JP6036478B2 - Server and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a server that manages an image processing apparatus and a program that is executed by the server. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus to be managed or a user who uses the image processing apparatus, and relates to a server and a program for managing the use function of the image processing apparatus for each group.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for grouping image processing apparatuses and managing the use functions of the image processing apparatus for each group is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, printing devices are grouped, and restriction information for restricting the number of prints for each user is provided in each printing device in the group, and the restriction information is changed in a certain printing device in the group. In such a case, a technique for reflecting the change on other printing apparatuses in the group is disclosed.

JP 2008-143043 A

  However, the conventional techniques described above have the following problems. That is, there are a plurality of groups to be managed, and there is room for improvement in the operation when changing the group to which the image processing apparatus to be managed belongs. For example, when an administrator changes the group to which an image processing device belongs, if the image processing device is executing a job related to a function restricted by the change destination group, the group If it cannot be changed, it is inconvenient for the administrator. On the other hand, if the job being executed is canceled with priority given to the change of the belonging group, the user of the image processing apparatus becomes dissatisfied.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. That is, the problem is to provide a technique for improving the operation associated with the change of the group to which the image processing apparatus belongs for the image processing apparatus or a server that manages the users who use the image processing group. .

  In order to solve this problem, a server includes a group storage unit that stores a member and a group to which the member belongs in association with each other, a function of the image processing apparatus and restriction information on the function for each group. A limit storage unit that stores the association, a reception unit that receives a change instruction to change a member group of the member stored in the group storage unit, and a control unit, wherein the control unit includes the reception unit When a change instruction is received, if the change member that is the member to be changed is executing a restricted job that is a job related to a restricted function that is a function that is restricted in the group to which the change belongs, It is determined whether or not a specific condition regarding whether or not to execute the restricted job is satisfied. If the specific condition is satisfied, the execution of the restricted job is completed. Execute the completion change process to change the member group to which the change member belongs, and if the specific condition is not satisfied, instruct to stop the restricted job and change the member group to which the change member belongs It is characterized by executing change processing.

  The server disclosed in this specification accepts a change instruction for changing a member's group. When the change member that is the change target in the received change instruction is executing the restricted job, the control unit determines whether or not the restricted job can be continued based on the specific condition. That is, when the specific condition is satisfied, the completion change process is executed, and when the specific condition is not satisfied, the execution of the restricted job is instructed to stop and the non-completion change process is executed. Note that the members of the belonging group stored in the group storage unit include, for example, at least one of an image processing apparatus and a user who uses the image processing apparatus. Further, the affiliation group may be a group that is arbitrarily distributed by the administrator, or may be a group that is classified according to the affiliation of the user or the installation location of the image processing apparatus. For specific conditions, for example, device capability (for example, notification capability, transfer capability), user type (for example, authority level), and job type (for example, importance level, whether to speed up, prediction completion time) can be used. is there. In addition, the process for changing the affiliation group includes, for example, movement from the first affiliation group to the second affiliation group and deletion from the affiliation group.

  In other words, when the server disclosed in this specification receives an instruction to change the group to which it belongs, it waits for the completion of execution of the restricted job and then executes completion change processing for changing the group, or instructs the cancellation of the restricted job. A specific condition is provided for determining whether to execute incomplete change processing for changing a group. Therefore, there is a degree of freedom in the changing operation as compared with one that uniformly performs one of the processes. For example, a restricted job that satisfies a specific condition continues to be executed and is completed before the group change process, so the user is not dissatisfied. On the other hand, since a restricted job that does not satisfy the specific condition is instructed to stop execution, there is a high possibility that the execution will not be continued and the group change process may be performed early. Therefore, it is preferable for an administrative user. Thereby, the operation when changing the group to which the image processing apparatus to be managed or the user using the image processing apparatus changes is improved.

  Further, the change member is an image processing device, the group storage unit stores information on the group to which the image processing device belongs, and the control unit notifies the change member as a predetermined notification as the specific condition. It is determined whether or not there is a capability, and if the predetermined notification capability is not present, the completion change processing is executed, and if the predetermined notification capability is present, the change is notified and the non-completion change processing is executed. May be. If the change member has the notification capability, even if the group is changed without waiting for completion of the restricted job, the user's anxiety can be reduced by notifying the user of that fact. Therefore, it is desirable to complete the group change early by executing the incomplete change process. On the other hand, if there is no notification capability, changing the group without waiting for completion of the restricted job may cause user anxiety. Therefore, it is preferable to execute the completion change process. The predetermined notification capability includes, for example, a message display capability using a liquid crystal display capable of character notation and an email notification capability.

  In addition, the change member is an image processing device, the group storage unit stores information on the group to which the image processing device belongs, and the control unit sends the change member to another device as the specific condition. It is determined whether or not the restricted job can be transferred. If transfer is impossible, the completion change process is executed. If transfer is possible, the non-complete change process is executed after transferring the restricted job. Good. If the change member can transfer the restricted job to another device, the restricted job can be continued on the other device. Therefore, it is preferable to complete the group change at an early stage by executing the incomplete change process after transferring the restricted job. On the other hand, if the change member is not transferable, changing the group without waiting for completion of the restricted job may cause user anxiety. Therefore, it is preferable to execute the completion change process. Whether or not transfer is possible may be determined by determining whether or not there is a transfer destination in addition to whether or not the changing member has transfer capability.

  The change member is a user who uses the image processing apparatus, the group storage unit stores information on the group to which the user belongs, and the control unit specifies the change member as the specific condition. The completion change process may be executed when the specific authority exists, and the non-completion change process may be executed when there is no specific authority. If the change member is a user, the process associated with the change is switched according to the user's authority, giving priority to job completion for users with a high authority level, and changing the group for users with a low authority level. Can be prioritized.

  In addition, the control unit determines whether the restricted job being executed is a job having a predetermined attribute as the specific condition, and executes the completion change process in the case of the job having the predetermined attribute. , The non-completion change process may be executed for a job that does not have the predetermined attribute. As an attribute of the restricted job, for example, job importance is applicable. By switching the process according to the change according to the importance of the job, priority can be given to job completion for a job with high importance, and priority to change of a group for a job with low importance.

  In addition, the control unit determines whether it is possible to speed up the processing of the restricted job being executed as the specific condition, and executes the non-complete change process when the speed cannot be increased. If it is possible, the completion change process may be executed by speeding up the process of the restricted job being executed. If it is possible to speed up the processing of the restricted job, the restricted job can be completed early by increasing the speed. Therefore, if the completion change process is executed after speeding up the restricted job process, the administrator's stress is reduced. On the other hand, if the speed cannot be increased, the administrator may wait for completion of the restricted job for a long period of time. Therefore, it is preferable to execute non-complete change processing. As a method of speeding up the processing, for example, changing from the half-speed mode to the full-speed mode, turning off the silent mode, changing from high resolution to low resolution, changing from color to monochrome, available memory This corresponds to an increase.

  Further, the control unit determines, as the specific condition, whether it is possible to acquire the processing completion time of the restricted job being executed, and executes the completion change processing when the processing completion time can be acquired, The non-completion change process may be executed when the process completion time cannot be acquired. If the processing completion time of the restricted job cannot be acquired, the administrator does not know the completion time of the restricted job, which may increase stress. Therefore, it is preferable to execute non-complete change processing. Note that the processing completion time can be calculated based on, for example, the number of unprocessed pages and the processing time for one page.

  In addition, when the process completion time can be acquired, the control unit determines whether the process completion time is longer than the threshold time, and determines that the process completion time is longer than the threshold time. The non-completion change process may be executed without performing the completion change process. Even if the processing completion time of the restricted job can be acquired, the administrator may be stressed if it takes a long time to complete the processing. Therefore, it is preferable to execute non-complete change processing.

  Further, in the present specification, a group storage unit that stores a member and a group to which the member belongs is stored in association with each other, and a function of the image processing apparatus and restriction information on the function are stored in association with each group. A server that includes a restriction storage unit that performs and a reception unit that receives a change instruction for changing a group of members stored in the group storage unit. When the reception unit receives the change instruction, the member to be changed When a changed member is executing a restricted job that is a job related to a restricted function that is a function that is restricted in the group to which the user belongs after the change, the specific condition regarding whether or not the restricted job can be executed is satisfied. If the specified condition is satisfied, the group to which the change member belongs is waited for the execution of the restricted job. Execute the completion change process to be changed, and if the specific condition is not satisfied, instruct the cancellation of the restricted job and execute the procedure for executing the incomplete change process to change the group to which the change member belongs A program characterized by the above is disclosed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which improves the operation | movement accompanying the change of the group to which an image processing apparatus belongs is implement | achieved about the server which groups and manages the user who uses an image processing apparatus or an image processing apparatus.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the image processing system concerning embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a server. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of member information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of restriction | limiting information. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a group change process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of specific condition judgment processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an apparatus condition judgment process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a user condition judgment process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a job condition judgment process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an instruction | indication response process.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying an image processing system including a server according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a system that includes a server and a plurality of image processing apparatuses, which can communicate with each other.

[Configuration of image processing system]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a server 100, a PC 200, and a plurality of image processing apparatuses, which are connected to each other via the Internet 400 so as to communicate with each other. The image processing system 1 includes multifunction peripherals 11 to 17 as a plurality of image processing apparatuses. In the image processing system 1 of this embodiment, the plurality of image processing apparatuses are divided into three groups A to C as shown in FIG. Specifically, the multifunction machines 11 and 12 belong to the group A, the multifunction machines 13 to 15 belong to the group B, and the multifunction machines 16 and 17 belong to the group C. The image processing apparatus is not limited to a multifunction machine, and any apparatus having an image processing function may be used.

  In the image processing system 1 according to this embodiment, management of group organization such as determination, change, and deletion of groups to which each image processing apparatus belongs is performed by the server 100. Hereinafter, a user who has the authority to use the server 100 for group management is referred to as a management user. On the other hand, a user who submits a job for causing each image processing apparatus to execute image processing is a user. For example, the user designates the image processing apparatus from the PC 200 or directly operates the image processing apparatus to instruct execution of the job.

[Electrical configuration of server]
Next, the electrical configuration of the server 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 100 includes a main controller 30 including a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM) 34, and an ASIC 35. The server 100 also includes a network interface 37 and an operation panel 40, which are electrically connected to the main controller 30.

  The ROM 32 stores various control programs for controlling the server 100, various settings, initial values, and the like. The RAM 33 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read, or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. The NVRAM 34 has member information 51 for associating each group with a member belonging to the group as shown in FIG. 3, and functions of each multifunction device and restrictions on those functions in each group as shown in FIG. The limit information 52 which is information is stored. The contents of the member information 51 and the restriction information 52 will be described later.

  The CPU 31 controls each component of the server 100 while storing the processing result in the RAM 33 or the NVRAM 34 according to the control program read from the ROM 32. In addition, the CPU 31 manages the group to which the multifunction peripherals 11 to 17 belonging to the image processing system 1 belong. For example, the CPU 31 performs a process of changing the group to which each member belongs. The CPU 31 is an example of a control unit. The main controller 30 may be a control unit, and the ASIC 35 may be a control unit.

  The network interface 37 is connected to the Internet 400 (see FIG. 1). That is, the server 100 communicates with each image processing apparatus connected to the image processing system 1 via the network interface 37. The server 100 can also accept a change instruction to change the group to which each image processing apparatus to be managed is assigned via the network interface 37. In that case, the network interface 37 is an example of a reception unit.

  The operation panel 40 includes a liquid crystal display and a button group including a start key, a stop key, a numeric keypad, and the like, and receives an instruction input by a management user such as a change instruction. The operation panel 40 is an example of a reception unit.

[Member Information]
Next, member information 51, which is information for associating a member group to which a member belongs and a member belonging to the member group, will be described. The member information 51 is stored in the NVRAM 34 of the server 100. An example of the member information 51 is shown in FIG.

  The member information 51 is a table that stores the multifunction peripherals 11 to 17 belonging to the image processing system 1 in association with each belonging group. The member information 51 stores, for each group, identification codes of all members belonging to the group. The identification code of the multifunction machine is, for example, a name or number that indicates each device. The server 100 can determine the group to which each member belongs by referring to the member information 51. The NVRAM 34 that stores the member information 51 is an example of a group storage unit.

  The server 100 rewrites the member information 51 based on the change instruction. For example, when the server 100 accepts the addition of a new member as a change instruction, the server 100 registers the member in the designated group. On the other hand, when deletion of an existing member is accepted as a change instruction, the member is deleted from the specified group. When a change of an existing member's group is accepted as a change instruction, the member is registered in the change destination group and deleted from the change source group.

  “Registering” a member in a group means that the member identification code is added to the table associated with the group and stored in the member information 51. Also, “deleting” a member from the group is to cause the member information 51 to delete the member identification code from the table associated with the group.

[Restriction information]
Next, the restriction information 52, which is information for associating the belonging group with the function use restriction for each member of the belonging group, will be described. The restriction information 52 is stored in the NVRAM 34 of the server 100. An example of the restriction information 52 is shown in FIG.

  The restriction information 52 is a table that stores the function of the image processing apparatus and the restriction information of the function in association with each group. In the image processing system 1 of this embodiment, the functions of the image processing apparatus include copy, scan, FAX transmission, FAX reception, FAX timer transmission, received FAX printing, and PC printing functions. For each group, restriction information indicating whether usage is permitted for each function is set. In FIG. 4, functions that are permitted to be used are indicated by “◯”, and restricted functions that are restricted to use are indicated by “×”. The server 100 can determine whether or not the function is permitted to be used in each group with reference to the restriction information 52. The NVRAM 34 that stores the restriction information 52 is an example of a restriction storage unit.

  In the example of the restriction information 52 shown in FIG. 4, the multifunction devices 11 and 12 belonging to the group A are permitted to use the scan and PC print functions, but the other functions are restricted. Yes. Further, the multifunction devices 13 to 15 belonging to the group B are restricted to use only the PC print function, and are permitted to use other functions. The MFPs 16 and 17 belonging to the group C are permitted to copy and PC print, and use of other functions is restricted.

  The member information 51 may be information that associates a user who uses each MFP of the image processing system 1 with a group to which the user belongs. For example, it is good also as the member information 51 which divided and memorize | stored the user who uses the image processing system 1 in each affiliation group. The user identification code is, for example, a user name or user ID that distinguishes each user.

  Also in this case, the restriction information 52 is a table that stores the functions of the image processing apparatus and the restriction information of those functions in each group in association with each group. That is, the restriction information 52 is restriction information indicating whether or not each user of the group is permitted to use each function of the image processing apparatus. Depending on the group to which the user belongs, for example, the group is divided into a group that can use all functions of the image processing apparatus and a group that is permitted to use only copy, scan, and PC print functions.

[Group change processing]
Next, the procedure of group change processing, which is processing executed by the server 100 to change the member group, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This group change process is executed by the CPU 31 when the server 100 receives a change instruction. In the following description, a member to be changed by the group change process is a changed member.

  In the group change process, first, it is determined whether or not the change member is executing an image processing operation (S101). If the change member is a multifunction device, it is determined whether the multifunction device is executing an image processing operation. The user who instructed the execution does not matter. On the other hand, if the change member is a user, it is determined whether the user is using one of the multifunction devices. It doesn't matter what type of MFP you are using.

  When it is determined that the changing member is not executing the image processing operation (S101: No), a process of changing the group to which the member belongs is immediately executed (S102). That is, the server 100 rewrites the member information 51 of the NVRAM 34 and stores information in which the group to which the changed member belongs is changed. After S102, the group change process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the change member determines that the image processing operation is being executed (S101: Yes), it is determined whether the job being executed is using the restriction function (S103). As described above, each group has limited functions. Therefore, if the group is changed, the functions that are restricted are likely to be changed. There is a possibility that the functions allowed in the group before the change are restricted in the group after the change. In the following, a function that is permitted in the group belonging to before the change and whose use is restricted in the group belonging to the change is referred to as a restriction function. Furthermore, if the job being executed is a job that uses the restriction function, the job is designated as a restriction job. That is, in S103, it is determined whether the job being executed is a restricted job.

  If it is determined that the job being executed is not using the restriction function (S103: No), the server 100 immediately executes a process of changing the group to which the job belongs (S102). If the job being executed is not a restricted job, there is a high possibility that no problem will occur even if the group to which the change member belongs is changed during the operation of the job. After S102, the group change process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the job being executed is using the restriction function (S103: Yes), the server 100 executes specific condition determination processing (S104). If the group is changed during execution of a restricted job, the job may not be able to continue. This is because the use of the function is restricted in the changed group. For this reason, it is preferable to execute the process of changing the group after the execution of the job is appropriately terminated.

  The specific condition determination process is a process for appropriately terminating the restricted job being executed. In the specific condition determination process, the server 100 determines whether or not a job being executed satisfies a specific condition relating to whether or not job execution can be continued. If it is determined that the specific condition is satisfied, the restricted member continues to execute the restricted job. On the other hand, if it is determined that the specific condition is not satisfied, for example, the change member is instructed to stop the execution of the job halfway in order to speed up the end of the job. The processing content of the specific condition determination processing will be described later.

  When the specific condition determination process (S104) is completed, the server 100 waits for the end of the restricted job and executes a process for changing the group to which the server belongs. That is, it is determined whether or not the restricted job is being executed in the device that has been executing the restricted job (S105). If it is being executed (S105: Yes), the device that has been executing the restricted job is determined. Wait until the end of execution is confirmed. The termination here includes both an end of execution that completes all processing of the job and an end of execution that stops without executing the job to the end. Note that the server 100 can determine whether or not the multifunction device is operating by inquiring the multifunction device as appropriate. When the execution of the restricted job is completed (S105: No), a process for changing the group to which the user belongs is executed (S102). Details of processing in the apparatus will be described later.

  That is, in the specific condition determination process, if the specific condition is satisfied, the group to which the job belongs is changed after the execution of the restricted job is completed. In this case, the processes of S104, S105, and S102 correspond to the completion change process. On the other hand, if the specific condition is not satisfied, the execution of the restricted job is stopped halfway, and the group to which the job belongs is changed. In this case, the processes of S104, S105, and S102 correspond to the incomplete change process.

  In S <b> 104, the server 100 selects and executes either the completion change process or the non-completion change process depending on whether or not the specific condition is satisfied. Accordingly, there is a degree of freedom in the changing operation as compared with the one that uniformly performs one of the processes. As a result, it is possible to improve the operation associated with the change of the belonging group.

[Specific condition judgment processing]
Next, the specific condition determination process executed in S104 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is a process for determining whether or not the restricted job can be continuously executed based on whether the changed member that is executing the restricted job or the restricted job that is being executed satisfies a specific condition.

  The specific conditions include a plurality of types of conditions as will be described later. The management user selects one from a plurality of conditions and sets it in the server 100 in advance. The server 100 executes specific condition determination processing based on the set specific condition.

  When the execution of the specific condition determination process is started, the server 100 first determines whether or not a condition regarding the changed member is set as the specific condition (S201). For example, if the change member is a multi-function peripheral and the capability of the multi-function peripheral is set as a specific condition, it is determined that a condition related to the change member is set as the specific condition, so the answer is Yes in S201. Also, for example, if the change member is a user who uses the user's authority as a specific condition, it is determined that a condition regarding the change member is set as the specific condition. Become.

  If the condition regarding the changed member is set (S201: Yes), it is determined whether or not the changed member is a multifunction machine (S202). If the change member is a multi-function peripheral (S202: Yes), device condition determination processing is executed (S203). On the other hand, if the change member is a user (S202: No), user condition determination processing is executed (S204).

  Next, the procedure of the apparatus condition determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This is a process in the case where a condition based on the capability of the multifunction peripheral is used as the specific condition.

  When the apparatus condition determination process is started, it is first determined whether or not the notification capability of the multifunction peripheral is set as the specific condition (S301). If the specific condition is presence / absence of notification capability (S301: Yes), it is determined whether the change member has notification capability (S302). In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the changing member has a display member that can notify the situation to the user who is executing the job. For example, if the change member is a multifunction peripheral having an operation panel with a liquid crystal display, it is determined that the change member has a notification capability. In addition, for example, a multifunction device having a function of transmitting an e-mail having a content for notifying the user of the situation is determined to have a notification capability.

  If it is determined that the change member has the notification capability (S302: Yes), the server 100 notifies the change member that the execution of the job being executed is stopped using the notification capability. Notification and cancellation are instructed to cancel the job execution after the execution (S303). After S303, the device condition determination process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the changed member does not have the notification capability (S302: No), the server 100 ends the device condition determination process as it is. In other words, job execution continues.

  That is, if the specific condition is the presence / absence of the notification capability, if the change member does not have the notification capability, it is determined that the specific condition is satisfied, and the completion change process is executed. If the change member has the notification capability, it is determined that the specific condition is not satisfied, and non-complete change processing is executed. The incomplete change process in the case of Yes in S302 includes a notification to the change member and an instruction to cancel.

  When the specific condition is not the notification capability (S301: No), it is determined whether or not the transfer capability of the multifunction peripheral is set as the specific condition (S305). If the specific condition is the presence or absence of the transfer capability of the multifunction peripheral (S305: Yes), it is determined whether or not the changed member is transferable (S306). For example, if there is another device that is communicably connected to the change member and the job can be transferred from the change member to the multifunction device, it is determined that transfer is possible. That is, when the change member has a transfer function and there is a transfer destination device, it is determined that transfer is possible.

  If it is determined that the change member can be transferred (S306: Yes), the server 100 instructs the change member to transfer and delete the job being executed (S307). In other words, an instruction is given to transfer the job being executed to another device and then delete the job from the change member. After S307, the device condition determination process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the changed member cannot be transferred (S306: No), the server 100 ends the device condition determination process as it is. That is, the execution of the restricted job is continued as it is.

  That is, if the specific condition is the presence or absence of transfer capability, if the change member is not transferable, it is determined that the specific condition is satisfied, and the completion change process is executed. If the change member can be transferred, it is determined that the specific condition is not satisfied, and non-complete change processing is executed. The incomplete change process in the case of Yes in S306 includes instructions for transferring and deleting the restricted job to the change member.

  If the specific condition is neither the notification capability nor the transfer capability (S305: No), there is no other condition, and the apparatus condition determination process is terminated. That is, the execution of the restricted job is continued as it is.

  When the apparatus condition determination process is completed, the process returns to the specific condition determination process of FIG. 6 and ends the specific condition determination process. Then, the process returns to S105 in FIG. 5 and waits until it can be confirmed that the restricted member has finished executing the restricted job (S105). Specifically, it waits for the end of execution due to the completion of the restricted job, or the end of execution due to the change member receiving the instructions in S303 and S307 canceling the execution of the restricted job.

  Then, the server 100 confirms the end of execution of the restricted job in the changed member (S105: No), and executes the process of changing the group to which the server belongs (S102). The change member that has received the notification and cancellation instructions notifies the user of the cancellation of the job, and then cancels the execution of the job. Alternatively, the changing member that has received the job transfer and deletion instructions appropriately transfers and deletes the job. The operation of the change member device will be described later.

  Returning to the specific condition determination process of FIG. 6, when the condition regarding the change member is set as the specific condition of the specific condition determination process (S201: Yes) and the change member is not a multifunction peripheral (S202: No) ), The change member is the user. If the change member is a user, a user condition determination process is executed using the specific condition as the condition of the user (S204).

  Next, the user condition determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This is a process in the case where a condition according to user authority is set as the specific condition. When this processing is started, first, the server 100 acquires the authority level of the user who is the changing member (S401). Note that when each member stored in the member information 51 is a user, the server 100 stores in advance information obtained by digitizing the authority level for each member.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the acquired authority level is greater than a predetermined threshold (S402). If the authority level of the user being used is not greater than the threshold (S402: No), stop execution of the restricted job is instructed (S403), and the user condition determination process is terminated. In S403, the server 100 instructs the apparatus that is executing the restricted job to cancel the execution of the job. At the same time, it is recommended to notify the user who is a change member of job cancellation.

  On the other hand, if the authority level of the user in use is greater than the threshold (S402: Yes), the user condition determination process is terminated while continuing the execution of the restricted job.

  That is, if the specific condition is the user user's authority level, if the change member has an authority level exceeding the threshold, it is determined that the specific condition is satisfied, and the completion change process is executed. If the change member does not have an authority level exceeding the threshold, it is determined that the specific condition is not satisfied, and non-complete change processing is executed. The non-completion change process when the change member does not have an authority level exceeding the threshold includes an instruction to cancel job execution.

  When the user condition determination process ends, the process returns to the specific condition determination process of FIG. 6 and ends the specific condition determination process. Then, the process returns to S105 in FIG. 5 and waits for the end of execution of the restricted job being executed by the user who is the changing member (S105). Then, after confirming the completion of the execution of the apparatus that has executed the restricted job (S105: No), the process of changing the group to which the user belongs is executed (S102). Also, a device that receives an instruction to cancel job execution appropriately cancels the job. The operation of the apparatus will be described later.

  Returning to the specific condition determination process of FIG. 6, when the condition regarding the job is set as the specific condition of the specific condition determination process (S201: No), the job condition determination process is executed. (S205). Next, the procedure of job condition determination processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This is processing when a job condition is used as the specific condition.

  When the execution of the job condition determination process is started, it is first determined whether or not the specific condition is a job attribute (S501). For example, it is determined whether a condition of importance based on the type of job is set as the specific condition. Note that job attributes are conditions that can be determined based on job information added to a job, and are not limited to importance.

  If the specific condition is the importance level of the job (S501: Yes), it is determined whether the importance level of the restricted job is higher than a threshold value (S502). Jobs are assigned importance levels according to the type of function used. For example, since a PC print job can often be redone, the importance is low. In addition, for example, a FAX reception job is highly important because there is a high possibility that data will be lost if it is interrupted.

  If it is determined that the importance of the restricted job is higher than the threshold value (S502: Yes), the job condition judgment process is terminated while continuing the execution of the restricted job.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the importance of the restricted job is not higher than the threshold (S502: No), the server 100 instructs the multifunction peripheral that is executing the restricted job to cancel the restricted job (S503). After S503, the job condition determination process ends.

  That is, if the specific condition is the importance of the job, if the importance of the restricted job exceeds the threshold, it is determined that the specific condition is satisfied, and the completion change process is executed. If the degree of importance of the restricted job does not exceed the threshold value, it is determined that the specific condition is not satisfied, and incomplete change processing is executed. The non-completion change process when the importance of the restricted job does not exceed the threshold includes an instruction to cancel execution of the restricted job.

  If the specific condition is not a job attribute (S501: No), it is determined whether or not the possibility of speeding up the restricted job is set as the specific condition (S504). Job acceleration means that the subsequent processing speed is increased by changing the job execution conditions.

  For example, if printing at half speed is being executed to prevent noise, the speed can be increased by changing to full speed. Further, for example, if a reading process is being performed with a limited amount of memory used, the speed can be increased by increasing the amount of memory used. In addition, it is possible to increase the speed by switching the paper feeding unit so that the printing paper is fed from the paper feeding unit closer to the printing unit of the MFP than the paper feeding unit in use. In some cases, the speed can be increased by slightly reducing the image quality or changing the printing paper. For example, if the printing process is being executed, the speed can be increased by reducing the resolution and the number of colors. In this way, it may be determined that the speed can be increased even when the printing result is affected.

  If the specific condition is the possibility of speeding up the job (S504: Yes), it is determined whether the limited job being executed is a job that can be speeded up (S505). Whether the server 100 can execute the job at a higher speed than the current state based on the specifications of the MFP that executes the restricted job and the contents of the function used in the restricted job being executed. Can be judged. Alternatively, the server 100 may make an inquiry to the MFP that is executing the restricted job to determine whether or not high speed is possible.

  If it is determined that the restricted job is not capable of speeding up (S505: No), the execution of the restricted job is instructed (S503), and the job condition determining process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the restricted job can be accelerated (S505: Yes), the server 100 instructs the MFP that is executing the restricted job to speed up the restricted job (S506). The instruction for speeding up the restricted job may be an instruction including specific contents relating to how to change which function. In addition, whether or not to allow high speed that affects image quality may be determined and set in advance. After S506, the job condition determination process ends.

  That is, if the specific condition is whether or not the speed of the restricted job can be increased, it is determined that the specific condition is satisfied if the speed can be increased. Then, an instruction to speed up the processing of the restricted job is given, and the completion change process is executed. If speeding up is impossible, it is determined that the specific condition is not satisfied, and incomplete change processing is executed. The non-completion change process when speeding up is impossible includes an instruction to cancel execution of the restricted job.

  On the other hand, if the specific condition is not a possibility of speeding up (S504: No), it is determined whether or not a condition related to the completion time of the restricted job is set as the specific condition (S507). The condition relating to the completion time of the restricted job is, for example, a condition as to whether or not acquisition of the restricted job processing completion time is possible. The server 100 can make an inquiry to the MFP that is executing the restricted job and obtain an answer as to whether or not the process completion time can be acquired. For example, if the restricted job process is PC print or copy print, the process completion time can often be acquired based on the remaining number of prints. Alternatively, if the restricted job is FAX transmission, the processing completion time may be acquired based on the remaining transmission number. Further, when the restricted job is FAX reception or continuous scanning, there is a high possibility that the processing completion time cannot be acquired.

  If the specific condition is a completion time (S507: Yes), it is determined whether the completion time can be predicted (S508). If it is determined that the time required to complete the processing of the limited job being executed cannot be predicted (S508: No), the execution of the limited job is instructed (S503), and the job condition determination processing is terminated. This is because if the completion time of the restricted job cannot be predicted, it is not possible to know when the group change process can be completed, which may increase the stress on the management user.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the time required to complete the processing of the limited job being executed can be predicted (S508: Yes), it is determined whether the predicted time is longer than the threshold (S509). If it is determined that the predicted completion time is longer than the threshold (S509: Yes), the execution of the restricted job is instructed (S503), and the job condition determination process is terminated. That is, if the completion time can be predicted but it can be predicted that it will take a long time to complete, the execution of the restricted job is stopped. In this case, it is predicted that it will take a long time to complete the group change process, and there is a high possibility that the stress of the management user will increase.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the predicted completion time is not longer than the threshold (S509: No), the job condition determination process is terminated while continuing the execution of the restricted job. If the predicted completion time is not so long, it is predicted that it will not take a long time to complete the group change process. Therefore, even if the job processing is continued as it is, the possibility that the stress of the management user will increase is low.

  However, it is not necessary to compare the completion time with the threshold value. That is, the determination in S509 may not be performed. In this case, if the completion time can be acquired, the job condition determination process is terminated while continuing the execution of the restricted job. This is because if the completion time can be predicted, there is a high possibility that even if the completion time is somewhat long, the user can wait without much anxiety.

  That is, if the specific condition is whether or not the process completion time can be acquired, if the process completion time can be acquired, it is determined that the specific condition is satisfied, and the completion change process is executed. If the process completion time cannot be acquired, it is determined that the specific condition is not satisfied, and the non-completion change process is executed. The non-completion change process when the process completion time cannot be acquired includes an instruction to cancel execution of the restricted job. Even if the process completion time can be acquired, if the acquired process completion time is longer than the threshold time, the completion change process is not performed, and the non-completion change process including an instruction to cancel execution of the restricted job is performed. Even better.

  If the specific condition is not whether or not the completion time can be predicted (S507: No), stop execution of the restricted job is instructed (S503), and the job condition determination process is terminated.

  When the job condition determination process is completed, the process returns to the specific condition determination process of FIG. 6 and ends the specific condition determination process. Then, the process returns to S105 in FIG. 5 and waits for the end of execution of the restricted job (S105). Then, after confirming the completion of the execution of the apparatus that has executed the restricted job (S105: No), the process of changing the group to which the user belongs is executed (S102). Also, a device that receives an instruction to cancel job execution appropriately cancels the job.

[Instruction handling process]
Next, an instruction response process executed in the multifunction peripheral that is executing the restricted job when the group change process is executed in the server 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This processing is executed by the multifunction peripheral when receiving an instruction signal from the server 100 during execution of the job. For example, when one of S303 and S307 in FIG. 7, S403 in FIG. 8, S503 and S506 in FIG. 9 is executed in the server 100, the multifunction machine that is executing the restricted job at that time is instructed from the server 100. When the signal is received, execution of the instruction response process is started.

  When the instruction handling process is started, the multi-function peripheral determines whether the received instruction is a job notification and cancellation instruction (S601). The notification and stop instruction are transmitted from the server 100 in S303 of FIG. 7, for example.

  If it is determined that the received instruction is a notification and cancellation instruction (S601: Yes), a notification to notify the user of cancellation of the restricted job is made (S602). For example, the job display is notified to the display member of the own machine. Alternatively, an e-mail for notifying the cancellation of the job is transmitted to the PC of the user who transmitted the job. Further, the job execution is stopped (S603), and the instruction handling process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the received instruction is not a notification and cancellation instruction (S601: No), it is determined whether or not the instruction is a job execution cancellation instruction (S604). The execution stop instruction is transmitted from the server 100 in, for example, S403 in FIG. 8 or S503 in FIG.

  If it is determined that the received instruction is an instruction to cancel job execution (S604: Yes), it is determined whether or not the setting of the own apparatus is a setting for forced cancellation (S605). Some multifunction peripherals can be set to automatically forcibly cancel a job when the server 100 receives a job cancel instruction during job execution or to ask the user whether to cancel the job. .

  If the setting is forcibly cancel (S605: Yes), the job execution is stopped (S603), and the instruction handling process is terminated. In the case of having a configuration for notification, a display for notifying the user of job cancellation may be performed in the same manner as the processing when the notification and the instruction for cancellation are received.

  On the other hand, if it is not set to forcibly cancel (S605: No), a display for inquiring the user whether to cancel the job is displayed (S606). For example, an inquiry is displayed on the display member of the own machine. Alternatively, an e-mail for inquiring whether the job can be canceled is transmitted to the PC of the user who transmitted the job.

  Then, it is determined whether or not an input for accepting the cancellation is received (S607). If an input for accepting the cancellation is received (S607: Yes), the execution of the job is canceled (S603). After S603, the instruction response process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an input indicating that the cancellation is not accepted is received (S607: No), the instruction response process is terminated while continuing the job execution. If no response is obtained after a specified time has elapsed since the start of the inquiry, it may be considered as accepted.

  In addition, when a cancel instruction is received from the server 100 (S604: Yes), it may be determined whether or not to forcibly cancel and inquiry to the user is not performed. That is, in FIG. 10, the steps of S605, S606, and S607 may be eliminated, and if “Yes” in S604, the process may advance to S602.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the instruction received from the server 100 is not an instruction to cancel job execution (S604: No), it is determined whether or not the received instruction is a transfer and deletion instruction (S608). The transfer and deletion instructions are transmitted from the server 100 in S307 of FIG. 7, for example.

  If it is determined that the received instruction is a transfer and deletion instruction (S608: Yes), a process of transferring and deleting the job being executed is performed (S609). In other words, the job is transferred to the specified transfer destination, and if the job transfer is successful, the job being executed is deleted. After S609, the instruction response process is terminated.

  If it is determined that the instruction received from the server 100 is not a transfer and deletion instruction (S608: No), it is determined whether or not the received instruction is a speed-up instruction (S610). For example, the speed-up instruction is transmitted from the server 100 in S506 of FIG.

  If it is determined that the instruction for speeding up is received (S610: Yes), the instructed speeding up process is executed (S611), and the instruction handling process is terminated. Specific processing contents for speeding up may be instructed from the server 100 or may be stored in advance in the apparatus.

  If it is determined that the received instruction is not a speed-up instruction (S610: No), the instructed process is executed (S612), and the instruction response process is terminated. Note that a multifunction machine that is executing a restricted job does not execute the instruction handling process unless it receives an instruction from the server. In other words, the MFP continues to execute the job being executed while it has not received an instruction from the server.

  This processing is executed by the multifunction device based on an instruction transmitted from the server 100 to the multifunction device that is executing the restricted job while the server 100 is executing the group change process. By executing this instruction response processing, the multifunction peripheral performs execution cancellation (S603), transfer and deletion (S609), speedup (S611), and the like for the restricted job. In either case, the execution can be completed in a shorter time than when the job execution is continued as it is. In other words, since the execution of the restricted job is completed in a short time, the group change process can be completed early.

  As described above in detail, the server 100 accepts the change of the group to which the image processing system 1 belongs. Based on the member information 51 and the restriction information 52 stored in the NVRAM 34, the server 100 determines whether or not a restricted job is being executed for the accepted change. If the restricted job is being executed, it is determined whether or not a specific condition is satisfied. If the specific conditions are satisfied, the group is changed after completion of execution of the restricted job, so there is no dissatisfaction for the user. If the specific condition is not satisfied, the execution of the restricted job is instructed without waiting for the completion of the execution. Accordingly, since the execution of the restricted job is canceled as early as possible, the group change process can be started early for the administrative user. That is, the process suitable for the user and the process suitable for the management user can be switched depending on whether or not the specific condition is satisfied. Therefore, a technique for improving the operation associated with the change of the belonging group is realized for the server 100 that manages the image processing apparatuses in groups.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the number of groups and the number and type of members belonging to each group are examples, and can be applied to various image processing systems.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of conditions are specified as specific conditions. However, it is not essential to have all of these conditions. It suffices to have at least one specific condition. Moreover, you may further have specific conditions other than the above-mentioned thing. The management user is not limited to one specific condition set in advance, but may be selected and set each time a group change instruction is issued. Alternatively, the management user may select a plurality of specific conditions, and if any one of them is satisfied, it may be determined that the specific conditions are satisfied.

  Further, for example, the types of functions of the image processing apparatus are not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment. There may be at least two types, and there may be more types than the seven types shown in FIG. However, it is preferable that the restriction information includes a function that can be used in all image processing apparatuses belonging to the system.

  Further, for example, the trigger for the group change process includes not only the change of the group to which the member belongs, but also the deletion of the member from the belonging group. When deleting a member from an affiliated group, all the functions are restricted in the group after the change, and the processing may be performed in the same manner as described above.

  The processing disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, a plurality of CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Further, the processing disclosed in the embodiment can be realized in various modes such as a recording medium or a method recording a program for executing the processing.

31 CPU
34 NVRAM
37 Network interface 40 Operation panel 51 Member information 52 Restriction information 100 Server

Claims (9)

A group storage unit for storing a member and a group to which the member belongs in association with each other;
A restriction storage unit that stores the function of the image processing apparatus and the restriction information of the function in association with each group,
A receiving unit for receiving a change instruction to change a member group of the member stored in the group storage unit;
A control unit;
With
The controller is
When the accepting unit accepts the change instruction, a change member that is a member to be changed executes a restricted job that is a job related to a restricted function that is a function that is restricted in the group to which the change belongs. If the specified condition is satisfied, whether or not the specific condition related to whether or not the restricted job can continue
When the specific condition is satisfied, a completion change process for changing the group to which the change member belongs is executed after completion of the execution of the restricted job. When the specific condition is not satisfied, the restricted job is executed. To instruct the cancellation of the change member and execute the incomplete change process to change the group to which the change member belongs,
A server characterized by that. In the server according to claim 1,
The change member is an image processing device,
The group storage unit stores information on the group to which the image processing apparatus belongs,
The controller is
As the specific condition, it is determined whether or not the change member has a predetermined notification capability. If the predetermined notification capability is not present, the completion change process is executed. Notify the change and execute the incomplete change process,
A server characterized by that. In the server according to claim 1,
The change member is an image processing device,
The group storage unit stores information on the group to which the image processing apparatus belongs,
The controller is
As the specific condition, the change member determines whether or not the restricted job can be transferred to another device. If transfer is impossible, the completion change process is executed. If transfer is possible, the restricted job is transferred. The non-complete change process is executed after
A server characterized by that. In the server according to claim 1,
The change member is a user who uses the image processing apparatus,
The group storage unit stores information on the group to which the user belongs,
The controller is
As the specific condition, it is determined whether or not the change member has a specific authority, the completion change process is executed when the specific authority is present, and the non-completion change process is performed when the specific authority is not present. ,
A server characterized by that. In the server according to claim 1,
The controller is
As the specific condition, it is determined whether or not the restricted job being executed is a job having a predetermined attribute. If the job has the predetermined attribute, the completion change process is executed, and the predetermined attribute has the predetermined attribute. Execute the incomplete change processing for a job that does not
A server characterized by that. In the server according to claim 1,
The controller is
As the specific condition, it is determined whether or not the processing of the restricted job being executed can be accelerated. The non-completion change processing is executed when the acceleration is impossible, and the execution is executed when the acceleration is possible. Execute the completion change process by accelerating the processing of restricted jobs
A server characterized by that. In the server according to claim 1,
The controller is
As the specific condition, it is determined whether or not it is possible to acquire the process completion time of the restricted job being executed. If the process completion time can be acquired, the completion change process is executed and the process completion time cannot be acquired. Execute the incomplete change process when possible,
A server characterized by that. In the server according to claim 7,
The controller is
When the process completion time can be acquired, it is determined whether or not the process completion time is longer than the threshold time. When it is determined that the process completion time is longer than the threshold time, the completion change process is not performed. , Execute the incomplete change process,
A server characterized by that. A group storage unit for storing a member and a group to which the member belongs in association with each other;
A restriction storage unit that stores the function of the image processing apparatus and the restriction information of the function in association with each group,
A receiving unit for receiving a change instruction to change a member group of the member stored in the group storage unit;
For servers with
When the accepting unit accepts the change instruction, a change member that is a member to be changed executes a restricted job that is a job related to a restricted function that is a function that is restricted in the group to which the change belongs. If the specified condition is satisfied, whether or not the specific condition related to whether or not the restricted job can continue
When the specific condition is satisfied, a completion change process for changing the group to which the change member belongs is executed after completion of the execution of the restricted job. When the specific condition is not satisfied, the restricted job is executed. To instruct the cancellation of the change member and execute the incomplete change process to change the group to which the change member belongs,
A program characterized by causing a procedure to be executed.

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