JP5839829B2 - MFP, MFP system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction device that controls processing of an accepted job based on authentication information, an authentication device connected to the multifunction device, and a multifunction device system including the multifunction device and the authentication device.

  In recent years, even when using a multifunction device, authentication information is acquired from the user for the purpose of limiting users, and the authentication information is registered by inquiring the authentication information management device (user authentication server) about the acquired authentication information. If so, there is already an authentication system that responds to the multifunction peripheral with successful authentication and enables the multifunction peripheral.

  As conventional techniques of such an authentication system, for example, there are Patent Documents 1 and 2. Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming system that counts the number of image formations for each department to which a user belongs. According to this, for example, when a copy process is executed, an input of a user ID is accepted, and the accepted user ID is transmitted to the department management server, so that the department ID of the department to which the user belongs is inquired. To do. The department management server that has received the user ID searches for the department ID based on the received user ID, and returns a department ID if the corresponding department ID exists and copying is permitted. The image forming apparatus that has received the department ID executes copy processing, counts the number of copies, and registers the number of copies in association with the department ID. The same applies to the print processing.

  As a technique for managing the number of copies and the number of prints by department ID, there is a technique in which a user inputs a department ID before performing copy processing or print processing. However, in such a method, the user needs to store the department ID, and there is a risk that the user will be accounted for in the wrong department due to an incorrect storage of the department ID. On the other hand, by using the technique described in Patent Document 1, the number of copies and prints performed by the user can be counted in the department to which the user belongs and is aggregated for each department without bothering the user. it can.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 describes that one user holds a plurality of IC cards belonging to different departments.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-271317 (published on October 6, 2005) JP 2010-086205 A (published on April 15, 2010)

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 does not assume a usage in which a single user performs a copy or print process of a plurality of departments on behalf of a user. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of copies and prints performed on behalf of the agency cannot be counted in each department that requested the processing.

  As a specific example, general affairs departments such as companies are assigned general affairs personnel who perform copy and print processing in response to requests from departments other than the general affairs department. When the person in charge of general affairs performs processing requested by a department other than the general affairs department, the number of copies and the number of prints are counted for each department of the request source.

  The technique of Patent Document 1 does not assume substitution for such processing. Therefore, in order to count the number of substitution processing for each division of the request source, the general affairs person in charge stores the division ID. , It is necessary to input a department ID before processing.

  In addition, using the technology of Patent Document 2, the general affairs staff holds a plurality of IC cards each belonging to each department as a request source, and performs the processing on behalf of the request source department. It may be possible to authenticate using an IC card that belongs to the department.

  However, if a person in charge of general affairs holds and manages a plurality of IC cards, the user is forced to perform complicated work. Also, having a plurality of cards with a high security level such as an IC card imposes a burden on the staff in charge and is not preferable in terms of security.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and controls received job processing suitable for a user who is requested by a plurality of departments to perform job processing using a multi-function peripheral based on authentication information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunction device, an authentication device connected to the multifunction device, and a multifunction device system.

  In order to solve the above problems, the MFP according to the present invention has a plurality of pieces of group information associated with one piece of user information, and a user who receives the user information that generated the job when executing the job. Information reception means, group information acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of group information associated with the user information received by the user information reception means, and a group selection screen is displayed based on the acquired plurality of group information Group information selection means for selecting one group information from a plurality of group information, and job management means for managing the executed job in association with the group information selected by the group information selection means. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the above configuration, first, the user information accepting unit accepts the user information that generated the job when executing the job. The user who generated the job is, for example, the user who performs the copy if the job is a copy job, or the user who has transmitted the print job if the job is a print job.

  Next, the group information acquisition unit acquires a plurality of group information associated with the received user information. In the present invention, a plurality of group information is associated with one user information.

  The group information selection means displays a group selection screen based on the acquired plurality of group information, and selects one group information from the plurality of group information. The job management means manages the executed job in association with the selected group information.

  As a result, a user who is requested by another group for a job to be performed using the multifunction device associates his / her user information with group information as a request source in addition to the group to which the user belongs. Thus, when the job is executed, the requesting group can be easily burdened as a job of the requesting group by simply selecting the requesting group.

  Compared to the operation of inputting the group name that burdens the processing, the ID assigned to the group name, etc., one by one from the operation input unit or the like, such an operation simply by selecting a group on the group selection screen. The operability is remarkably good and the convenience of the multifunction device is improved.

  In addition, the operation simply by selecting a group on the group selection screen is complicated for the user as in the case of creating an IC card in which a group acting as a job belongs to and using a plurality of IC cards. It is preferable from the viewpoint of security without forcing work and feeling the burden of managing a plurality of IC cards.

  The multi-function device according to the present invention further includes an availability determination unit that determines whether the job can be executed based on the user information received by the user information reception unit, and the group information acquisition unit includes: The group information associated with the user information determined to be executable by the availability determining unit can be obtained.

  As a result, the users who use the multifunction device can be limited to only those users who are determined to be executable by the availability determination means, so that the users of the multifunction device can be limited within the range of users who have been permitted in advance.

  The MFP according to the present invention further includes a communication unit capable of communicating with an external authentication device via a communication network, and the availability determination unit is received by the user information reception unit using the communication unit. The user information may be transmitted to an external authentication device to determine whether or not the job can be executed, and based on the determination result transmitted from the authentication device, whether or not the job can be executed is determined.

  According to this, since the authentication device is used outside, the price of the multifunction device can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which the multifunction device itself has an authentication function. In addition, the authentication apparatus can be shared with a plurality of multifunction peripherals, and user information can be centrally managed, so that information management becomes easy.

  When an external authentication device is used, a plurality of group information associated with the user information is transmitted from the authentication device when the job can be executed. More preferably, the communication unit is used to obtain a plurality of group information from the authentication device.

  By managing the user information as well as the group information on the authentication device side, information management becomes easier.

  When an external authentication device is used, the user information receiving unit receives a plurality of group information associated with the user information together with the user information, and the group information acquiring unit is configured to receive the user information receiving unit. It is good also as a structure which acquires group information more.

  According to the above configuration, the user information receiving unit also acquires a plurality of group information associated with the user information, and the group information acquiring unit acquires the group information from the user information receiving unit. Therefore, since the authentication device only determines whether or not the job can be executed based on the user information, the authentication device used conventionally can be used as it is.

  The multifunction device according to the present invention further includes an occupation permission unit that permits use of the multifunction device only to a user associated with only one group information permitted in the user information. Compares the acquired plurality of group information with the only group information permitted to be used by the exclusive permission means, and if the acquired plurality of group information includes the only group information The job management means may manage the executed job in association with the only group information without displaying the selection screen.

  According to the above configuration, when the group that can use the MFP is determined by the occupation permission unit, the group information selection unit does not display the group selection screen, and the job management unit is designated as the occupation destination. Manage execution jobs as group jobs.

  As a result, for example, every time a user in charge of general affairs performs a job such as printing or copying on a multifunction machine that is occupied by the “general affairs department” to which the user belongs, the group selection screen is displayed and selected. You don't have to be bothered by it and you don't have to feel bothered.

  In the MFP according to the present invention, attribute information relating to job conditions for determining whether or not to execute a job is further set in association with group information, and the group information acquisition unit is associated with user information. The attribute information set in each group information is also acquired together with the plurality of group information, and the group information selecting means acquires the plurality of group information acquired and the attribute information set in the group information and the job condition of the job to be executed. The group information that can be selected is narrowed down based on the above, and one group information can be selected from the narrowed-down group information.

  According to this, attribute information related to job conditions for determining whether or not to execute a job is set in association with group information. The attribute information includes, for example, a file format that permits job execution, a file format that prohibits job execution, color / monochrome color information, and information on the number of sheets that can be processed in one job.

  The group information acquisition means also acquires such attribute information set in each group information together with a plurality of group information attached to the user. Then, the group information selection unit narrows down selectable group information based on the acquired plurality of group information, the attribute information set in the group information, and the job condition of the job to be executed. Then, one group information is selected from the narrowed group information. That is, according to this, groups (group information) that can be selected as a burden group are narrowed down by job conditions to be executed.

  Therefore, it is possible to restrict an action in which a user to whom a plurality of group information is assigned selects and bears a group that should not bear the job.

  The authentication apparatus according to the present invention stores information related to whether or not a job can be executed in a multifunction device in association with user information, and receives information inquiring whether or not a job including user information can be executed from the multifunction device. In the authentication device that determines whether or not execution is possible and returns, a storage unit that can store a plurality of pieces of group information in association with user information, and when it is determined that job execution is possible, It is characterized by comprising group information transmitting means for transmitting a plurality of group information associated with each other to the inquiring multifunction device.

  According to the above configuration, a plurality of group information is stored in association with the user information, and when the group information transmission unit determines that the job can be executed, the plurality of group information associated with the user information is stored. Since the group information is transmitted to the inquiring MFP, the MFP system can be configured in combination with the MFP in the present invention.

  The MFP system of the present invention is configured by the MFP of the present invention and the authentication apparatus of the present invention. Further, the MFP of the present invention relates to whether or not jobs can be executed in the MFP in association with user information. It is configured to include an authentication device that stores information and determines whether or not the job can be executed and returns it when receiving information inquiring whether or not the job including the user information can be executed from the multifunction peripheral.

  The program of the present invention is based on the step of receiving the user information that generated the job in the computer, the step of acquiring a plurality of group information associated with the received user information, and the acquired plurality of group information A group selection screen is displayed, and a step of selecting one group information from a plurality of group information and a step of managing an executed job in association with the selected group information are executed.

  According to the present invention, a group to easily load a job by simply selecting a group on a group selection screen suitable for a user who is requested to perform job processing using a multi-function peripheral from a plurality of groups. Can be managed in association with each other, and the convenience of the multifunction peripheral is improved.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral in the multifunction peripheral system according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the said multifunction machine system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of print job data between a user terminal and a print server in the multifunction machine system. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a department selection screen displayed by a department information selection unit of a multifunction machine in the multifunction machine system. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a job management table included in a multifunction peripheral in the multifunction peripheral system. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the authentication server in the said multifunction machine system. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the authentication table with which the authentication server in the said multifunction machine system is provided. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the user information management table with which the authentication server in the said multifunction machine system is provided. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction device executes a print job in the multifunction device system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction peripheral executes a copy job in the multifunction peripheral system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction device executes a FAX transmission job in the multifunction device system. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral in a multifunction peripheral system according to a second embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the authentication server in the said multifunction machine system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction device executes a print job in the multifunction device system. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral in a multifunction peripheral system according to Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the authentication server in the said multifunction machine system. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the own machine use permission department management table with which the multifunction machine in the said multifunction machine system is provided. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the multifunction machine use permission department management table with which the authentication server in the said multifunction machine system is provided. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction device executes a print job in the multifunction device system. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral in a multifunction peripheral system according to a fourth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the authentication server in the said multifunction machine system. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the user information management table with which the authentication server in the said multifunction machine system is provided. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a job management table included in a multifunction peripheral in the multifunction peripheral system. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction device executes a print job in the multifunction device system. FIG. 25 is a subroutine flowchart showing a print job execution process executed in S30 in the flowchart of FIG. 24. FIG. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the department selection screen which the department information selection part of the multifunction machine in the said multifunction machine system displays.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the multifunction machine system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numerals 100a, 100b, and 100c denote multifunction peripherals having at least a copy function and a print function. In the present embodiment, the multifunction peripherals also have a FAX function.

  In the copy function, an image is formed on a sheet such as paper or an OHP film based on image data obtained by reading an image of a document with a scanner. In the print function, an image is formed on a sheet based on a print job transmitted from the outside. In the FAX function, image data obtained by reading an image of a document with a scanner is transmitted to a specified destination via a telephone line network N3, and a telephone line is set based on a FAX transmission job transmitted from the outside. The image data is transmitted to the designated destination via the network N3. Further, image formation is performed on paper based on image data received via the telephone line network N3.

  Hereinafter, in the present specification, a process of forming an image on a sheet based on image data obtained by reading an image of a document with a scanner is referred to as a copy job, and is expressed as an image forming process by receiving a copy job. Similarly, the process of faxing image data obtained by reading an image of a document with a scanner to a designated destination is also called a fax transmission job, and is not distinguished from a fax transmission job sent from the outside. And fax transmission processing.

  In this embodiment, as a job to be counted and counted for each department, it may be executed on behalf, and a copy job, a print job, and a telephone line network N3 that perform charging based on the counting result are used. The FAX transmission job will be described as an example.

  An administrator terminal 400 for managers and user terminals 500, 500,..., 500 for users are connected to the multifunction peripherals 100a, 100b, and 100c via a communication network N1. The MFPs 100a, 100b, and 100c are connected to a FAX device (not shown), a MFP having a FAX function, and the like via a telephone line network N3.

  Specifically, the administrator terminal 400 and the user terminal 500 are personal computers. The administrator terminal 400 and the user terminal 500 are preinstalled with driver programs (printer driver, FAX driver) for using the multifunction peripherals 100a, 100b, and 100c via the communication network N1. A print job and a FAX transmission job are created by the driver program, and are transmitted to the MFP 100a (or MFP 100b) via the communication network N1, thereby executing print processing and FAX transmission processing in the MFPs 100a, 100b, and 100c. it can.

  An authentication server (authentication apparatus) 200 and a print server 600 are connected to the communication network N1. The authentication server 200 is a server that manages information on users who share the communication network N1, and authenticates user information transmitted from the administrator terminal 400, the user terminal 500, or the multifunction peripherals 100a, 100b, and 100c. .

  The print server 600 is a print server 600 for performing authentication pull printing. As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 500 (may be the administrator terminal 400) transmits print job data including a user ID to the print server 600 (S50). The printer server 600 receives and stores the transmitted print job data (S51). Thereafter, when the user inputs a user ID to the multifunction device using an IC card or the like, the user ID is authenticated, and when the multifunction device 100a requests transmission of print job data, the multifunction device 100a prints. The job data is transmitted (see S21 and S22 in FIG. 9 described later). Note that the print server 600 may determine the MFP 100 that executes the print job based on various conditions.

  Furthermore, the communication network N1 is connected to a wider communication network N2, so that information can be exchanged with a terminal (not shown) on a communication network laid in another department via the communication network N2. It has become. A tally server 300 is connected to the communication network N2, and tally the number of printed sheets for each department and each user for the multifunction peripherals 100a, 100b, 100c and the like.

  Details of each device in the image forming system will be described below. First, the internal configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100a will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100a includes a processing control unit 101, a communication IF (communication unit) 102, a job analysis unit 103, an image data processing unit 104, an image forming unit 105, a scanner unit 106, a user ID inquiry unit ( Permission determination unit, group information acquisition unit 107, information reading unit (user information reception unit) 108, operation display unit 109, department information selection unit (group information acquisition unit, group information selection unit) 110, job management unit (job management) Means) 111, job management table 112, FAX transmission unit 113, and data return unit 114.

  The multifunction peripheral 100a executes image forming processing based on a print job received through the communication IF 102 under the control of the processing control unit 101, and executes image forming processing based on image data of a copy job input through the scanner unit 106. To do. Also, the multifunction peripheral 100a executes a FAX transmission process based on a FAX transmission job received through the communication IF 102 under the control of the processing control unit 101, and performs a FAX based on the image data of the FAX transmission job input through the scanner unit 106. Execute the transmission process.

  The processing control unit 101 is configured by a CPU, and controls the print function and the FAX function in general by controlling the operations of the various hardware described above. The print function control performed by the processing control unit 101 includes image data developed from a print job received through the communication IF 102 and copy job image data acquired by the scanner unit 106 via the image data processing unit 104. For example, control to send to 105, control of the image forming unit 105 to form an image on a sheet, and the like.

  Control of the FAX transmission function performed by the processing control unit 101 includes image data developed from the FAX transmission job received through the communication IF 102 and image data of the FAX transmission job acquired by the scanner unit 106 via the image data processing unit 104. Examples include control for sending to the FAX transmission unit 113, control of the FAX transmission unit 113 for transmitting image data to a designated telephone number via the telephone line network N3, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the processing control unit 101 controls permission of copy and print image forming processing and FAX transmission processing depending on whether department information has been returned. When the image forming process of the copy job or the print job is permitted, the processing control unit 101 counts the number of copies and the number of prints that are the number of processed sheets when the image is actually formed, and the department information selection unit 110 The job management unit 111 is notified of the department information selected by the user and information on the number of copies processed (number of copies, number of prints).

  In addition, when the FAX transmission process is permitted, the process control unit 101 counts the transmission time required for FAX transmission, and the department information selected by the user in the department information selection unit 110 and the transmission time information To the job management unit 111.

  The communication IF 102 includes an interface compliant with the communication standard of the communication network N1, and print jobs, FAX transmission jobs, various data, and communication from the terminals, the authentication server 200, and the print server 600 connected to the communication network N1. While receiving various data and the like from the aggregation server 300 connected to the network N2, it transmits necessary data to these terminals or servers. The communication IF 102 controls such data transmission / reception.

  The job analysis unit 103 analyzes a print job and a FAX transmission job received through the communication IF 102, and develops image information described in a page description language into image data. The extracted user ID is sent to the user ID inquiry unit 107, and the developed image data is sent to the image data processing unit 104.

  The scanner unit 106 includes a light source for irradiating light to a reading document, an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), an AD converter (not shown), and the document set at a predetermined reading position. The image is formed on the image sensor and converted into an analog electric signal, and the obtained analog electric signal is converted into a digital signal by an AD converter. Then, digital image data is generated by correcting the light distribution characteristics of the light source at the time of document reading, sensitivity variations of the image sensor, and the like on the digital signal obtained by AD conversion. Image data generated by the scanner unit 106 is sent to the image data processing unit 104.

  The image data processing unit 104 has an image memory that temporarily stores image data sent from the job analysis unit 103 or the scanner unit 106, and performs various image processing. If it is a print job or a copy job, the image data processing unit 104 sends the stored image data to the image forming unit 105 at a timing instructed by the processing control unit 101. If the job is a FAX transmission job, the image data processing unit 104 sends the stored image data to the FAX transmission unit 113.

  The image forming unit 105, for example, a charger that charges the photosensitive drum to a predetermined potential, and emits a laser beam according to the image data input through the image data processing unit 104 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. Laser writing device to be generated, developing device for supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum to make it visible, transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum onto the sheet (Not shown), and an image designated by a print job or a copy job is formed on a sheet by an electrophotographic method.

  In this embodiment, the image forming unit 105 is configured to perform image formation by an electrophotographic method using a laser writing device. However, the image forming unit 105 includes a printer unit such as an ink jet method, a thermal transfer method, and a sublimation method. Of course, it is also possible.

  The FAX transmission unit 113 includes a network control unit to which a telephone line network N3 is connected and a modem (NCU: Network Control Unit) connected to the network control unit, and performs a predetermined call operation and reception operation. Communication is established with the other party's FAX machine or MFP, and the image data input through the image data processing unit 104 is compressed and transmitted.

  The operation display unit 109 is an operation display unit for receiving operation values from the user such as setting values relating to image forming processing such as the number of copies, the number of copies, and image forming density, and an instruction to start reading a document. The operation display unit 109 includes a touch panel in which a display unit and an input unit are integrated, in addition to hard keys such as a copy start key and a numeric keypad.

  The information reading unit 108 reads predetermined information from the IC card. In the present embodiment, user information (user ID) is given in advance to each user, and the user ID can be confirmed by reading the user ID from an IC card in which each user's user ID is recorded. I am doing so.

  When the MFP 100a accepts a processing request such as a copy job or FAX transmission job, the fact that an IC card is required is displayed on the display unit of the operation display unit 109, and the user ID is input to the user. I try to encourage them. The user ID read by the information reading unit 108 in this way is sent to the user ID inquiry unit 107.

  In the present embodiment, the user ID is read from the IC card. However, it is needless to say that the recording medium for carrying the user ID is not limited to the IC card. For example, a magnetic card may be used instead of the IC card, or a portable memory such as a USB memory may be used. Moreover, the structure which acquires user ID by communication by wireless communication, infrared communication, Bluetooth, etc. may be sufficient. In this case, a communication device such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a wireless tag can be cited as a recording medium that carries a user ID, and reception for receiving data transmitted from the communication device to the multifunction peripheral 100a side. Individual user IDs can be acquired by providing a machine. Furthermore, the configuration may be such that the user himself / herself directly inputs the user ID through the operation display unit 109 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100a. The user ID may be a fingerprint or a vein pattern, and the operation display unit 109 may be provided with a device that reads the fingerprint or the vein pattern.

  The user ID inquiry unit 107 transmits the user ID sent from the information reading unit 108 to the authentication server 200 through the communication IF 102 and collates it to obtain department information given to the user ID. The department information is notified from the authentication server 200 via the communication network N1 as an inquiry result. The user ID inquiry unit 107 also sends out a user ID to the department information selection unit 110.

  Upon receiving the inquiry result notified from the authentication server 200, the department information selection unit 110 determines whether or not job processing can be executed. When the department information selection unit 110 determines that execution is permitted, the department information selection unit 110 displays a department selection screen based on the returned department information. Then, the user is allowed to select the department information (burden department) that is the job processing request source.

  The department information is information representing a department (group) attached to the user ID corresponding to the user ID. In the present embodiment, for a single user ID, not only the department information of the department to which the user having the user ID belongs, but also a department that is different from the department and that performs the job on behalf of the user. Are associated with each other. In other words. A plurality of department information is associated with one user ID, and one department information can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of department information associated with the user himself / herself.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a department selection screen displayed by the department information selection unit 110 for allowing the user to select department information. Here, a screen example is shown in which three departments, that is, the first development department, the second development department, and the general affairs department are returned as department information. On this screen, you can select the department to be used for job processing such as “Please select the responsible department” along with the three touch keys of “First Development Department”, “Second Development Department”, and “General Affairs Department”. A prompt message appears.

  On this screen, for example, by touching “First Development Department”, the color of the touch key of “First Development Department” is changed and temporarily selected, and then touching the OK key allows job processing. The department that records the amount is confirmed as the “First Development Department”. By touching the cancel key, the temporarily selected department can be returned to the non-selected state and the department to be borne can be selected again.

  When the department in charge is selected (determined) on the department selection screen, the department information selection unit 110 transmits a signal for permitting job processing to the processing control unit 101, whereby the control unit executes job processing. Further, the department information selection unit 110 sends the department information of the selected responsible department to the job management unit 111. In the case of a print job, the department information selection unit 110 transmits a user ID to the print server 600 and requests the print server 600 to transmit print job data corresponding to the user ID when the responsible department is determined.

  On the other hand, the department information selection unit 110 does not allow job processing when department information is not returned from the authentication server 200, including when information indicating that user authentication has failed is transmitted. It is determined that If it is determined as not permitted, an authentication failure screen (not shown) indicating that fact is displayed on the touch panel of the operation display unit 109.

  The job management unit 111 manages jobs that are created and executed by the job management table 112. The job management unit 111 manages user ID, department information, copy number, print number, and communication time information for each job in association with a job ID for identifying the job. The job management unit 111 includes a count unit 111A, a temporary storage unit 111B, and a table creation unit 111C.

  The count unit 111A stores information on the number of copies, the number of prints, and the communication time required for FAX transmission counted by the processing control unit 101. The temporary storage unit 111B temporarily stores the department information, the user ID, and the like transmitted from the department information selection unit 110.

  The table creation unit 111C sends necessary information to the job management table after the job is completed. For example, in the case of a copy job, job management includes information on the number of copies stored in the count unit 111A, department information and user ID stored in the temporary storage unit 111B, and a job ID assigned to the job. The data is sent to the table 112 (see FIG. 5). In the case of a print job, information on the number of prints is sent instead of the number of copies. In the case of a FAX transmission job, information on communication time is sent instead of the number of copies.

  The job management table 112 stores user ID, department information, copy number, print number, and communication time information for each job in association with the job ID for identifying the job.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the job management table 112 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100a. In this example, the job management table 112 is given a 4-digit integer value as a job ID and user ID, and for each job ID, the user ID, department information, the number of copies, the number of prints, and the communication time are totalized. Yes.

  The job ID is an ID assigned to each job by the multifunction peripheral 100a. The user ID is a number unique to the user that is predetermined by an administrator or the like. The department information is information indicating a department assigned by the administrator or the like corresponding to the user ID, and is department information selected by the user on the department information selection screen.

  In FIG. 5, for example, for a job with “0001” as the job ID, the user with “0001” as the user ID makes two copies with the burden department as the “first development department”. It has been recorded that it has been implemented. For a job with “0004” as the job ID, the user with “0001” as the user ID sends a FAX transmission with a communication department of 15 seconds with the department in charge as the “general affairs department”. What has been done is recorded. In the figure, N / A represents not applicable.

  Further, the multi-function device 100a can transmit information on the number of copies, the number of prints, and the communication time counted in the job management table 112 according to a request from the counting server 300. When the data reply unit 114 accepts the request, the data reply unit 114 extracts corresponding information from the job management table 112 and sends it back to the tabulation server 300.

  The internal configurations of the multifunction peripherals 100b and 100c are the same as those of the multifunction peripheral 100a. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the two, it will be simply referred to as the multifunction device 100.

  Next, the internal configuration of the authentication server 200 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the authentication server 200.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the authentication server 200 includes a user information management table 201, a communication IF 202, a user information authentication unit 203, an authentication table 204, a department information acquisition unit 205, and a department information return unit 206.

  The authentication server 200 performs management of usable user IDs for each MFP (100a, 100b, 100c) and department information to which each user belongs.

  The communication IF 202 includes an interface that complies with the communication standard of the communication network N1, and includes a multifunction peripheral 100 connected to the communication network N1, a user terminal 500 and an administrator terminal 400, and an aggregation server connected to the communication network N2. It is configured to receive a request from 300 and transmit necessary data.

  In the authentication table 204, a device name, an available user ID that can use the multifunction device, and the like are registered in association with each other in the multifunction device ID of each multifunction device. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the authentication table 204 provided in the authentication server 200. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the device names of the MFPs having the MFP IDs “0001”, “0002”, and “0003” are “MFP1”, “MFP2”, and “MFP3”, respectively. . The user who can use “MFP1” is a user having user IDs “0001”, “0002”, “0003”, “1002”, “1500”.

  When the user information authentication unit 203 receives an inquiry from the multifunction device 100, the user information authentication unit 203 refers to the authentication table 204 using the received user ID as a key, and searches for an available user ID of the multifunction device that is the inquiry source. If the received user ID can be detected from the usable user ID, an instruction is sent to the department information acquisition unit 205 to acquire the department information together with the received user ID. On the other hand, if it cannot be detected, a message indicating that permission is not permitted is returned to the inquiring MFP 100 via the communication IF 202 (non-permitted reply).

  In the user information management table 201, the user name and the department information of the user ID are registered in association with each other for each user's user ID. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the user information management table 201 provided in the authentication server 200. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the names of users assigned “0001”, “0002”, and “0003” as user IDs are “XX Taro”, “ΔΔ Taro”, and “XX Hanako”, respectively. ".

  What should be noted here is that a plurality of pieces of department information are associated with one user ID. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the user ID “0001” is given three department information of “first development department”, “second development department”, and “general affairs department”, and the user ID “0001”. It is shown that the user “0002” is given two pieces of department information “product planning department” and “general affairs department”.

  The registered contents of the user information management table 201 and the authentication table 204 can be rewritten using the administrator terminal 400 connected via the communication network N1.

  When the department information acquisition unit 205 is instructed to acquire department information from the user information authentication unit 203, the department information acquisition unit 205 refers to the user information management table 201 using the received user ID as a key, and the department information given to the received user ID To get department information. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, if the received user ID is “0001”, three pieces of department information “first development department”, “second development department”, and “general affairs department” are acquired. .

  The department information acquisition unit 205 sends the acquired department information to the department information reply unit 206, and the department information reply unit 206 sends the department information back to the inquiring MFP 100 via the communication IF 202.

  In the present embodiment, since all user IDs included in the authentication table 204 are based on the premise that at least department information to which the user with the user ID belongs is registered, the department information acquisition unit 205 includes There is no particular mention of cases where information could not be obtained. However, if the department information cannot be acquired, the department information reply unit 206 may transmit empty data. The MFP 100 that has received the empty data does not include department information, and therefore displays an authentication failure screen.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the multifunction machine system 1 will be described with reference to flowcharts. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction peripheral 100 executes a print job instructed from the user terminal 500.

  The multi-function device 100 waits to acquire user information (S1), and when the user ID is acquired from the user through the information reading unit 108 (S2), the user ID inquiry unit 107 sends the user ID to the authentication server 200. Transmit (S3) and query the user ID.

  After being activated, the authentication server 200 is always in a standby state for receiving a user ID (S4), and when receiving the user ID transmitted from the multifunction device 100 (S5), the user information authenticating unit 203 reads the authentication table 204. Referring to this, it is determined whether or not the received user ID is included in the use permitted user ID of the multifunction peripheral 100 that has transmitted the user ID (S6). Next, the user information authentication unit 203 determines whether or not the received user ID is included, and authentication OK? Whether or not (S7).

  If the received user ID is included and the user information authentication unit 203 determines that the authentication is OK (S7: YES), the department information acquisition unit 205 refers to the user information management table 201 and receives the received user ID. Is acquired (S8), and the department information reply unit 206 transmits the acquired department information to the MFP 100 (S9). On the other hand, if the received user ID is not included and the user information authenticating unit 203 determines that the authentication is impossible (S7: NO), the user information authenticating unit 203 transmits a disapproval to the multi-function device 100 (S10).

  When the MFP 100 inquires of the user ID and receives a response from the authentication server 200 (S11), the MFP 100 determines whether the department information has been returned (S12). If it is determined that the department information has been returned (S12: YES), the department information selection unit 110 displays the department selection screen shown in FIG. 3 on the operation display unit 109 (S13), and the user selects the burdening department. Prompt.

  When the user selects a responsible department on the department selection screen, the department information selection unit 110 temporarily stores the selected department information in the job management unit 111 (S14), and then transmits the user ID to the printer server 600. Then, it requests transmission of print job data corresponding to the user ID (S15).

  The print server 600 is always in a print job reception standby state after being activated. When the print server 600 receives the print job transmitted from the user terminal 500, the print server 600 stores the print job and waits until the print job data transmission is requested. doing. When the user ID is received from the multifunction device 100 (S21), the print server 600 transmits the print job data corresponding to the user ID to the multifunction device 100 (S22).

  When the MFP 100 receives print job data from the print server 600 (S16), the job analysis unit 103 analyzes the print job data, and the processing control unit 101 controls the operation of the image forming unit 105 to generate a print job. This is executed (S17), and the number of prints is counted (S18). After completing the job processing, the processing control unit 101 passes the counted number of prints to the job management unit 111, and the job management unit 111 records the count value in the job management table 112 together with the department information (S19).

  Further, in S12, when a non-permission reply is received and it is determined that the department information has not been replied (S12: NO), an authentication failure screen indicating that the authentication has failed and job processing is not permitted is displayed on the operation display unit 109. (S20).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction peripheral 100 executes a copy job.

  The multi-function device 100 is on standby to acquire user information (S1), and the operation display unit 109 of the multi-function device 100 displays that it is necessary to input a user ID when executing a copy job. The difference from the flowchart of FIG. 9 is in S22 and S23, and the processes of S2 to S14, S19, and S20 are the same as S2 to S14, S19, and S20 of FIG. In step S <b> 22, the processing control unit 101 controls the operation of the image forming unit 105 and executes a copy job based on the image data generated by the scanner unit 106. In S23, the number of copies is counted, and in S19, the counted number of copies is recorded in the job management table 112.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction peripheral 100 executes a copy job.

  The multi-function device 100 is waiting to acquire user information (S1), and the operation display unit 109 of the multi-function device 100 displays that it is necessary to input a user ID when executing a FAX transmission job. . The difference from the flowchart of FIG. 9 is in S24 and S25, and the processes of S2 to S14, S19, and S20 are the same as S2 to S14, S19, and S20 of FIG. In S <b> 24, the processing control unit 101 controls the operation of the FAX transmission unit 113 and executes a FAX transmission job based on the image data generated by the scanner unit 106. In S25, the communication time required for FAX transmission is counted, and in S19, the counted communication time is recorded in the job management table 112.

  As described above, in the MFP system 1, when executing a job, a department selection screen is displayed, and a department that bears a job from a plurality of department information associated with the user is displayed. It is supposed to be selected.

  This makes it easy for the user to select the department name that bears the processing, the department ID assigned to the department name, etc., without having to input each job from the operation input unit etc. It is possible to specify a burden department with a simple operation, and to load the substituted job to the request source department as a job of the request source department.

  In addition, since there is no need to hold a plurality of IC cards according to the number of departments acting on behalf of the job, it is possible to force the user to perform complicated work or to feel the burden of managing each IC card. In addition, a configuration that is preferable in terms of security can be obtained.

  In the above example, the authentication table 204 and the user information management table 201 are configured separately, but the authentication table 204 and the user information management table 201 may be configured as one.

  In the above example, in the authentication table, an example of registering the usable user ID in association with the MFP ID is shown, but it is used in association with the function of the MFP (copy, printer, FAX transmission, etc.). The possible user ID may be registered.

  In the above example, the department information is directly managed by the authentication server 200. However, the department ID is managed, the department ID is sent to the multifunction peripheral 100, and the multifunction peripheral 100 replaces the department ID with the department information. The selection screen may be displayed.

  Further, in order to configure the multifunction machine system 1, the authentication server 200 is indispensable. However, the multifunction machine 100 itself may have the function of the authentication server 200. In other words, the MFP 100 itself may manage the user ID that can use the MFP 100 and the department information associated with the user ID.

[Embodiment 2]
Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those used in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the MFP system 1 according to the first embodiment, a plurality of department information assigned to one user ID is managed in the user information management table 201 of the authentication server 200. On the other hand, in the MFP system according to the present embodiment, a plurality of department information associated with the user ID is recorded together with the user ID on a recording medium for carrying the user ID, such as an IC card. .

  Therefore, in the MFP system according to the present embodiment, the authentication server 200-1 includes a communication IF 202, a user information authentication unit 203-1, and an authentication table 201 as shown in FIG. The department information acquisition unit 205 and the department information reply unit 206 are not provided.

  The difference between the user information authenticating unit 203-1 and the user information authenticating unit 203 in the first embodiment was that the received user ID was detected as being included in the usable user ID with reference to the authentication table. In this case, the fact that permission is permitted is returned to the inquiring multifunction device 100 via the communication IF 202 (permission reply).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the MFP 100-1 is different from the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment in the following points. That is, the information reading unit 108-1 acquires the department information together with the user ID from the IC card, and sends the department information to the department information selection unit 110-1. Then, when the department information selection unit 110-1 receives the permission reply from the authentication server 200-1, the department information selection unit 110-1 displays a department selection screen based on the department information sent from the information reading unit 108-1.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction peripheral 100-1 executes a print job instructed from the user terminal 500 in the multifunction peripheral system. The differences from the multifunction machine system 1 of the first embodiment are as follows. That is, instead of acquiring the user ID in S2 of FIG. 9, S31 is performed to acquire the user ID and department information. Further, instead of acquiring / replying the user's department information in S8 and S9 of FIG. 9, if YES is obtained in S7, S32 is executed, and a permission reply is performed. Further, S33 is performed instead of S12 of FIG. 9, and it is determined whether an authentication failure result screen is displayed or a department information selection screen is displayed based on whether or not a permission reply is received.

  The copy job and the FAX transmission job are the same as the differences between FIG. 9 and FIG. That is, in FIGS. 10 and 11, S31 of FIG. 14 is performed instead of acquisition of the user ID of S2, and the user ID and department information are acquired. Further, instead of acquiring / replying the user's department information in S8 and S9 of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, if YES is obtained in S7, S32 is executed and a permission reply is performed. Further, S33 is performed instead of S12 of FIGS. 10 and 11, and it is determined whether the authentication failure result screen is displayed or the department information selection screen is displayed based on whether the permission reply is received.

[Embodiment 3]
Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those used in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

  In the MFP system 1 according to the first embodiment, the user ID that permits use is set for each of the MFPs 100a, 100b, and 100c, but the use-permitted department is set for each of the MFPs 100a, 100b, and 100c. There wasn't. On the other hand, in the multifunction machine system of the present embodiment, a preferred example in the case where a use permitted department is set for each of the multifunction machines 100a, 100b, and 100c is shown.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a user whose user ID is “0001” is assigned three department information, “first development department”, “second development department”, and “general affairs department”. Among these, “General Affairs Department” is the original department, and “First Development Department” and “Second Development Department” are acquired to perform job processing by the above-mentioned agency. Is.

  Each time such a user performs a job such as printing or copying on a multifunction device (a multifunction device that can only be used by a user belonging to the general affairs department) occupied by the “general affairs department” that is the original affiliation, When the selection screen is displayed and the user is prompted to make a selection, the user feels bothered.

  In the multifunction machine system of the present embodiment, in order to eliminate such annoyance, as shown in FIG. 15, in the multifunction machine 100-2, a department information comparison unit 116 is provided in the department information selection unit 110-2. In addition, a self-use permission department management table (occupation permission means) 118 and a use permission department information inquiry section (occupation permission means) 117 are provided.

  When the department information is returned from the authentication server 200-2, the department information selection unit 110-2 uses this department information and the permitted use department set in the own apparatus stored in the own use permitted department management table 118. The department information comparison unit 116 compares the department information. Then, the department information selection unit 110-2 displays a department information selection screen and selects a burden department to the user when there is a part in the returned department information that matches the department information of the authorized department. The processing to be performed is skipped, and the section of the use permission section is set as the burden section.

  Note that the processing control unit (occupation permission unit) 101 refers to the own-use permitted department management table 118 when executing a job, and only when the department information of the user information matches the department information of the use-permitted department. Execute the job. If they do not match, do not execute the job.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the own-use permitted department management table 118. In this example, the own-use permitted department management table 118 indicates that “general affairs department” is designated as a use-permitted department in association with the MFP ID “0003” of the own apparatus. The contents of the self-usage-permitted department management table 118 are acquired when the use-permitted department information inquiry unit 117 accesses the authentication server 200-2 via the communication network N1.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in addition to the configuration of the authentication server 200 shown in the first embodiment, the authentication server 200-2 includes a multifunction peripheral use permission department management table 207 and a use permission department information acquisition unit (group information). (Transmission means) 208 and a use-permitted department information reply unit (group information transmission means) 209.

  In the multifunction peripheral use permission department management table 207, the permitted departments of each multifunction peripheral are registered in association with the multifunction peripheral ID together with the device name. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the multifunction peripheral use permission department management table 207. In this example, the MFP use permission department management table 207 indicates that the use permission departments of the MFP IDs “0001”, “0002”, “0003”, and “0004” are “first development department” and “second development department”, respectively. ”,“ Product Planning Department ”, and“ General Affairs Department ”. The setting contents of the MFP use permission department management table 207 are managed by the administrator terminal 400 shown in FIG. 2 via the communication network N1.

  When the usage-permitted department information acquisition unit 208 receives the inquiry about the usage-permitted department information from the multifunction peripheral 100-1, the multifunction peripheral 100-2 inquires about the relevant multifunction peripheral 100-2 by referring to the multifunction peripheral permitted department management table 207. Use permission department information associated with the machine ID is acquired, and the use permission department information reply unit 209 transmits the information to the multifunction peripheral 100-2 that has inquired.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction peripheral 100-2 executes a print job instructed from the user terminal 500 in the multifunction peripheral system. The differences from the multifunction machine system 1 of the first embodiment are as follows. That is, S41 and S42 are added between S12 and S13 of FIG. In S41, the returned department information is compared with information on the use-permitted department. In S42, it is determined whether there is department information that matches the information of the authorized department. When it does not agree in S42 (S42: NO), the process proceeds to S13, and the department selection screen is displayed. On the other hand, if they match (S42: YES), the matched department information is temporarily stored (S43), and the process proceeds to S15. In this multifunction peripheral system, if there is matching department information, the display of the department information selection screen and the process of accepting selection in S13 to S14 are skipped, and the job process is executed.

  The copy job and the FAX transmission job are the same as the differences between FIGS. That is, in FIGS. 10 and 11, S41 and S42 are added between S12 and S13. In S41, the returned department information is compared with information on the use-permitted department. In S42, it is determined whether there is department information that matches the information of the authorized department. When it does not agree in S42 (S42: NO), the process proceeds to S13, and the department selection screen is displayed. On the other hand, if they match (S42: YES), the matched department information is temporarily stored (S43), and the process proceeds to S15. In this multifunction peripheral system, if there is matching department information, the display of the department information selection screen and the process of accepting selection in S13 to S14 are skipped, and the job process is executed.

  In this way, in this multifunction peripheral system, every time a user in charge of general affairs performs a job such as printing or copying on the multifunction peripheral 100-2 occupied by the "general affairs department" that is the original affiliation, The department selection screen is not displayed and the user is not prompted to make a selection.

  Further, in order to configure the multifunction peripheral system, the authentication server 200-2 is essential, but the multifunction peripheral 100 itself may have the function of the authentication server 200-2. In other words, the MFP 100 itself may manage the user ID that can use the MFP 100, the department information associated with the user ID, and the MFP usage permission department management table 207.

[Embodiment 4]
Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those used in the first, second, and third embodiments are given the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

  In the multi-function device system 1 according to the first embodiment, the authentication server 200 includes the user information management table 201 and manages a plurality of department information for one user ID. On the other hand, in the MFP system according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the authentication server 200-3 includes a user information management table 201-3 instead of the user information management table 201. It also manages attribute information associated with. Attribute information is assigned to each department information associated with the user ID.

  FIG. 22 shows an example of the user information management table 201-3. In the example shown in FIG. 22, attributes 1 to 4 are managed as attribute information. “Attribute 1” is file format information of document data that can be printed. “Attribute 2” is information on the file format of document data prohibited from printing. “Attribute 3” is color information that is permitted to be executed in each print and copy job. “Attribute 4” is information on the number of sheets allowed to be executed per job in each print and copy job.

  For example, the user ID “0001” is assigned three department information of “first development department”, “second development department”, and “general affairs department”. "ALL" is assigned as "Attribute 1". In other words, the “first development department” indicates that the document data can be printed in any file format. On the other hand, “ppt, pdf” is assigned as “attribute 1” to the “second development department”. In other words, regarding the “second development department”, it is indicated that the document data can be printed when the file format is ppt (Power Pont (registered trademark)) or pdf. Further, “ezx” is given as “attribute 1” to the “general affairs department”. That is, regarding “General Affairs Department”, this indicates that printing is possible when the file format is “ezx”. Note that “ezx” is a fictitious file format indicating a file format permitted to be used only by the general affairs department.

  For the user with the user ID “0001”, the file format “ezx” is assigned as “attribute 2” for both the “first development department” and the “second development department”. This means that both the “first development department” and the “second development department” cannot print when the file format is “ezx”.

  As described above, only the specific department can print for the specific file format “ezx”, and the print prohibition is set for the other departments, so that all print jobs of the specific file “ezx” are burdened only by the specific department (number of sheets). Count).

  For the user with the user ID “0001”, “color / monochrome” is assigned as “attribute 3” in both the “first development department” and the “second development department”. This means that both the “first development department” and the “second development department” can print and copy in either color or monochrome. In addition, “monochrome” is assigned as “attribute 3” to the “general affairs department”. This means that the “general affairs department” is capable of monochrome only in both printing and copying.

  In addition, for the user with the user ID “0001”, “100000” is assigned as “attribute 4” to the “first development department”. This means that the “first development department” can execute up to 100,000 sheets for each print and copy job. On the other hand, “100” is assigned as “attribute 4” to the “second development department”. This means that the “second development department” can execute up to 100 sheets for each print and copy job.

  The authentication server 200-3 sends such attribute information to the multifunction peripheral 100-3 together with the department information. That is, when the department information acquisition unit 205-1 is instructed to acquire department information from the user information authentication unit 203, the department information acquisition unit 205-1 refers to the user information management table 201-1 using the received user ID as a key, and sets the received user ID. The assigned department information is searched to obtain department information. At this time, attribute information associated with the department information is also obtained.

  The department information acquisition unit 205-1 sends the acquired department information and attribute information to the department information reply unit 206-1, and the department information reply unit 206-1 transmits the department information and attribute information via the communication IF 202. Is returned to the inquiring MFP 100-3.

  FIG. 20 shows a configuration of a multifunction peripheral 100-3 of the multifunction peripheral system according to the present embodiment. The multifunction machine 100-3 includes a department information selection unit 110-3 and a job management table 112-1 instead of the department information selection unit 110 and the job management table 112 in the multifunction machine 100a of the first embodiment. .

  In the case of a copy job, the department information selection unit 110-3 acquires the copy condition input by the user on the operation display unit 109. The copy conditions to be acquired include at least color information indicating whether it is a color copy or a monochrome copy and information on the number of processed sheets in order to collate with attribute information transmitted from the authentication server 200-3.

  In the case of a copy job, the department information selection unit 110-3 narrows down the department information based on the acquired copy conditions and the attribute information transmitted from the authentication server 200-3. Then, the department information selection screen is displayed, and the responsible department is selected from the department information after narrowing down.

  In addition, in the case of a print job, the department information selection unit 110-3 acquires print conditions from the print server 600 together with job data. When the print job data is transmitted from the user terminal 500 to the print server 600, the file format, color information, and information on the number of processed sheets are attached to the data.

  When the department information selection unit 110-3 receives the job data from the print server 600, the department information selection unit 110-3 displays the attached file format, color information, and processing number information, and the attribute information transmitted from the authentication server 200-3. Collate and narrow down department information. Then, the department information selection screen is displayed, and the responsible department is selected from the department information after narrowing down.

  Furthermore, in the multi-function peripheral system according to the present embodiment, copy and print jobs can be managed separately in color and monochrome. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, the job management table 112-1 manages the number of copies and the number of prints separately for color and monochrome.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure when the multifunction peripheral 100-3 executes a print job instructed from the user terminal 500 in the multifunction peripheral system. The differences from the multifunction machine system 1 of the first embodiment are as follows. That is, in S8 'and S9', attribute information is acquired together with the user's department information and sent back to the multifunction peripheral 100-3. In S12 ', when department information and attribute information are acquired from the authentication server 200-3, the process proceeds to S15. Then, a print job of S30 shown in FIG. 25 is executed instead of S17.

  In the print job of S30, first, file format, color information, and information on the number of processed sheets are acquired from the print job data received in S16 of FIG. 24 (S30-1). Next, based on the acquired attribute information, S30-2 to S30-3 are performed, and in the example of attributes 1 to n, in the example of FIG. Narrow down information. Thereafter, a department selection screen is displayed based on the department information after narrowing down (S30-4). When department information is selected, it is held (S30-5), and printing (image formation) is executed (S30-). 6).

  FIG. 26A to FIG. 26C are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of a department selection screen displayed by the department information selection unit 110-3 for allowing the user to select department information. The user ID “0001” is assigned three department information, “first development department”, “second development department”, and “general affairs department”. Depending on the information and the information on the number of processed sheets, the department selection screen differs.

  FIG. 26A shows a department selection screen when the file format is “Tiff”. As shown in FIG. 22, “Tiff” cannot be handled in the “second development department” and the “general affairs department”. Therefore, the “second development department” and the “general affairs department” are grayed out, and only the “first development department” can be selected as the burden department. It is assumed that the “first development department” has cleared the conditions for color and the number of processed sheets.

  FIG. 26B shows a department selection screen when the file format is “ppt”. As shown in FIG. 22, “General Affairs Department” cannot handle “ppt”, but “First Development Department” and “Second Development Department”. Therefore, “General Affairs Department” is grayed out and can be selected from “First Development Department” and “First Development Department”. In this case as well, it is assumed that the “first development department” and “first development department” have cleared the conditions of color and the number of processed sheets.

  FIG. 26C shows a department selection screen when the file format is “ezx”. As shown in FIG. 22, the file format “ezx” can handle only the “general affairs department”. Therefore, the “first development department” and the “first development department” are grayed out, and only the “general affairs department” can be selected. In this case as well, it is assumed that the “General Affairs Department” has cleared the conditions for color and the number of processed sheets.

  As described above, in the MFP system according to the present embodiment, department information that can be selected as a burden department is narrowed down according to job conditions. Therefore, it is possible to restrict an action in which a user to whom a plurality of department information is assigned intentionally burdens a job to a department that should not be burdened. More specifically, since the range of selectable departments changes according to the job conditions, a user having a plurality of department information can limit the action of executing a job as a charge for other departments without limitation.

  In this example, print job and copy job conditions are exemplified as attribute conditions related to job conditions. However, an attribute condition may be added to a fax transmission job.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the job analysis unit 103 and the department information selection units 110, 110-1, 110-2, and 100-3 in the MFPs 100, 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 are used. , Data reply unit 114, image data processing unit 104, processing control unit 101, user ID inquiry unit 107, use permission department inquiry unit 117, job management unit 111, and authentication servers 200, 200-1, 200-2, 200-. 3 may be configured by hardware logic, or by software using a CPU as described below. It may be realized.

  That is, the above-described units in the multifunction peripherals 100, 100-1, 100-2, and 100-3 and the authentication servers 200, 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3 execute instructions of a control program that realizes each function. CPU (central processing unit), ROM (read only memory) storing the program, RAM (random access memory) expanding the program, storage device (recording medium) such as memory storing the program and various data, etc. It has. An object of the present invention is in the multifunction peripherals 100, 100-1, 100-2, 100-3 and the authentication servers 200, 200-1, 200-2, 200-3, which are software that realize the functions described above. Recording media on which program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program are recorded so as to be readable by a computer are recorded on the multifunction peripherals 100, 100-1, 100-2, 100-3 and the authentication server 200. , 200-1, 200-2, 200-3, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) constituting each of the above units can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium. .

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the MFPs 100, 100-1, 100-2, 100-3 and the authentication servers 200, 200-1, 200-2, 200-3 are configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code is assigned to the communication network. You may supply via. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 MFP system 100, 100-1, 100-2, 100-3 MFP 100a, 100b, 100c MFP 101 Processing control unit (occupation permission means)
102 Communication IF (communication unit)
103 Job Analysis Unit 104 Image Data Processing Unit 105 Image Forming Unit 106 Scanner Unit 107 User ID Reference Unit (Availability Determination Unit, Group Information Acquisition Unit)
108 180-1 Information reading unit (user information receiving means)
109 Operation display section 110, 110-1, 110-2 Department information selection section (group information acquisition means, group information
Information selection means)
111 Job management section (job management means)
112 Job management table 113 FAX transmission unit 114 Data return unit 116 Department information comparison unit 117 Permitted department information inquiry part (occupation permission means)
118 Self-usable department management table (occupation permission means)
200, 200-1, 200-2, 200-3 Authentication server (authentication device)
201 User information management table (storage means)
203, 203-1 User information authentication unit 204 Authentication table 205 Department information acquisition unit (group information transmission means)
206 Department information reply section (group information transmission means)
300 summary server 400 administrator terminal 500 user terminal N1 communication network N2 communication network N3 telephone line network

Claims (8)

Multiple group information is associated with one user information,
User information receiving means for receiving user information that generated the job when executing the job;
Group information acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of group information associated with the user information received by the user information reception means;
A group information selection means for displaying a group selection screen based on the acquired plurality of group information and for selecting one group information from the plurality of group information;
Job management means for managing the executed job in association with the group information selected by the group information selection means, and
An exclusive permission means for permitting the use of the multifunction device only to a user associated with only one group information permitted in the user information,
The group information selection unit compares the acquired plurality of group information with the only group information permitted to be used by the occupation permission unit, and the acquired group information includes the only group information. Does not display the group selection screen,
The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the job management means manages the executed job in association with the only group information . Based on the user information accepted by the user information accepting means, comprising an availability judging means for judging whether or not the job can be executed,
The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the group information acquisition unit acquires group information associated with user information determined to be executable by the availability determination unit. A communication unit capable of communicating with an external authentication device via a communication network,
The determination unit transmits the user information received by the user information reception unit to an external authentication device using the communication unit, determines whether the job can be executed, and the determination transmitted from the authentication device. The multifunction device according to claim 2, wherein whether or not the job can be executed is determined based on a result. When the job can be executed, a plurality of group information associated with the user information is transmitted from the authentication device,
The multifunction device according to claim 3, wherein the group information acquisition unit acquires a plurality of group information from the authentication device using the communication unit. The user information receiving means receives a plurality of group information associated with the user information together with the user information,
The multifunction device according to claim 3, wherein the group information acquisition unit acquires group information from the user information reception unit. The attribute information related to the job condition that determines whether or not the job can be executed is set in association with the group information.
The group information acquisition means also acquires attribute information set in each group information together with a plurality of group information associated with the user information,
The group information selection means narrows down the group information that can be selected based on the acquired group information, the attribute information set in the group information, and the job conditions of the job to be executed. MFP according to any one of claim 1 to 5, characterized in that to select one group information from within. Claims 3-5 , information relating to whether or not a job can be executed in the MFP is stored in association with user information, and information about whether or not a job including user information can be executed is inquired from the MFP. An MFP system comprising: an authentication device that, upon receiving, determines whether or not a job can be executed and returns a response. On the computer,
A user information receiving step for receiving the user information that generated the job;
A group information acquisition step of acquiring a plurality of group information associated with the received user information;
A group information selection step for displaying a group selection screen based on the acquired plurality of group information, and selecting one group information from the plurality of group information;
And job management step of managing in association with the executed group information job is selected, a program for executing, further,
Only the user associated with the only group information permitted in the user information is allowed to execute the exclusive permission step that permits the use of the multifunction device,
In the group information selection step, the acquired plurality of group information is compared with the only group information permitted to be used in the occupation permission step, and the only group information is included in the acquired plurality of group information. If it is included, the group selection screen is not displayed.
In the job management step, the executed job is managed in association with the only group information .

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