information includes a black list or a white list for a facsimile number and / or an e-mail address as a transmission destination. In addition, for example, the transmission filter information includes a blacklist or white for a domain of an email address to be a destination (yyy.co.jp, co.jp, or jp of xxx@yyy.co.jp is a domain). Contains a list.

  Based on the authorization information about the login user received from the user manager server device 3 by the network interface 23 and the network communication unit 32, the determination unit 34 uses the login user among the functions of the MFP 1A. It is a processing unit that specifies a function to be prohibited (or a function to be permitted) and stores data indicating whether or not to permit use of each function on, for example, a RAM. The control unit 33 refers to the data and restricts the use of the MFP 1A by the login user. For example, when the use of the color copy function is restricted for the logged-in user, a copy function menu is displayed on the operation panel 21 so that the color copy cannot be selected (for example, selecting a color from monochrome / color). Button is grayed out). In particular, the control unit 33 restricts facsimile and / or e-mail transmission in a transmission job by the login user based on the transmission filter information. That is, transmission of electronic mail is prohibited for destinations that match the above black list and destinations other than the destination that matches the above white list.

  In this way, the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B are configured.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the user manager server device 3 in FIG. The user manager server device 3 includes a storage device 41, a network interface 42, and an arithmetic processing device 43.

  The storage device 41 is a device that stores programs and data. As the storage device 41, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, or the like is used. The storage device 41 stores authorization policy data 51, local user data 52, and local group data 53.

  The authorization policy data 51 is data including authorization information used for specifying a function that is permitted to be used by the login user of the multifunction peripheral 1A, 1B. In this embodiment, the authorization policy data 51 also includes transmission filter information. The authorization policy data 51 can include authorization information for users and authorization information for groups. Authorization information for a user is authorization information applied to the user, and authorization information for a group is authorization information applied to users belonging to the group. Therefore, transmission filter information can also be set for each user and / or user group. The authorization policy data 51 includes authorization information for a domain user registered in the directory server device 4 and authorization information for a local user registered in the user manager server device 3 as authorization information for the user. And can be included. The authorization policy data 51 includes authorization information for a domain group registered in the directory server device 4 and authorization information for a local group registered in the user manager server device 3 as authorization information for the group. And can be included. The authorization information for a user includes a user ID and information on a function that is permitted (or prohibited) for the user (for example, a function ID). The authorization information for a group includes a group ID and information on a function that is permitted (or prohibited) for a user belonging to the group (for example, a function ID). For example, functions permitted (or prohibited) to be used include large items such as printing, scanning, copying, and facsimile transmission, and small items (for example, a color / monochrome selection function) associated with each large item.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the authorization policy data 51 in FIG.

  In the authorization policy data 51 shown in FIG. 4, the domain group A includes domain users A, B, C, and D, and the local group A includes local users A and B and domain users B and D. An authorization policy # 1 (policy data including authorization information) is set for the domain group A, an authorization policy # 2 is set for the domain user A belonging to the domain group A, and an authorization policy # for the local group A 3 is set, the authorization policy # 4 is set for the local user A belonging to the local group A, the authorization policy # 5 is set for the domain user B belonging to the domain group A, and the authorization for the domain user E is set. Policy # 6 is set, and authorization policy # 7 is set for local user C.

  The local user data 52 is data including registration information (user ID and password) of the local user. The local user is a user registered in the user manager device 3 separately from the domain user registered in the directory server device 4.

  The local group data 53 is data including registration information (group ID and user ID of a user belonging to the group) of the local group. The local group is a group registered in the user manager device 3 separately from the domain user registered in the directory server device 4. Local groups can include local users and domain users. That is, a local group consisting only of local users, a local group consisting only of domain users, and a local group consisting of local users and domain users can be set.

  The network interface 42 can be connected to a wired or wireless computer network 2 and performs data communication with other devices (such as the multifunction devices 1A and 1B and the server device 4) connected to the network 2. Device.

  The arithmetic processing unit 43 is configured as a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and loads various programs stored in the ROM or the storage device 41 into the RAM and executes them by the CPU, thereby realizing various processing units. . In the arithmetic processing device 43, a network communication unit 61, a user authentication processing unit 62, and an authorization processing unit 63 are realized.

  The network communication unit 61 is a processing unit that controls the network interface 42 and performs data communication with devices on the network 2 using various communication protocols. For example, the network communication unit 61 receives a user name (user ID) and a password from the multifunction device 1A, and transmits authorization information about the user to the multifunction device 1A. For example, the network communication unit 61 transmits a user authentication request to the directory server device 4 and receives the authentication result and user information from the directory server device 4.

  The user authentication processing unit 62 is a processing unit that performs authentication of login users of the multifunction peripherals 1 </ b> A and 1 </ b> B using the local user data 52 or the directory server device 4 using the network interface 42.

  The authorization processing unit 63 is a processing unit that transmits authorization information about the login user of the multifunction device 1A (or multifunction device 1B) that has been successfully authenticated to the multifunction device 1A (or multifunction device 1B). In this embodiment, when the login user of the multifunction device 1A (or multifunction device 1B) who has succeeded in user authentication belongs to the local group, the authorization processing unit 63 obtains authorization information for the local group from the authorization policy data 51. If the logged-in user that has been extracted and transmitted to the MFP 1A (or MFP 1B) using the network interface 42 as authorization information for the logged-in user and succeeded in user authentication does not belong to the local group, the logged-in user The authorization information for the domain group to which the user belongs or the user (domain user or local user) is extracted from the authorization policy data 51, and the network interface 42 is used as the authorization information for the login user. 1B To send to.

  For example, in the case of the authorization policy data 51 shown in FIG. 4, when the domain user A logs in to the multifunction device 1A, the authorization policy # 2 and the authorization policy # 1 are transmitted to the multifunction device 1A. When there are conflicting authorization settings in the user and group authorization policies (here, authorization policy # 2 and authorization policy # 1), the setting of a predetermined authorization policy of the group or user is applied. In this case, when the domain user B logs in to the multifunction device 1A, the authorization policy # 5, the authorization policy # 3, and the authorization policy # 1 are transmitted to the multifunction device 1A. If there are conflicting authorization settings in the domain group and local group authorization policies (here, authorization policy # 1 and authorization policy # 3), the setting of the predetermined authorization policy of the domain group or local user is applied. Is done. In this case, when the domain user C logs in to the multifunction device 1A, the authorization policy # 1 is transmitted to the multifunction device 1A. In this case, when the domain user D logs in to the multifunction device 1A, the authorization policy # 1 and the authorization policy # 3 are transmitted to the multifunction device 1A. In this case, when the domain user E logs in to the multifunction device 1A, the authorization policy # 6 is transmitted to the multifunction device 1A. In this case, when the local user A logs in to the multifunction device 1A, the authorization policy # 4 and the authorization policy # 3 are transmitted to the multifunction device 1A. In this case, when the local user B logs in to the multifunction device 1A, the authorization policy # 3 is transmitted to the multifunction device 1A. In this case, when the local user C logs in to the multifunction device 1A, the authorization policy # 7 is transmitted to the multifunction device 1A.

  When there are a plurality of authorization policies to be applied to a certain login user, the authorization processing unit 63 generates a single authorization policy by combining the authorization policies in the server device 3 and transmits the generated authorization policy. You may make it do. In that case, any setting policy selected according to a predetermined rule is applied to setting items that compete with each other in a plurality of approval policies.

  Thus, the user manager server device 3 is configured.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the directory server device 4 in FIG. The directory server device 4 includes a storage device 71, a network interface 72, and an arithmetic processing device 73.

  The storage device 71 is a device that stores programs and data. As the storage device 71, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, or the like is used. A directory service database 91 is constructed in the storage device 71, and the database 91 includes user data 91a and group data 91b. The user data 91a includes a user ID, a password, and user information (a telephone number, a facsimile number, an e-mail address, and other attribute information to be contacted). The group data 91b includes a group ID, a user ID list of users belonging to the group, and group information (contact information, responsible person, and other attribute information).

  The network interface 72 is a device that can be connected to a wired or wireless computer network 2 and performs data communication with other devices (such as the server device 3) connected to the network 2.

  The arithmetic processing unit 73 is configured as a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and implements various processing units by loading a program stored in the ROM or the storage device 71 into the RAM and executing the program by the CPU. In this arithmetic processing unit 73, a network communication unit 81 and a directory service processing unit 82 are realized.

  The network communication unit 81 is a processing unit that controls the network interface 72 and performs data communication with devices on the network 2 using various communication protocols. For example, the network communication unit 81 receives a user authentication request and transmits the authentication result and user information.

  The directory service processing unit 82 is a processing unit that manages domain users and domain groups. The directory service processing unit 82 performs registration and deletion of domain users and domain groups, user authentication, provision of user information of domain users and group information of domain groups, and the like. For user authentication, LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) authentication, Kerberos authentication, or the like is used. When the directory service is an active directory, the directory service processing unit 82 operates as a domain controller.

  Thus, the directory server device 4 is configured.

  Next, the operation of each device when the user logs in to the multifunction device 1A in the above system will be described. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of each device when a user logs in to the multifunction peripheral 1A in the system shown in FIG. Each device operates in the same manner when a user logs in to the multifunction machine 1B.

  When the operation panel 21 of the multifunction peripheral 1A detects a user name (user ID) and password input operation by the user (step S1), the control unit 33 sends the user name and password to the network communication unit 32 and the network interface 23. Use to transmit to the user manager server device 3 (step S2).

  In the user manager server device 3, the user authentication processing unit 62 receives the user name and password using the network communication unit 61 and the network interface 42, and sends the user name, password, and authentication request to a predetermined protocol (LDAP LDAP). Etc.) to the directory server device 4 (step S3).

  In the directory server device 4, the directory service processing unit 82 uses the network communication unit 81 and the network interface 72 to receive the user name, password, and authentication request using a predetermined protocol, and refers to the directory database 91. It is determined whether or not the user name and password are those of a valid user (step S4).

  Then, the directory service processing unit 82 uses the network communication unit 81 and the network interface 72 to display the determination result (that is, the authentication result) and the user information of the user when the authentication is successful. As a response, it transmits to the user manager server apparatus 3 (step S5).

  In the user manager server device 3, the user authentication processing unit 62 uses the network communication unit 61 and the network interface 42 to receive the authentication result as a response to the authentication request. Receive information. When the authentication is successful, the authorization processing unit 63 refers to the authorization policy data 51, specifies the authorization information of the user (that is, the authorization policy applied to the user) (step S6), and the network Using the communication unit 61 and the network interface 42, a response indicating successful authentication is transmitted to the multi function device 1A together with the authorization information and user information (step S7). The authorization information includes transmission filter information for the logged-in user.

  In the MFP 1A, the control unit 33 receives the authorization information and user information using the network communication unit 32 and the network interface 23, and provides the authorization information to the determination unit 34 (step S8). Based on the authorization information, the determination unit 34 sets, on the RAM, data indicating whether or not the use of the user is permitted for each of the predetermined functions of the multifunction peripheral 1A. At this time, the transmission filter information in the authorization information is also held on the RAM.

  Thereafter, the user is permitted to use the multifunction device 1A in a state where the function is restricted according to the authorization information (step S9). In the MFP 1A, the control unit 33 refers to the above-described data set by the determination unit 34 and accepts and executes only jobs that use functions permitted for the user. When executing the transmission job, the control unit 33 refers to the transmission filter information on the RAM, and transmits a facsimile or e-mail with the set value (transmission destination or the like) input on the operation panel 21 by the login user. Determine whether it is okay. When it is determined that the facsimile or electronic mail may be transmitted with the set value (transmission destination or the like), the control unit 33 transmits the facsimile or electronic mail with the transmission job. If not, the control unit 33 prohibits transmission of a facsimile or electronic mail and causes the operation panel 21 to display an error message.

  When user authentication fails, only a response indicating authentication failure is transmitted from the user manager server apparatus 3 to the multifunction device 1A. When the multifunction device 1A receives a response indicating authentication failure, the message indicating authentication failure is transmitted. Is displayed on the operation panel 21 and the use of the multifunction device 1A by the user is prohibited.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the user manager server device 3 receives the authorization information about the login user who has succeeded in the user authentication and the transmission filter information applied to the login user as the image forming device ( To the MFP 1A or MFP 1B). The multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B receive authorization information and transmission filter information about the logged-in user, and when transmitting a facsimile or email in a transmission job by the logged-in user, the MFPs 1A and 1B send a facsimile or email based on the transmission filter information. Restrict.

  As a result, while the authorization information for each user is centrally managed by the user manager server device 3, the facsimile or e-mail to be transmitted in a transmission job such as facsimile transmission or e-mail transmission (ScanToEmail or BoxToEmail) by the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B. On the other hand, transmission can be permitted or prohibited under detailed conditions according to the contents (such as a destination).

Embodiment 2. FIG.

  In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, an ID card (in this case, an IC card) assigned to the user is used instead of the user inputting the user name into the multifunction peripheral 1A at the time of login.

  In the second embodiment, an IC card reader is connected to the multifunction device 1A, and when an ID card is brought close to the IC card reader, the control unit 33 uses the IC card reader to change the ID card from the ID card to the ID card. The ID is read and transmitted to the user manager server apparatus 3 together with the password entered in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  In Embodiment 2, the storage device 41 of the user manager server device 3 stores in advance conversion data for associating the card ID of the ID card with the user ID of the user assigned the ID card, and the user authentication processing unit 62 receives the card ID and password, refers to the conversion data, identifies the user ID corresponding to the card ID, and performs user authentication in the directory server device 4 based on the identified user ID and the received password. .

  Note that the other configurations and operations of the devices in the system according to the second embodiment are the same as those in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Here, an IC card is used as the ID card, but a card (magnetic card or the like) having a recording medium of another method may be used. In that case, a reader capable of reading the card ID from the card of the system is used instead of the IC card reader. Furthermore, instead of the ID card, biometric information such as a fingerprint may be used. In that case, a reader capable of acquiring the biological information from the user is used instead of the IC card reader, and a feature amount obtained from the biological information is used as the ID.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the storage device 41 of the user manager server device 3 includes the conversion data including the correspondence between the card ID of the ID card and the user ID of the user to whom the ID card is assigned. The user authentication processing unit 62 receives the card ID and password of the ID card from the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B, specifies the user ID of the login user from the received card ID according to the conversion data, and User authentication is performed using the user ID.

  Thereby, since the card ID of the ID card is managed in the user manager server device 3, it is not necessary to manage the card ID in the directory service, and the login system using the ID card in the system where the directory service is already operating. Can be easily added.

  Each embodiment described above is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, local users and domain users are mixed and included in the local group, but there may be a local group including only local users or a local group including only domain users.

  In each of the above embodiments, the user manager server device 3 is connected to another network different from the network 2 without being connected to the network 2, and is connected to the directory server device 4 in the other network and the network 2. The user manager server device 3 and the directory server device 4 may perform data communication via another network.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the multifunction peripherals 1A and 1B are used as the image forming apparatus, but a printer, a copier, or the like may be used instead. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the system has three image forming apparatuses, but it is also possible to use one, two, or four or more image forming apparatuses.

  In each of the above embodiments, the authorization information may include an access authority level to the multifunction device. For example, either an administrator or a general user is set as the access authority level. In the case of an administrator, functions that cannot be used by general users, such as maintenance, can be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, the transmission filter information of each user is stored in the user manager server device 3 separately from the authorization information, and when the authorization information about the login user is transmitted, The transmission filter information may be transmitted together.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, a network system having a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

1A, 1B MFP (an example of an image forming apparatus)
1C printer (an example of an image forming apparatus)
2 Network 3 User Manager Server Device 4 Directory Server Device 23, 42 Network Interface 33 Control Unit 41 Storage Device 62 User Authentication Processing Unit 63 Authorization Processing Unit

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus connected to the network;
A user manager server device that is connected to the network and provides authorization information for identifying the functions permitted to be used by a login user of the image forming device to the image forming device;
A directory server device that provides directory service and has domain group and domain user registration information;
The user manager server device, (a) the domain Apart local user registration information from the user, before SL domain users and / or registration information of the local group that contains the local user, and the domain group, the local group When there are a plurality of authorization policies that should be applied to the login user, and there are a plurality of authorization policies that can be set separately for the domain user and the local user, the setting items that conflict in the plurality of authorization policies Applies one selected according to a predetermined rule, combines the plurality of the authorization policies to generate one authorization policy, and combines the plurality of the authorization policies to generate the image formation Authorizations applied to users logged into the device Identify broadcast, and sends the identified said authorization information to the image forming apparatus transmits the transmission filter information which is applied to the log-in user has succeeded in (b) User authentication on the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus (c) receives the authorization information, and specifies a function for prohibiting or permitting use by a user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus based on the received authorization information, and (d) Receiving the transmission filter information for the logged-in user and restricting the transmission of the facsimile or email based on the transmission filter information when transmitting a facsimile or email in a transmission job by the logged-in user;
An image forming system. In the user manager server device that provides the image forming apparatus with authorization information that identifies the functions permitted to be used by the login user,
A network interface connected to the network;
A user authentication processing unit for authenticating a login user of an image forming apparatus connected to the network using the network interface;
(A) storing local user registration information separately from the domain user of the directory service provided by the directory server device, and registration information of the local user including the domain user and / or the local user; An authorization policy that can be set separately for the domain group of the directory service, the local group, the domain user, and the local user is stored, and (c) facsimile or e-mail transmission in a transmission job by the image forming apparatus. A storage device having transmission filter information indicating a restriction condition for each user and / or user group;
When there are a plurality of authorization policies to be applied to the logged-in user who is the domain user or the local user who have succeeded in user authentication, the setting items that conflict in the plurality of authorization policies are selected according to a predetermined rule. The authorization policy generated by combining the plurality of the authorization policies, and combining the plurality of the authorization policies to specify the authorization information for the login user. The transmission filter information for the logged-in user, which is the domain user or the local user, that transmits the specified authorization information to the image forming apparatus using the network interface and succeeds in user authentication. The network interface And authorization processing unit that transmits to the image forming apparatus using,
A user manager server device comprising:   3. The user manager server apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission filter information includes a black list or a white list for a facsimile number and / or an e-mail address as a transmission destination.   3. The user manager server apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission filter information includes a black list or a white list for a domain of an e-mail address as a transmission destination.

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