JP6187000B2 - Information processing system, control method and program thereof, and image processing apparatus, control method and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system capable of restricting a function that can be executed by a processing device when a specific function of the mobile terminal is operating according to an operating state of the mobile terminal, a control method thereof, and a program And an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a multifunction peripheral such as an MFP (Multifunction Printer) has various functions such as printing of document data created by a client PC, scanning of a paper document, and fax transmission. Multifunction devices are generally installed in offices and used by employees in the company.

  The multifunction machine is provided with a fax transmission function as described above. This function is a function capable of faxing a document to a specified destination. However, in recent years, there has been a problem of fax transmission to an incorrect destination. If a fax is sent to the wrong destination, the document that was supposed to be sent to the original destination is sent to another destination, leading to information leakage. If the document to be sent is confidential information, the damage to the company is significant.

  Such an erroneous transmission is often caused by an operation error, and this operation error is often caused by a user's lack of attention. For example, this is a case where the user transmits a fax while talking on the mobile terminal. In this case, the user performs two operations, a call and a fax transmission. In other words, if the user concentrates on the call, the fax transmission operation becomes appropriate, and the possibility of faxing the document to the wrong destination increases. Thus, when a user tries to perform two actions at the same time, there is a problem that the attention to one action is distracted.

  In particular, driving while making a phone call distracts and increases the probability of an accident. Therefore, in Patent Document 1 below, if an engine sound is detected while driving a car, the mobile terminal is rejected. The mechanism to do is disclosed.

JP 2006-109033 A

  As described in the above-mentioned patent document, by controlling the mobile terminal when the engine sound is detected, it becomes possible to prevent the car driving and the mobile terminal from being executed at the same time.

  Applying this, a mechanism that restricts the use of mobile terminals while using a multifunction device can be considered. However, when using a multi-function device, it may be desired to operate the multi-function device while using a portable terminal. For example, the destination of fax transmission is displayed on a portable terminal, and the destination is input to the multifunction peripheral while viewing the destination. If the use of a mobile device is restricted when using a multifunction device, the destination cannot be viewed in such a case, so the user looks at the mobile device before using the multifunction device, and the user selects the destination. There is a trouble of making a note on paper or printing a destination in advance.

  However, when the multifunction device is used while using the portable terminal, there is a problem that attention is reduced as described above. In particular, attention is likely to be distracted during a call, so we want to prevent fax transmissions during a call.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of limiting functions that can be executed by a processing device when a specific function of the mobile terminal is operating according to the operating state of the mobile terminal .

The information processing system according to the present invention can communicate with a mobile terminal including an operation state transmission unit that transmits operation information indicating an operation state of a specific function of the mobile terminal, which is updated according to an operation from the user, to the processing device. A processing device that stores a function for restricting execution according to the operation information of the portable terminal, an operation state receiving unit that receives the operation information transmitted from the portable terminal, and the operation state When it is determined that a specific function is in operation based on the operation information received by the receiving unit, a function execution limiting unit that limits execution of the function stored in the storage unit is provided.

According to the present invention, according to the operation state of a mobile terminal, when a specific function of the mobile terminal is in operation, the function that can be executed by the processing device can be limited .

It is a lineblock diagram showing an example of information processing system 10 in an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a client PC 100, an authentication server 200, and a smartphone 600. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine 300. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a module configuration of a client PC 100, an authentication server 200, a multifunction peripheral 300, and a smartphone 600. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the flow of a series of processes from authentication to login in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a function restriction dialog (during a call) 600, a fax transmission error dialog (during a call) 610, a fax transmission error dialog (due to lack of user authority) 620, and a destination confirmation screen 630. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the authentication table 500 and the call authority information 510. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an example of login information 800. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a series of processes which acquire the present state of a smart phone in 1st Embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a series of fax transmission processes according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the flow of a series of processes from authentication to login in 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the change location of the authority contained in the login information 800 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a series of processes which acquire the present state of a smart phone in 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a series of fax transmission processes according to the second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the flow of a series of processes from authentication to login in 3rd Embodiment. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an example of application authority information 1600. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the login information 800 in 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a function restriction dialog (using an application) 1800 and a fax transmission error dialog (using an application) 1810 according to the third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a series of processes which acquire the present state of a smart phone in 3rd Embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a series of fax transmission processes according to the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the MFP 300 acquires the current state of the smartphone 600 and manages a flag indicating whether or not a call is in progress. For example, when a user gives an instruction to send a fax, a flag indicating whether or not a call is in progress is referred to. If the flag indicates that a call is in progress, the fax transmission is restricted.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information processing system 10 according to the present invention. In an information processing system 10 according to the present invention, a client PC 100, an authentication server 200, a multifunction machine 300, and a smartphone 600 are connected to each other via a network 400 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) so as to be able to perform data communication with each other. The configuration of various terminals or servers connected on the network 400 in FIG. 1 is an example, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

  The client PC 100 is a device such as a personal computer. Document data and image data are generated based on an operation from the user. Then, the data is converted into print data described in a page description language that can be interpreted by the multifunction peripheral based on the document data and image data through a printer driver provided in the client PC 100 and transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 300.

  The authentication server 200 is a server that performs user authentication. The card number included in the IC card possessed by each user is acquired through the card reader 500 connected to the multi-function device 300, and based on the acquired card number, it is determined whether or not an appropriate user is going to use. It also manages authority for restricting the functions of the multifunction device 300. The authority is set for each user, and the user A stores the authority that permits color printing, but the user B does not permit color printing.

  The multifunction device 300 is a device that can execute a plurality of functions such as printing, scanning, and faxing. The multifunction device 300 is connected to the card reader 500 so as to be communicable. The multifunction device 300 can acquire the authority of the user who logs in from the authentication server 200 and restrict the functions that can be executed by the multifunction device 300 from being executed according to the authority. In the present embodiment, the mechanism for restricting various functions of the MFP 300 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to the MFP. For example, a personal computer (information processing apparatus) such as the client PC 100 or a mobile terminal such as the smartphone 600 may be used. In addition, any apparatus (processing apparatus) may be used as long as the apparatus can restrict the execution for each function.

  Smartphone 600 is a mobile terminal capable of voice calls. In addition to voice calls, e-mail creation and transmission, Web page browsing, and the like can be performed. In addition, a plurality of applications are installed in the smartphone 600, and in response to instructions from the user, the applications are activated to execute various functions.

  In addition, in this embodiment, although it is such a system structure, it is not restricted to this. For example, the client PC 100 may be a smartphone 600, or the multifunction device 300 may have the function of the authentication server 200.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the client PC 100, the authentication server 200, and the smartphone 600 according to each embodiment of the present invention.

  The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

  Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, and a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs are stored. The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201.

  The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

  An input controller (input C) 205 controls input from an input device 209 such as a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). The smartphone 600 is connected to a microphone used for voice calls, a touch panel integrated with the display 210, and the input controller 205.

  A video controller (VC) 206 controls display on a display device such as the display 210. The display device may be a CRT or a liquid crystal display.

  The memory controller (MC) 207 is an adapter to a hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD) or PCMCIA card slot for storing boot programs, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a card-type memory connected via the.

  A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible. The smartphone 600 is further connected to a telephone line for communication so as to be communicable.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the display 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. Further, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

  Various programs and the like used by the various apparatuses and servers of the present invention to execute various processes described later are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. is there. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used by the program according to the present invention are stored in the external memory 211 (storage means).

  Next, an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The controller unit 316 is connected to the scanner unit 314 that functions as an image input device and the printer unit 312 that functions as an image output device, and inputs and outputs image data and device information by connecting to a LAN or WAN.

  The CPU 301 is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 301, and is a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  The ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit 308, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308. The operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit information (for example, user information) input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301. Note that the operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by a user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to a network (LAN) and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  An external interface (external I / F) 318 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394 (Institut of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 1394), a printer port, an RS-232C (Recommended Standard 232) external input. The card reader 500 for reading an IC card, which is an F section and is necessary for authentication in this embodiment, is connected to the external I / F 318.

  Further, the CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 500 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  An image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F) 320 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts a data structure.

  The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus (Peripheral Components Interconnect bus) or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data into a bitmap image.

  A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner unit 314 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  The image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing and editing on input image data, printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 also rotates the image data, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) for multi-valued image data, and JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group) for binary image data. And so on.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner unit 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. Perform the action.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and includes paper cassettes corresponding to the paper feed stages.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen, and displays position information when a displayed key is pressed. This is transmitted to the CPU 301 via the operation unit I / F 307. The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  With the configuration described above, the printer 101 transmits image data read from the scanner unit 314 to the LAN from the network I / F 305 and prints print data received from the LAN from the printer unit 312 via the network I / F 305. Can be output.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner unit 314 can be faxed to the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312.

  Next, a functional configuration diagram showing module configurations of the client PC 100, the authentication server 200, the multifunction machine 300, and the smartphone 600 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the module configurations of the various terminals or servers in FIG. 4 are merely examples, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on applications and purposes.

  The client PC 100 includes a print data generation unit 150. The print data generation unit 150 can generate print data (job) based on data received from an application installed in the client PC 100, and can transmit the print data to the MFP 300 or the like.

  The authentication server 200 includes a multifunction device communication unit 250 and an authentication table management unit 251. The MFP communication unit 250 transmits and receives an authentication request sent from the MFP 300. The authentication table management unit 251 accesses an authentication table managed in the authentication server 200, and searches for user information associated with the card number requested for authentication. In addition, the authority when the smartphone 600 is busy is acquired and returned to the multifunction device as an authentication result.

  The MFP 300 includes a job receiving unit 350, a card reader control unit 351, an authentication unit 352, a display control unit 353, and an application unit 354 as main body control applications, and a smartphone communication unit 355 and an authentication server communication unit 356 as embedded applications. The login information management unit 357 is provided. The main body control application is an application originally provided in the multifunction machine 300. The embedded application is an application in which various functions can be added / changed in addition to the main body control application provided in the multifunction peripheral 300. That is, the main body control application is an application provided by the manufacturer that manufactured the multifunction peripheral 300, and the embedded application is an application that allows a user who uses or provides the multifunction peripheral 300 to embed necessary functions. is there.

  The job reception unit 350 receives the print data (job) transmitted from the print data generation unit 150 of the client PC 100 and outputs it to a paper document. The card reader control unit 351 acquires card information (manufacturing number) held over the card reader 500. Then, the acquired card information is passed to the authentication server communication unit 356. The authentication unit 352 permits the use of the multifunction machine (logs in) based on the authority received from the authentication server 200 when the overall authentication system is successfully controlled and authenticated. The display control unit 353 (display means) displays the function screen of the multifunction peripheral based on the user's authority after successful login. The application unit 354 shows application functions such as printing and faxing of the multifunction peripheral 300, and acquires and controls the authority of the user at an arbitrary timing of each application such as when the application is executed.

  The smartphone communication unit 355 makes an acquisition request for the current state to the smartphone of the logged-in / logged-in user. The authentication server communication unit 356 makes an authentication request by transmitting the card number acquired from the card reader control unit 351 to the authentication server 200. The login information management unit 357 manages the authority of the user acquired from the authentication server 200, and updates it appropriately.

  Next, a detailed description of the processing in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, an example of a series of processes from user authentication to login in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S100, the authentication unit 352 of the MFP 300 displays an IC card authentication screen (not shown). At this time, the card reader 500 is set in a state in which the IC card can be read, and an event including the card number included in the IC card is transmitted to the card reader control unit 351 when the IC card is held over the card reader 500. . The IC card holds a number (card number) that can uniquely identify the IC card. When an IC card is held over the card reader 500, this card number can be acquired.

  In step S <b> 101, the card reader control unit 351 of the multifunction machine 300 receives an event transmitted from the card reader 500. In step S102, the authentication unit 352 of the MFP 300 acquires the card number of the IC card from the event acquired in step S102. In step S103, the authentication server communication unit 356 of the MFP 300 transmits a user authentication request to the authentication server. At this time, the acquired card number is also transmitted.

  In step S104, the MFP communication unit 250 of the authentication server 200 receives the authentication request transmitted in step S103. In step S <b> 105, the authentication table management unit 251 of the authentication server 200 acquires the authentication table 700 managed in the authentication server 200.

  The authentication table 700 (see FIG. 7) is a table for performing user authentication. The authentication table 700 includes a card number 701, a user name 702, a smartphone host name 703, a copy function 704, a scan function 705, and a transmission function 706. The card number 701 is a card number included in the IC card. A user name 702 indicates the name of the user who owns the IC card. The smartphone host name 703 indicates the host name of the smartphone possessed by the user. The smartphone host name 703 may be an IP address or a MAC address. The copy function 704, the scan function 705, and the transmission function 706 are information indicating functions that can be used by the user with the multifunction device 300. For example, the authority of the transmission function 706 of the user whose user name 702 is “USER-001” is “permit” for e-mail transmission, fax transmission, and SMB transmission, and any function can be used. However, the transmission function 706 of the user whose user name 702 is “USER-002” is “not permitted” for e-mail transmission and fax transmission, and these two functions cannot be used. As described above, the functions that can be used in the MFP 300 are limited by authority for each user. In the present embodiment, the copy function 704, the scan function 705, and the transmission function 706 are functions that can be used by the multifunction peripheral 300, but other functions may be controlled by authority.

  In step S106, the authentication table management unit 251 of the authentication server 200 determines whether or not the card number acquired in step S104 is registered in the authentication table 700 acquired in step S105. If the card number is registered, the process proceeds to step S107. If the card number is not registered, the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S107, the authentication table management unit 251 of the authentication server 200 acquires a record (hereinafter referred to as user information) hit in step S106. On the other hand, in step S108, the authentication table management unit 251 of the authentication server 200 generates authentication NG result data because the card number has not been registered.

  Subsequent to step S107 in which the authentication has succeeded, in step S109, the authentication table management unit 251 of the authentication server 200 acquires the in-call authority information 710 managed in the authentication server 200.

  The in-call authority information 710 (see FIG. 7) indicates a function that is restricted when the user is making a call with the smartphone 600. The call authority information 710 includes a copy function 711, a scan function 712, and a transmission function 713, and is the same as the copy function 704, the scan function 705, and the transmission function 706 described above. If the right to be changed is set in the call right information 710 when the call is in progress, the function is limited by the right during the call. For example, the authority information 710 during a call shown in FIG. 7 is set so as not to permit the use of e-mail transmission and fax transmission of the transmission function 713 during a call.

  In step S110, the MFP communication unit 250 of the authentication server 200 transmits an authentication result to the MFP. When the authentication is successful, information indicating that the authentication is successful, the user information acquired in step S107, and the call authority information 710 acquired in step S109 are transmitted to the multi-function peripheral. When the authentication fails, the data generated in step S108 is transmitted to the multi function device 300.

  In step S111, the authentication server communication unit 356 of the MFP 300 receives the authentication result transmitted in step S110. In step S112, the authentication unit 352 of the MFP 300 determines the authentication result. If the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S114. If the authentication fails, the process proceeds to step S113.

  In step S113, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 displays an IC card authentication error screen (not shown) and ends the process.

  On the other hand, if the authentication is successful, in step S114, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 includes the authority information (copy function 704, scan function 705, transmission function 706) of the user included in the authentication result received in step S111. ) And authority information 710 during a call are compared. If the authority information of the user is stronger than the authority information 710 during a call (when many functions are available), the process proceeds to step S117. If the authority information of the user is weaker than the authority information 710 during a call, step S115 Proceed with the process.

  In step S115, the login information management unit 357 of the multifunction device 300 generates login information 800 for logging into the multifunction device using the authentication result received in step S111. The login information 800 (see FIG. 8) includes user information including authority information of the user, in-call authority information 710, and a call flag 801 of the user. Here, since the function that can be used does not change regardless of whether or not the user is in a call state, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 sets “2” in the call flag 801 (there is no functional difference depending on the call state). Is stored.

  The call flag 801 stores three types of flags in the present embodiment. When “0” is stored, it indicates that the phone 600 is not busy. When “1” is stored, it indicates that the smartphone 600 is in a call. When “2” is stored, it indicates that there is no difference in available functions regardless of whether or not a call is in progress. In the processing to be described later, the state of the call flag 801 is seen and the function is restricted.

  In step S116, the authentication unit 352 of the MFP 300 logs in to the MFP using the login information 800 generated in step S115. More specifically, the execution of the application unit 354 of the multifunction machine 300 is controlled using the authority information included in the login information 800. For those that do not allow the execution of the function, it may be possible not to display the function in a selectable manner, or to display an error when the function is executed.

  On the other hand, if the user authority information is stronger than the call authority information 710, in step S117, the smartphone communication unit 355 of the MFP 300 transmits a smartphone state acquisition request to the smartphone 600 of the user. The destination of the user's smartphone 600 is specified based on the smartphone host name 703 included in the user information in the authentication result received in step S111.

  In step S118, the MFP communication unit 250 of the smartphone 600 receives the status acquisition request for the smartphone 600 transmitted from the MFP. In step S119, the state acquisition unit 651 of the smartphone 600 acquires the state of whether the smartphone 600 is busy. More specifically, an application capable of accepting a status acquisition request from the multifunction device 300 is installed in the smartphone 600. When the application accepts a request from the multifunction device 300, whether or not the smartphone 600 is busy. Get state. It may be determined whether a call is in progress by inquiring the current state to an API (Application Programming Interface) provided in the smartphone 600, or may be determined based on whether a telephone application is activated. . The method for identifying whether or not a call is in progress is not limited to this.

  In step S120, the multifunction device communication unit 250 of the smartphone 600 transmits the state (usage state) of the smartphone acquired in step S119 to the multifunction device.

  In step S121, the smartphone communication unit 355 of the MFP 300 acquires the state of the smartphone transmitted in step S120. In step S122, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 generates the above-described login information 800 using the authentication result received in step S111 and the smartphone state result received in step S121. Here, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 stores “1” in the call flag 801 if the state of the smartphone received in step S121 is busy, and stores “0” if not busy. .

  In step S123, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 determines the state of the smartphone acquired in step S121. If the call is in progress, the process proceeds to step S124. If the call is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S126.

  In step S124, the display control unit 353 of the multifunction peripheral 300 notifies the function restriction dialog (during a call) 600 (see FIG. 6) notifying that some functions are restricted because the user is talking on the smartphone 600. Is displayed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S123 that the call is not in progress, the function is not restricted at the time of login, and this screen is not displayed.

  In step S125, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 determines whether the OK button provided in the function restriction dialog (during a call) 600 displayed in step S124 has been pressed. If the OK button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S126. If the OK button has not been pressed, the process waits as it is.

  In step S126, the authentication unit 352 of the multifunction device 300 temporarily stores the login information 800 generated in step S122 in the RAM 302 or the like of the multifunction device 300, and logs into the multifunction device 300. Then, based on the authority information of the user, a menu screen (not shown) in which a menu of functions that are not permitted to be used is hidden (or cannot be selected) is displayed. At this stage, a mechanism for hiding the menu of functions that are not permitted to be used by using the in-call authority information 710 included in the login information 800 can be considered, but in the present embodiment, these are kept displayed. That is, the execution instruction is accepted. For example, when the user during a call logs in, if the multifunction device 300 hides the menu of the function to be restricted based on the call right information 710, even if the call ends after the login, The menu cannot be selected. Therefore, the menu is not hidden even when logging in while making a call. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, when execution of a function is instructed, it is determined whether or not to limit the execution of the function depending on whether or not a call is in progress. This solves this problem.

  When the login is completed, in step S127, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 starts processing for tracking the state of the smartphone shown in steps S200 to S209 shown in FIG.

  Next, an example of processing for tracking the current state of the smartphone 600 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 200, the login information management unit 357 of the multifunction device 300 determines whether the user is logged in to the multifunction device 300. Whether or not the user is logged in is managed by the authentication unit 352, and this information is used. If logged in, the process proceeds to step S201, and if not logged in, the process ends.

  In step S <b> 201, the smartphone communication unit 355 of the MFP 300 transmits an acquisition request for the current state of the smartphone to the smartphone 600 of the user. The destination of the user's smartphone 600 is specified based on the smartphone host name 703 included in the user information in the authentication result received in step S111.

  In step S202, the MFP communication unit 250 of the smartphone 600 receives the status acquisition request for the smartphone 600 transmitted from the MFP. In step S203, the state acquisition unit 651 of the smartphone 600 acquires a state as to whether or not the smartphone 600 is in a call in response to an operation from the user.

  In step S204, the MFP communication unit 250 of the smartphone 600 transmits the use state of the smartphone acquired in step S203 to the MFP (use state transmitting unit). In step S205, the smartphone communication unit 355 of the MFP 300 acquires the state of the smartphone transmitted in step S204 (usage state receiving unit).

  In step S206, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 compares the state of the smartphone received in step S205 with the call flag 801 included in the login information 800 of the user. If there is a change in the call state (when the call is in progress but the call is ended or the call is in progress), the process proceeds to step S207, and if there is no change in the call state (while the call is in progress or the call is If not started), the process returns to step S200.

  In step S207, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 updates the call flag 801 included in the login information 800 of the user. More specifically, if a call is started, the call flag 801 is updated from “0” to “1”. Conversely, if the call has ended, the call flag 801 is updated from “1” to “0”.

  In step S <b> 208, the login information management unit 357 of the multifunction device 300 determines whether a call has been started on the smartphone 600. That is, it is determined whether or not the call flag 801 has been updated from “0” to “1”. If it is determined that the call has been started, the process proceeds to step S209. If not, the process returns to step S200.

  In step S209, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 displays the function restriction dialog (during a call) 600 displayed in step S124 described above. In step S124 described above, the user who is talking before logging in notifies the user that the function is limited during the calling, but the user who has started talking after logging in is not notified. Therefore, an error is notified only when the MFP 300 is operated without recognizing that the function is restricted and the execution of the function is instructed. In this case, since the convenience for the user is lowered, a function restriction dialog (during a call) 600 is displayed when a call is started. This makes it possible to notify the user who has started a call that the function is limited.

  In this way, while the user is logged in, the use state (call state) of the smartphone 600 is always monitored to manage whether or not the use state has changed.

  As another embodiment of FIG. 9, an authentication server 200 or a server (not shown) that is communicably connected to the MFP 300 and the smartphone 600 (hereinafter, the authentication server 200 and the server not shown are referred to as a management server). The state of the smartphone 600 owned by the user who has logged in to the multifunction device 300 may be monitored.

  In this case, the management server appropriately transmits a request similar to step S201 to the smartphone 600. And the smart phone 600 performs the process of step S202 mentioned above and step S203, and returns an execution result to a management server. In this way, the call status of the smartphone 600 is always monitored in the management server. When there is a request for acquisition of the current state of the smartphone 600 from the multifunction device 300, the current state of the smartphone 600 owned by the currently logged-in user is transmitted to the multifunction device 300. Then, the MFP 300 executes Steps S205 to S209. Also by doing this, it is possible to grasp whether or not the user who is logged in to the MFP 300 is talking.

  Note that the method for determining whether the user is in a call is not limited to this. For example, a microphone may be connected to the multifunction device 300, and it may be determined that a call is being made when a logged-in user hears a talking voice, or a radio wave emitted by the smartphone 600 during a call may be detected. It may be determined that a call is in progress.

  Next, an example of processing when executing fax transmission according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that processing at the time of fax transmission is described as an example. In actual operation, the function is not limited to fax, and any function may be used as long as it is controlled as a function restriction.

  In step S300, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 determines whether or not a fax transmission button provided on a fax initial screen (not shown) has been pressed. That is, it is determined whether or not the designation of the destination and the document to be transmitted is completed and the execution of the fax is instructed. If the fax transmission button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S301. If the fax transmission button is not pressed, the process waits as it is.

  In step S <b> 301, the application unit 354 of the MFP 300 acquires the login information 800. In step S302, the application unit 354 of the MFP 300 analyzes the login information 800 acquired in step S301, and determines whether or not the fax processing can be executed with the authority of the user. More specifically, the user information included in the login information 800 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the fax transmission of the user information transmission function 706 is “permitted”. If it is “permitted”, it may be executed. If so, the process proceeds to step S304. If not, that is, if the user is not authorized to send a fax regardless of whether the smartphone 600 is busy, the process proceeds to step S303. .

  In step S303, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 displays a fax transmission error dialog (insufficient user authority) 620 (see FIG. 6), and the process ends. That is, since the user is not authorized to use fax transmission in the first place, an error is notified and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if there is an authority to use fax transmission, in step S304, the application unit 354 of the MFP 300 analyzes the login information 800 acquired in step S301, and whether or not the call flag 801 of the user indicates that a call is in progress. Determine whether. If the call flag 801 is “1”, the call is in progress. As described above with reference to FIG. 9, since the smartphone 600 is monitored while the user is logged in, the call flag 801 is updated as needed depending on whether the call is in progress. As a result of the update, if it is determined that the user is in a call based on the information stored in the busy flag 810, the process proceeds to step S305, and if it is determined that the user is not in a call. Advances the process to step S306. That is, if the call is not in progress, fax transmission is executed in step S309 described later.

  In step S305, the application unit 354 of the MFP 300 determines whether or not fax transmission is possible even during a call based on the call authority information 710 included in the login information 800 acquired in step S301 (function execution restriction unit). ). More specifically, “permit” is stored in the fax transmission of the transmission function 713 included in the call authority information 710 with reference to the call authority information 710 included in the login information 800, or nothing is stored. If not, fax transmission is permitted even during a call. If “not allowed” is stored, fax transmission during a call is not permitted. In this way, during the call, the call authority information 710 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the function instructed by the authority during the call can be executed. If it is determined that fax transmission during a call is possible, the process proceeds to step S306. If it is determined that fax transmission during a call is not possible, the process proceeds to step S310.

  The processing after step S310 will be described first. In step S310, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 displays a fax transmission error dialog (during a call) 610 (see FIG. 6). In this dialog, since the phone 600 is busy, notification that fax transmission is restricted (notice that it is suspended) is notified. Here, when the user ends the call and the OK button provided in the dialog is pressed, the process is repeated from step S301.

  In step S <b> 311, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 determines whether the OK button on the fax transmission error dialog (during a call) 610 has been pressed. If pressed, the process returns to step S301, and if not pressed, the process proceeds to step S313. In other words, the user cannot perform fax transmission unless the user hangs up the call. When returning to step S301, information indicating that the OK button has been pressed is generated. This information is used in step S306 described later.

  In step S312, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 determines whether the cancel button on the fax transmission error dialog (during a call) 610 has been pressed. If pressed, the process proceeds to step S310; otherwise, the process returns to step S311.

  In step S313, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 cancels the fax transmission, displays a fax initial screen (not shown), and ends the process.

  On the other hand, in step S306, the application unit 354 of the MFP 300 determines whether or not the OK button is pressed in step S311 described above. That is, it is determined that the call is once in progress, and it is determined whether or not the fax transmission is waited (suspended). If the fax transmission is made to wait, the process proceeds to step S307, and if not, the process proceeds to step S309.

  In step S307, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 displays the destination confirmation screen 630 (see FIG. 6). The destination confirmation screen 630 is a screen for confirming once again whether the destination (contents) specified by the user is really correct. Since the user designates the destination while making a call, there is a possibility that the wrong destination is designated. Therefore, when fax transmission is put on hold even once, the destination confirmation screen 630 is displayed to prompt the user for confirmation, thereby preventing erroneous transmission. When the destination is confirmed on the destination confirmation screen 630 and the destination is found to be wrong, the destination can be corrected by operating the operation unit 308 provided in the multifunction machine 300.

  In step S308, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 determines whether the OK button provided in the destination confirmation screen 630 has been pressed. If it is determined that the OK button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S309. If it is not determined that the OK button has been pressed, the process waits as it is.

  In step S309, the application unit 354 of the MFP 300 executes fax transmission to the destination designated by the user, and the process ends.

  In this way, when the logged-in user is in a call, it is possible to determine whether or not the function can be executed with the call authority instead of the normal authority. If the authority is set with a stricter authority than the normal authority, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation during a call.

  Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, a call flag 801 is provided in the login information 800, and the function of the main body control application provided in the multifunction machine 300 switches the authority information to be referred to according to whether the call flag 801 is ON / OFF. However, in order to realize such a mechanism, it is necessary to change the mechanism of the main body control application of the multifunction machine 300. Basically, the main body control application of the multifunction device 300 cannot add or change functions unless the manufacturer manufactures the multifunction device 300. For this reason, in the second embodiment, it is possible to appropriately modify the authority during a call with an embedded application that can be modified by a manufacturer other than the manufacturer that manufactures the multifunction device 300 without changing the main body control application of the multifunction device 300. Explain the manageable mechanism.

  Since the system configuration, hardware configuration, and module configuration in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. However, since the second embodiment is a derivative form of the first embodiment, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are described. Will not be described. 11, 13, and 14 correspond to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5, 9, and 10 described above, and portions different from those of the first embodiment are surrounded by broken lines.

  First, an example of a series of processes from user authentication to login in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 of the second embodiment differs from the process in step S122 of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. Since the other processes are the same as those in FIG.

  In step S401, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 uses the authentication result received in step S111 and the smartphone status result received in step S121 to obtain the login information 800 as shown in 1200 of FIG. Generate.

  More specifically, based on the information received in step S121, it is determined whether the smartphone 600 is in a call. If it is determined that the call is in a call, the user information received in step S111 The authority of the user information is rewritten based on the authority information 710 during a call. On the other hand, if it is determined that the call is not in progress, nothing is done. The login information shown in 1200 of FIG. 12 including the user information thus created is generated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the e-mail transmission and the fax transmission of the transmission function 706 included in the user information are “permitted”. The transmission function 713 included in 710 is rewritten to “not permitted” for e-mail transmission and fax transmission. Then, a history of changing authority (e-mail transmission “permit → not permitted”, fax transmission “permit → not permitted”) is left. By doing so, it is possible to perform function restriction during a call without providing the above-described call flag 801 or switching the authority to refer to.

  Next, an example of processing for tracking the current state of the smartphone 600 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 of the second embodiment differs from the processing in steps S207 to S209 of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment. The other processes are the same as those in FIG.

  In step S501, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 updates each authority included in the user information of the login information 800 of the user. More specifically, when a call is started, the authority of the user information is rewritten with the in-call authority information 710 and the change history is left as in step S401 described above. Conversely, when the call ends, the authority of the user information is restored based on the change history. As shown in FIG. 12, since the call is in progress, when the e-mail transmission and the fax transmission are rewritten to “not permitted”, when the call is ended, the original “permitted” based on the change history. Return to. In this way, the authority when making a call and when not making a call is rewritten.

  In step S502, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 determines whether or not a call has been started on the smartphone 600 based on the information received in step S205. If it is determined that the call has been started, the process proceeds to step S209. If not, the process returns to step S200.

  As described above, the user authority is rewritten as needed. Since the authority is rewritten by the function of the embedded application, the main body control application need only refer to the rewritten authority and does not need to switch the authority of the reference destination.

  Next, an example of processing when executing fax transmission according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that processing at the time of fax transmission is described as an example. In actual operation, the function is not limited to fax, and any function may be used as long as it is controlled as a function restriction.

  FIG. 14 of the second embodiment differs from the processing in steps S301 to S310 of FIG. 10 of the first embodiment. The other processes are the same as those in FIG.

  In step S601, the application unit 354 of the MFP 300 acquires login information 800 as indicated by 1200 in FIG. In step S302, the application unit 354 of the MFP 300 analyzes the login information 800 acquired in step S301, and determines whether or not the fax processing can be executed with the authority of the user. More specifically, the user information included in the login information 800 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the fax transmission of the user information transmission function 706 is “permitted”. If it is “permitted”, it may be executed. If it can be executed, the process proceeds to step S603. If it should not be executed, that is, if the user is not authorized to send a fax, the process proceeds to step S604.

  In step S <b> 603, the application unit 354 of the multifunction peripheral 300 performs fax transmission to the destination designated by the user, and the process ends. On the other hand, in step S604, the display control unit 353 of the multifunction peripheral 300 displays a fax transmission error dialog (insufficient user authority) 610 (see FIG. 6). In step S605, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 determines whether the OK button provided in the dialog is pressed. If it is determined that the OK button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S606. If not, the process waits as it is.

  In step S606, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 cancels the fax transmission, displays a fax initial screen (not shown), and ends the process.

  As described above, as in the first embodiment described above, it is determined whether the call is in progress with reference to the call flag 801, and the authority to be referred to when the call is in progress is switched to the authority information 710 during the call. Even if the user's authority is rewritten at any time, transmission can be controlled according to the authority at the time of fax transmission.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the function of the multifunction device 300 is restricted when the smartphone 600 is busy. However, in many cases, the cause of an erroneous operation is not only a telephone call. For example, when sending a fax while creating an e-mail on the smartphone 600, it is easy to set an incorrect destination. If the multifunction device 300 is operated while doing something with the smartphone 600, the possibility of erroneous operation increases. However, as described above, the destination of fax transmission may be input while looking at the destination described in the smartphone 600, so the use of the smartphone 600 is uniformly prohibited while using the multifunction device 300. It is not possible.

  In view of this, the third embodiment is a mechanism capable of setting authority to be restricted for each application and performing authority control according to the application being used by the user.

  Since the system configuration, hardware configuration, and module configuration in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 20. However, since the third embodiment is a derivative form of the first embodiment, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are described. Will not be described. 15, 19, and 20 correspond to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5, 9, and 10 described above, and portions different from those of the first embodiment are surrounded by broken lines.

  First, an example of a series of processes from user authentication to login in the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 of the third embodiment differs from the processing in steps S119 to S124 of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. Since the other processes are the same as those in FIG.

  However, in the third embodiment, the call authority information 710 is replaced with the application authority information 1600 (see FIG. 16). In the application authority information 1600, the authority to use the multifunction device 300 is set for each application that runs on the smartphone 600. The application authority information 1600 includes an application name 1601, a copy function 711, a scan function 712, and a transmission function 713. The application name 1601 is the name of an application that operates on the smartphone 600. Any information that can identify the application is not limited to this. The copy function 711, the scan function 712, and the transmission function 713 are the same as the copy function 711, the scan function 712, and the transmission function 713 of the above-described call authority information 710.

  For example, in the application authority information 1600 illustrated in FIG. 16, a record in which the application name 1601 indicates “application 2” indicates that scanning by the scan function 712 and fax transmission by the transmission function 713 are “not permitted”. In other words, when “application 2” is used on the smartphone 600 by the logged-in user, execution of scanning and fax transmission is restricted.

  First, following step S118, in step S701, the state acquisition unit 651 of the smartphone 600 identifies an application in use on the smartphone 600, and acquires information related thereto (hereinafter, application use information). More specifically, an application that can accept a status acquisition request from the multifunction device 300 is installed in the smartphone 600. When the application accepts a request from the multifunction device 300, the smartphone 600 uses the application that is being used by the user. Is identified. An application in use may be identified by inquiring the current state with respect to an API (Application Programming Interface) provided in the smartphone 600, or a method other than this may be used. Note that the application in use in the present embodiment is an application that accepts an operation from the user on the screen of the smartphone 600, and is not an application that is only activated by multitasking and does not accept an operation from the user. . If the application is activated but no operation is accepted, it can be understood that the user is not operating the application. Therefore, since it is considered that the operation is concentrated on the operation of the multi-function device 300, the authority should not be controlled. Therefore, the application in use is an application that receives an operation from the user.

  In step S702, the MFP communication unit 250 of the smartphone 600 transmits the state of the smartphone 600 acquired in step S701, that is, application usage information to the MFP. Here, if there is no application being used in the smartphone 600, “NULL” is transmitted as the application usage information.

  In step S703, the smartphone communication unit 355 of the multifunction device 300 acquires the application usage information transmitted in step S702. In step S704, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 generates login information 800 as illustrated in FIG. 17 using the authentication result received in step S111 and the application usage information received in step S703. . The login information 800 illustrated in FIG. 17 includes user information included in the authentication result received in step S111 and application authority information 1600, and further includes an in-use application name 1701. The in-use application name 1701 stores the name of the application used in the smartphone 600 of the currently logged-in user based on the application usage information received in step S703. The name of the application stored in the in-use application name 1701 is a name corresponding to the application name 1601 of the application authority information 1600. More specifically, based on the application usage information received in step S703, it is determined whether or not the application corresponding to the application name 1601 is being used. If the application corresponds to the application name 1601, The name of the application is stored in the in-use application name 1701. Otherwise, do not store. If the application usage information is “NULL”, “NULL” received in step S703 is stored.

  In step S <b> 705, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 determines whether the same application as the application stored in the application name 1601 of the application authority information 1600 is being used on the smartphone 600 of the logged-in user. More specifically, it is determined whether the information stored in the in-use application name 1701 exists in the application name 1601. If it is determined that the same application as the application stored in the application name 1601 is being used in the smartphone 600 of the logged-in user, the process proceeds to step S706, and the same application as the application stored in the application name 1601 However, if it is determined that the smartphone 600 of the logged-in user is not in use, the process proceeds to step S126.

  In step S706, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 displays a function restriction dialog (in use of application) 1800 (see FIG. 18). In the function restriction dialog (in use of application) 1800, since the user is using a specific application on the smartphone 600, a notification that execution of a predetermined function of the MFP 300 is restricted is notified.

  Next, an example of a process for tracking the current state of the smartphone 600 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 19 of the third embodiment differs from the processing in steps S206 to S208 of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment. The other processes are the same as those in FIG. Note that steps S203 to S205 in FIG. 19 are the same as steps S701 to S703 in FIG. 15 described above.

  In step S <b> 801, the login information management unit 357 of the multifunction peripheral 300 determines whether there is a change in the usage state of the application. That is, it is determined whether the application indicated by the application name 1601 has been used, has been used, has been used, but another application has been used. More specifically, by comparing the application usage information received in step S205 with the used application name 1701, if there is a difference, it is determined that the usage state has changed. If it is determined that the application usage state has changed, the process proceeds to step S802; otherwise, the process returns to step S200.

  In step S802, if the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 indicates that the currently used application indicated by the application usage information received in step S205 is an application that hits the application name 1601, the used application name 1701 is displayed. Update with the name of the application currently in use. When the use is completed or not used, “NULL” is returned in step S204, and “NULL” is stored in the in-use application name 1701.

  In step S <b> 803, the login information management unit 357 of the MFP 300 determines whether the use of the application indicated by the application name 1601 is started on the smartphone 600 of the logged-in user. More specifically, when the name of the application in use is stored in the application name 1701 in use, it is determined that the use has started. If it is determined that the use of the application has started, the process proceeds to step S209, and if not, the process returns to step S200. In this way, while the user is logged in, the usage state of the application of the smartphone 600 is monitored as needed, and the in-use application name 1701 managed by the multifunction device 300 is updated.

  Next, an example of processing when executing fax transmission according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that processing at the time of fax transmission is described as an example. In actual operation, the function is not limited to fax, and any function may be used as long as it is controlled as a function restriction.

  FIG. 20 of the third embodiment differs from the processing in step S304, step S305, and step S310 of FIG. 10 of the first embodiment. The other processes are the same as those in FIG.

  In step S901, the application unit 354 of the MFP 300 analyzes the login information 800 shown in FIG. 17 acquired in step S301, and one of the applications indicated by the application name 1601 is being used on the smartphone 600 of the logged-in user. It is determined whether or not. More specifically, it is determined whether the in-use application name 1701 is not “NULL”, that is, whether the name of the in-use application is stored. If it is determined that any application indicated by the application name 1601 is being used by the logged-in user's smartphone 600, the process proceeds to step S902, and any application indicated by the application name 1601 is currently logged in. If it is determined that the user's smartphone 600 is not in use, the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S902, the application unit 354 of the MFP 300 transmits a fax even when the application indicated by the in-use application name 1701 is being used based on the application authority information 1600 included in the login information 800 illustrated in FIG. 17 acquired in step S301. Determine whether it is possible. More specifically, with reference to the application authority information 1600 included in the login information 800 shown in FIG. 17, the application name 1601 corresponding to the name of the application indicated by the application name 1701 in use is specified. When “permitted” is stored in the fax transmission of the transmission function 713 of the specified record, or nothing is stored, the fax transmission is permitted even during a call. If “not allowed” is stored, fax transmission during a call is not permitted. As described above, when a predetermined application is used, the application authority information 1600 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the function designated by the authority using the application can be executed. If it is determined that fax transmission is possible, the process proceeds to step S306. If it is determined that fax transmission is not possible, the process proceeds to step S903.

  In step S903, the display control unit 353 of the MFP 300 displays a fax transmission error dialog (in-use of application) 1810 (see FIG. 18). In this dialog, since a predetermined application is being used on the smartphone 600, the fact that fax transmission is restricted (notice that it is suspended) is notified. Here, when the user finishes using the application and presses the OK button provided in the dialog, the process is repeated from step S301.

  As described above, the functions that can be executed by the multifunction device 300 can be limited according to the application that is being used by the smartphone 600 that the logged-in user has, so the smartphone can be used even while the multifunction device 300 is being used. The functions of the multifunction device 300 can be flexibly restricted without restricting the use of 600 uniformly.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the usage state of the mobile terminal is transmitted to the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus can restrict execution of a predetermined function according to the received usage state. Therefore, even when the image processing apparatus is operated while operating the portable terminal, there is an effect that the function can be appropriately restricted.

  The present invention can be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like, and can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. You may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  Note that the present invention includes a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely from a system or apparatus. The present invention also includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the present invention also includes a computer program for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. In addition, there are magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), and the like.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let me. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the downloaded key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

100 Printing System 101 Printer 102 Print Server 103 Client PC
104 Authentication Server 105 Card Reader 106 Network 201 CPU
202 RAM
203 ROM
204 System Bus 205 Input Controller 206 Video Controller 207 Memory Controller 208 Communication I / F (Interface) Controller 209 Input Device 210 Display Device 211 External Memory 301 CPU
302 RAM
303 ROM
304 HDD
305 Network I / F
306 MODEM
307 Operation unit I / F
308 Operation unit 309 System bus 310 RIP
311 Printer I / F
312 Printer unit 313 Scanner I / F
314 Scanner unit 315 Image bus 316 Controller unit 317 Image processing unit 318 External I / F

Claims (13)

A processing device capable of communicating with a mobile terminal provided with an operation state transmitting means for transmitting operation information indicating an operation state of a specific function of the mobile terminal, which is updated according to an operation from a user, to the processing device,
Storage means for storing a function of restricting execution of the processing device operated by a user using the mobile terminal according to operation information of the mobile terminal operated by the user ;
Operation state receiving means for receiving the operation information transmitted from the portable terminal;
When it is determined that the specific function of the portable terminal is in operation based on the operation information received by the operation state receiving unit, the processing device is executed by the user according to the function stored in the storage unit. And a function execution restricting means for restricting. The processor is
Further comprising display means for displaying a screen capable of accepting an instruction to execute the function of the processing device;
When the function execution restriction unit receives an instruction to execute a function included in the processing device on the screen displayed by the display unit, the function execution restriction unit is configured according to the operation information of the portable terminal received by the operation state reception unit. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein execution of the function stored in the storage unit is restricted.   The display means determines that the operation of the specific function of the mobile terminal is completed based on the operation information received by the operation state receiving means after restricting the execution of the function by the function execution restriction means, and restricts the execution. The processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the function is executed, the user is notified of the contents to be executed. The operation state receiving means receives operation information of the mobile terminal including an operation state of an application operable on the mobile terminal,
The storage means stores a function to be restricted when the application is operating,
The function execution restriction unit restricts execution of the function stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the application is in operation based on the operation information of the portable terminal received by the operation state reception unit. The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The storage means stores a function for limiting each application operable on the mobile terminal,
The function execution restricting means is stored in the storage means corresponding to the active application identified from the operation information of the mobile terminal including the operation status of the application operable on the mobile terminal received by the operation status receiving means. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein execution of the stored function is restricted. The storage means stores a function that the mobile terminal restricts during a call,
The function execution restriction unit restricts execution of the function stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the operation state of the mobile terminal is in a call based on the operation information received by the operation state reception unit. The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: It is possible to communicate with a mobile terminal provided with an operation state transmitting means for transmitting operation information of a specific function of the mobile terminal, which is updated according to an operation from the user, to the processing device, and by a user using the mobile terminal A method for controlling a processing device comprising a storage means for storing a function for restricting execution of the operated processing device according to operation information of a mobile terminal operated by the user ,
An operation state receiving step in which operation information receiving means of the processing device receives operation information of a specific function of the mobile terminal transmitted from the mobile terminal;
If the function execution restriction unit of the first-stage processing device determines that the specific function of the portable terminal is in operation based on the operation information received in the operation state reception step, the function execution restriction unit corresponds to the function stored in the storage unit And a function execution restriction step for restricting execution of the processing device by the user . Is updated according to the operation of the user can communicate with a mobile terminal specific functions of the mobile terminal comprises an operating state transmitting means for transmitting to the processor operation information indicating whether or not in operation, the portable terminal A program comprising storage means for storing a function for restricting execution of a processing device operated by a user who uses the computer according to an operating state of a mobile terminal operated by the user ,
The processing device;
Operation state receiving means for receiving the operation information transmitted from the portable terminal;
When it is determined that the specific function of the portable terminal is in operation based on the operation information received by the operation state receiving unit, the execution of the processing device by the user is restricted according to the function stored in the storage unit A program characterized by functioning as function execution restriction means. An information processing system including a mobile terminal and a processing device,
The portable terminal is
An operation state transmitting means for transmitting operation information indicating an operation state of a specific function of the mobile terminal updated in response to an operation from a user to the processing device;
The processor is
Storage means for storing a function of restricting execution of a processing device operated by a user using the mobile terminal according to operation information of the mobile terminal operated by the user ;
Operation state receiving means for receiving the operation information transmitted from the portable terminal;
When it is determined that the specific function of the portable terminal is in operation based on the operation information received by the operation state receiving unit, the execution of the processing device by the user is restricted according to the function stored in the storage unit An information processing system comprising: a function execution restriction unit that performs   The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the operation state transmission unit transmits operation information indicating an operation state of the mobile terminal to the processing device while the user is logged in to the processing device. system.   11. The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the operation state transmission unit transmits operation information of the mobile terminal including an operation state of an application operable on the mobile terminal. . A portable terminal and a processing apparatus including a storage unit that stores a function of restricting execution of a processing apparatus operated by a user using the portable terminal according to operation information of the portable terminal operated by the user. A method for controlling an information processing system including:
An operation state transmitting step in which the operation state transmitting unit of the mobile terminal transmits operation information indicating an operation state of a specific function of the mobile terminal updated according to an operation from a user to the processing device;
An operation state receiving step in which the operation state receiving means of the processing device receives operation information indicating the operation state of a specific function of the mobile terminal transmitted from the mobile terminal;
If the function execution restriction unit of the processing device determines that the specific function of the portable terminal is in operation based on the operation information received in the operation state reception step, according to the function stored in the storage unit And a function execution restriction step for restricting execution of the processing device by the user . A portable terminal and a processing apparatus including a storage unit that stores a function of restricting execution of a processing apparatus operated by a user using the portable terminal according to operation information of the portable terminal operated by the user. A program capable of executing a control method of an information processing system including:
The portable terminal;
Function as operation state transmission means for transmitting operation information indicating the operation state of a specific function of the mobile terminal updated in response to an operation from the user to the processing device;
The processing device;
An operation state receiving means for receiving operation information indicating an operation state of a specific function of the mobile terminal transmitted from the mobile terminal;
When it is determined that the specific function of the portable terminal is in operation based on the operation information received by the operation state receiving unit, the execution of the processing device by the user is restricted according to the function stored in the storage unit A program characterized by functioning as function execution control means.

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