JPH09311748A - Information processing method, information processor, and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing method, device and system, which can simplify the management of user information and can improve the convenience for user at the time of using plural information processors. SOLUTION: A user ID discrimination part discriminates whether inputted user ID is previously registered one or not (step S704). When it is previously registered, user ID is transmitted to an external device (step S706). User information corresponding to user ID is received from the external device (step S707). Then, the mode of the pertinent information processor is initialized in accordance with designation related to the function mode selection of received user information as long as setting is possible (step S708).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing method between devices connected by a network or the like, an information processing device connected by a network or the like, and an information processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an information processing apparatus such as an image processing apparatus connected by a network or the like is known. By directly inputting or reading the control card with this information processing device,
There is known a device having a user information management function of inputting ID (identification) information (hereinafter referred to as “user ID”) which is identification information for identifying a user and managing the user by this user ID. According to this information processing apparatus, for example, only a user who uses a specific user ID can be permitted to use the apparatus, and the usage status of the apparatus such as the number of copies can be managed by the user. Also,
By registering a specific function mode to a specific key in advance so as to correspond to a specific user ID according to the user's wishes, the user can individually and easily perform the mode initialization and enhance the operability of the apparatus. An information processing device that does this is also known.

[0003]

However, in an office having a plurality of information processing devices, one user often uses these plurality of information processing devices. At that time, since it is troublesome for each user to have a different user ID for each device, it is usual to use a plurality of devices with a single user ID. However, since the functions or settable modes of a plurality of devices are not necessarily the same, a user-desired mode corresponding to a single user ID (for example, with respect to the copy function, a copy magnification, a double-sided printing mode normally used by the user, In some cases, the density, etc.) can be set in one device but cannot be set in another device. Therefore, the mode setting operation needs to be performed for each device, and there is a problem that the operation is particularly complicated at the time of initial setting and the like.

Further, when the information processing devices are connected to each other via a network, if the user IDs are managed individually for each device, the user IDs cannot be managed in a unified manner, and the user information management is facilitated. There is a problem that the advantage of the user ID cannot be utilized.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to simplify user information management and improve user convenience when using a plurality of information processing apparatuses. An object is to provide an information processing method, an information processing device, and an information processing system that can be achieved.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing method according to claim 1 of the present invention is a predetermined information receiving step of receiving predetermined information, and predetermined information received in the predetermined information receiving step. And a transmission step of transmitting the
A user information receiving step of receiving user information corresponding to the predetermined information transmitted in the transmitting step from the external device; and a processing step of executing a predetermined process based on the user information received in the user information receiving step. It is characterized by including.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the structure of the first aspect, the predetermined information is identification information for identifying a user. .

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing method according to claim 3 of the present invention is the information processing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user information is information designating selection of a function mode. Characterize.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing method according to claim 4 of the present invention is the information processing method according to claim 3, wherein the processing step relates to a function related to the user information received in the user information receiving step. It is characterized by including a selecting step of selecting a mode according to the user information.

To achieve the same object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention transmits a predetermined information receiving means for receiving predetermined information and the predetermined information received by the predetermined information receiving means to an external device. Transmitting means, user information receiving means for receiving user information corresponding to the predetermined information transmitted by the transmitting means from the external device, and executing predetermined processing based on the user information received by the user information receiving means And a processing means for performing the processing.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration according to claim 5, the predetermined information is identification information for identifying a user. To do.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention is the configuration according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the user information is information designating selection of a function mode. Characterize.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention has the structure according to claim 7 in which the processing means is a function of the user information receiving means among the functions of the information processing apparatus. It is characterized by further comprising selection means for selecting a mode for a function related to the received user information according to the user information.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 9 of the present invention is the configuration according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the registration means for registering predetermined information, and the registration. When the predetermined information registered by the means does not include the predetermined information received by the predetermined information receiving means, a transmission prohibiting means for prohibiting the transmission of the predetermined information by the transmitting means is provided.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing system according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is an information processing system including an external device and an information processing device, the predetermined information being received by the information processing device. Predetermined information receiving means for
Transmitting means for transmitting the predetermined information received by the information processing device from the information processing device to the external device, and user information corresponding to the predetermined information transmitted by the transmitting device from the external device to the information processing device. Reply means for replying, user information receiving means for causing the information processing apparatus to receive the user information returned by the reply means, and predetermined processing for the information processing apparatus based on the user information received by the information processing apparatus And a processing unit for executing.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing system according to claim 11 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration according to claim 10, the predetermined information is identification information for identifying a user. To do.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing system according to claim 12 of the present invention is the information processing system according to claim 10 or 11.
In the described configuration, the user information is information designating selection of a function mode.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing system according to claim 13 of the present invention is the information processing system according to claim 12, wherein the processing means is a function of the user information receiving means among the functions of the information processing device. It is characterized by further comprising selection means for selecting a mode for a function related to the received user information according to the user information.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing system according to claim 14 of the present invention is the configuration according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the external device registers the user information. It is characterized by having a registration means.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing system according to claim 15 of the present invention is the configuration according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the external device manages the user information. It is characterized by having a management means.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing system according to claim 16 of the present invention is the configuration according to any one of claims 10 to 15 above, in which the external device is one of claims 5 to 9. It is characterized in that it is the information processing apparatus of any one of items.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing system according to claim 17 of the present invention is the configuration according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the information processing device registers predetermined information. And a transmission prohibition means for prohibiting the transmission of the predetermined information by the transmission means when the predetermined information registered by the registration means does not include the predetermined information received by the information processing apparatus. Characterize.

In order to achieve the same purpose, the information processing system according to claim 18 of the present invention is the information processing system according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the external device registers the predetermined information. And a reply prohibition means for prohibiting the reply of the user information by the reply means when the predetermined information registered by the registration means does not include the predetermined information transmitted by the transmission means. To do.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing system according to claim 19 of the present invention is any one of claims 5-9.
An information processing system configured by connecting a plurality of information processing devices according to the item 1 through a network,
At least one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses is provided with a collective management unit that collectively manages user information regarding other information processing apparatuses of the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configurations of an information processing apparatus and an information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The information processing device 10 is
It is composed of a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, a facsimile unit 3, and a hard disk unit 4. A printer unit 2 and a facsimile unit 3 are connected to the reader unit 1. Further, an external device 11 is connected to the reader unit 1 via a network, and the facsimile unit 3 has a hard disk unit 4
And the telephone line is connected. With the above configuration, the information processing device 10 and the external device 11 constitute an information processing system.

The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document (not shown) and transfers image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 and the facsimile unit 3. The printer unit 2 records the image data input from the reader unit 1 or the image corresponding to the image data input from the facsimile unit 3 via the reader unit 1 on a recording paper (not shown).

The facsimile section 3 expands the compressed image data received via the telephone line and transfers the expanded image data to the reader section 1. The facsimile unit 3 further compresses the image data transferred from the reader unit 1,
This compressed image data is transmitted to the outside via a telephone line. The hard disk unit 4 can temporarily store the compressed image data received by the facsimile unit 3.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 in the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

In the reader unit 1, the document feeding device 101
Feeds the placed originals one by one from the last page onto the platen glass 102, and receives the originals discharged from the platen glass 102 after the reading operation of the originals is completed. When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on and the scanner unit 104 starts moving, so that the original is exposed and scanned. At this time, the reflected light from the document is reflected by the mirrors 105, 106, 10
It is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 109 by the lens 7 and the lens 108. This allows
The image of the scanned document is read by the CCD 109. The image data output from the CCD 109 is transferred to the printer unit 2 and the facsimile unit 3 after predetermined processing.

Laser driver 22 in printer unit 2
The reference numeral 1 drives the laser emitting section 201, and causes the laser emitting section 201 to generate a laser beam according to the image data output from the reader section 1. This laser light is applied to the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. This photosensitive drum 202
A developing device 203 attaches a developer to the latent image portion of. Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 204 or the cassette 205, and is conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is attached to the recording paper. Is transcribed to. The recording paper bearing the developer is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper that has passed the fixing unit 207 is discharged by the carry-out roller 208. The sorter 220 sorts the discharged recording papers into the respective bins according to the sorting mode. In addition,
The sorter 220 stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin when the sorting mode is not set.

When the double-sided recording mode is set,
After the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208,
The rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 reverses, and the flapper 209
The recording paper is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 by.

When the multiple recording mode is set,
The flapper 209 guides the recording paper to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 so that the recording paper is not conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording sheet guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of the reader unit 1 in the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The reader unit 1 is a CCD 109, A / D / SH
(Analog / digital conversion / shading correction) section 1
10, image processing unit 111, user ID determination unit 112, I
/ F (interface) 113, CPU (central processing unit) 114, operation unit 115, memory 116 and I / F
(Interface) 117.

The CCD 109, the A / D / SH unit 110 and the image processing unit 111 are connected in series, and the image processing unit 111
The printer unit 2 is connected to the printer. A / D / SH part 1
10 is connected to the image processing unit 111 by an I / F1
13 is connected, and the facsimile unit 3 is connected to the I / F 113. The CPU 114 includes an image processing unit 11
1, user ID discrimination unit 112, I / F 113, operation unit 1
15, the memory 116 and the I / F 117 are connected. The external device 11 is connected to the I / F 117. The operation unit 115 is an LCD (liquid crystal display device) display unit 1.
151 is provided.

The CCD 109 sends the read image data to the A / D / SH unit 110, and the A / D / SH unit 110
Performs analog-to-digital conversion of the received image data and shading correction. A / D / SH section 11
0 transfers the processed image data to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111 and also to the facsimile unit 3 via the I / F 113. The operation unit 115 can set various modes by the user, and user identification information for identifying the user (hereinafter referred to as “user ID”)
Can be entered. Further, the LCD provided in the operation unit 115
The operation state and the like of the information processing device 10 are displayed on the display unit 1151 (described later).

The CPU 114 has an image processing unit 111 and an I / F 113 according to the setting contents set by the operation unit 115.
Control. For example, when the "copy mode" in which the trimming process is performed by the operation unit 115 to perform copying is set, the image processing unit 111 is caused to perform the trimming process and then the image data is transferred to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the control command corresponding to the set mode is transferred to the facsimile unit 3 by the I / F 113 together with the image data.

In the memory inside the user ID discrimination section 112,
A user ID can be registered in advance by the operation unit 115. Then, the user ID determination unit 112
The user ID entered on the operation unit 115 is already the user ID.
It is determined whether it is registered in the memory in the determination unit 112. Then, the mode state set according to the user information described later is stored in a memory (not shown) in the user ID determination unit 112.

The memory 116 includes a CPU as described above.
A control program for executing control of 114 is stored, and the memory 116 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114. The I / F 117 is used for connection with the external device 11, and is SCSI (RSC), RS-232C.
It has the function of communication using the standard and the function of performing communication by connecting to the network.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the operation unit 115 in the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The LCD display unit 1151 is provided in the information processing device 1.
The operating state of 0, a message, etc. are displayed by characters and pictures. An example of the display mode is shown in the LCD display section 1151 of FIG. The surface of the LCD display unit 1151 is a touch panel, and by touching the surface, it functions as a selection key. Numeric keys 1152 are keys for inputting numbers. The start key 1153 is a key for instructing to start execution of various operations. The reset key 1154 is a key for instructing cancellation of various operations.

The ID key 1155 is used to identify the user from the information processing apparatus 10 in the standard mode (the mode when using a normal function such as copying) to the ID input mode (before the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 is started. This is a key for instructing to shift to the mode). This key works only when the entered user ID is included in the user IDs registered in advance. When the ID input mode is set, copying or the like cannot be performed, and the LCD display unit 1151 displays the ID information input screen. When the numeric keypad 1152 is pressed, the pressed numerical value is displayed. Whether or not this numerical value matches the numerical value of any of the already registered user IDs is determined by the processing described below. If they match, it means that the use permission of the information processing apparatus 10 has been obtained, and the ID is re-registered. By pressing the key 1155, it is possible to shift to the standard mode as shown in the LCD display 1151 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the external device 11 in the information processing system according to the first embodiment. The external device 11 includes a user ID identification unit 1101,
CPU (central processing unit) 1102, memory 1103, operation unit 1104, and I / F (interface) 1105
Consists of The CPU 1102 includes a user ID identification unit 1101, a memory 1103, an operation unit 1104, and an I / O unit.
F1105 is connected to the CPU 1102.
Controls all of these components.

The external device 11 is connected to the information processing device 10 via the I / F 1105.

When the user ID is received from the information processing apparatus 10 via the I / F 1105, the user ID identifying section 11
01 determines whether or not any of the user IDs already registered in the memory (not shown) in the user ID identification unit 1101 matches the received user ID. This process is not necessarily performed, and in the first embodiment, the user ID determination unit 112 of the information processing device 10 performs the process. Therefore, the user ID identification unit 1101 does not need to perform this process.

User information, which will be described later, is registered in the memory 1103 so as to correspond to each user ID. The registration of this user information can be performed using the operation unit 1104. When the user ID identification unit 1101 determines that the received user ID matches any of the already registered user IDs, the user information corresponding to the user ID is stored in the memory 1103 from the I / F 110.
5 to the information processing device 10. Such a C
A control program for executing processing by the PU 1102 is stored in the memory 1103, and the CPU 110
2 executes each control while referring to the memory 1103.
The memory 1103 is also used as a work area for the CPU 1102.

The I / F 1105 is used for connection with the information processing apparatus 10 and has a communication function using the SCSI and RS-232C standards, and a function for performing communication by connecting to a network.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of user information used in the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The user information is set and registered corresponding to the user ID, as described above. In the user information, in addition to the user ID for identifying the user, data for managing the usage status of the user (number of copies, usable count number in the figure, used count number, etc.) and initial function are set. Data, data indicating whether or not a specific function (facsimile (FAX) function) can be used, and the like are included. Here, the initial function is, for example, an initial mode which is the first copy mode, or a mode stored in the mode memories 1, 2, 3 or the like in which the user can arbitrarily set a desired mode.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the control procedure of the initial setting process by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. This process is executed under the control of the CPU 114.

This processing is started when the ID key 1155 is pressed in the standard mode or after the information processing apparatus 10 is powered on. First, the ID input screen in the ID input mode is displayed on the LCD display unit 1151 and a state of waiting for the input of the number related to the user ID by the ten keys 1152 is entered (step S701). Subsequently, the input of the user ID on the ten-key pad 1152 is accepted (step S70).
2) By accepting the input from the ID key 1155, the number associated with the user ID input at that time is confirmed (step S703).

Next, the user ID discriminating unit 112 discriminates whether or not the confirmed user ID has already been registered (step S704). As a result of the determination, if the user ID is not registered, a message indicating that the user ID is not registered is displayed on the LCD display unit 1151 (step S705), and the process returns to step S702. On the other hand, if the user ID has already been registered, it is determined that the user has been given permission to use the user ID, and
To (step S706).

On the side of the external device 11 which has received the user ID, control is performed such that the user information corresponding to the user ID is returned to the information processing device 10. Then, in subsequent step S707, the user information returned from the external device 11 is received via the I / F 117, and in step S7.
08 sets the initial function.

Here, the setting of the initial function is performed based on the designation by the received user information, and in principle, the mode and the like according to the designation are set. For example, when the “duplex printing mode” is set in the “mode memory 1” of FIG. 6, the initial function setting of the information processing apparatus 10 is the “duplex printing mode”. However, if the information processing device 10
If the function for double-sided printing is not provided in, the specification by the "mode memory 1" is ignored,
The “duplex printing mode” is never set. Therefore,
Information processing device 10 among the modes designated by the user information
In (1), mode setting is performed according to user information only for a function that has that function and can be set as specified.

In a succeeding step S709, a standard screen corresponding to the set initial function is displayed on the LCD display unit 1151, and then the mode is shifted to the standard mode, and this processing is terminated.

By this processing, when a plurality of information processing devices are connected to the external device 11, the user information designating the function mode selection can be shared among the information processing devices, and which information processing device is used. Also at this time, since the user information corresponding to the user ID can be uniformly obtained from the external device 11, as long as it can be set in the information processing device, the mode desired by the user can be easily set.
Therefore, you can specify a unique user ID for each user.
Since it can be easily set for multiple information processing devices and there is no need to make initial settings for each information processing device,
User convenience can be improved.

Further, the user information can be managed in a unified manner by the external device 11 without paying attention to the operation of the functions in each information processing device and the propriety of setting, and the management of the user information can be simplified.

Further, the information processing apparatus 10 identifies the user.
Since it is performed on the side, only a specific user can be permitted to use the device.

(Second Embodiment) An information processing apparatus and an information processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment, and is as shown in FIG.

In the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 are as shown in FIG. 2, and the detailed configuration of the reader unit 1 is as shown in FIG.
5 is as shown in FIG. 4, the external device 11 is as shown in FIG. 5, and the user information is as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the information processing system according to the second exemplary embodiment includes an information processing device 10 and an external device 1.
And 1.

In the information processing apparatus and information processing system according to the second embodiment, the point that the user ID is identified by the external apparatus 11 instead of the information processing apparatus 10 is the information processing apparatus and information according to the first embodiment. Different from the processing system. Therefore, the initialization process will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 instead of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the initial setting process by the information processing system according to the second embodiment. The process of FIG. 8 is executed under the control of the CPU 114. Further, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the user ID identification processing by the information processing system according to the second embodiment. The processing of FIG. 9 is performed by the CPU 1 between steps S804 and S805 of FIG.
It is executed under the control of 102.

First, in FIG. 8, steps S801 to S801.
In step S803, the same processing as steps S701 to S703 of FIG. 7 is executed.

In a succeeding step S804, the confirmed user ID is transmitted to the external device 11.

The following processing is executed in the external device 11 (FIG. 5).

That is, in FIG. 9, the information processing device 1
The user ID received from 0 is the user ID identification unit 110.
1, the user ID identification unit 1101 determines whether or not the user ID is already registered in the memory (not shown) (step S901). As a result of the determination, the already registered user I
If it is D, the memory 11 corresponding to the user ID
While the user information in 03 is returned to the information processing apparatus 10 (step S902), if the user ID is not registered, ID error information indicating that is returned to the information processing apparatus 10 (step S903), This process ends.

Returning to the processing of the information processing apparatus 10 (FIG. 8),
Subsequently, it is determined whether the data returned from the external device 11 and received by the information processing device 10 is user information (step S805). If the data is not user information, the user I
A message notifying that D has not been registered is displayed on the LCD display unit 1151 (step S806), and the step S802 is executed.
Return to. On the other hand, if the received data is user information, the process proceeds to step S807.

In steps S807 and S808, the same processes as steps S708 and S709 of FIG. 7 are executed, and this process is terminated.

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment with regard to improvement of user convenience and simplification of management of user information. Further, since the user is identified on the side of the external device 11, the use permission to a specific user can be unified on the side of the external device 11.

In the first and second embodiments, the image processing device is given as an example of the information processing device, but the information processing device is not limited to this, and may be another device such as a terminal device connected by a network or the like. Good.

Further, although the external device 11 is provided as a device for controlling the information processing system, a plurality of information processing devices according to the first or second embodiment are connected to form a system, and one of them is used. It is also possible to select this information processing device as the controlling device and collectively manage the user information of other information processing devices.

The user ID input means is not limited to the ten-key pad, but a control card that is a substitute for the user ID is distributed to each user, and the function of reading the user ID written on the control card is used for each information processing. It may be provided in the device.

Further, the user information may include information other than the information exemplified in the first or second embodiment. In that case, the contents processed by the information processing device 10 based on the user information are not limited to the setting of the function mode, and can be applied to all other processes.

[0073]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
According to the information processing method of claim 5 or the information processing apparatus of claim 5, the predetermined information is received, the received predetermined information is transmitted to an external device, and the user information corresponding to the transmitted predetermined information is the Since it is received from an external device and a predetermined process is executed based on the received user information,
When using a plurality of information processing devices, the user information corresponding to the predetermined information can be uniformly obtained from the external device regardless of which device is used, and the user information management at the time of executing the predetermined process can be performed. It is possible to achieve simplification and improvement of user convenience. For example, it is possible to easily set the mode desired by the user as much as possible in the device, and easily set the desired mode unique to each user in a plurality of information processing devices by using a single predetermined information. Need not be performed for each device.

According to the information processing method of claim 4 of the present invention, the information processing device of claim 8 or the information processing system of claim 13, the functions related to the received user information are according to the user information. Since the mode is selected, the information designating the function mode selection can be shared among the information processing devices, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

According to the information processing device of claim 9 of the present invention, when the predetermined information is registered and the registered predetermined information does not include the received predetermined information, the transmission of the predetermined information is prohibited. Therefore, the use of the information processing device can be restricted to a specific person by using the predetermined information as a clue.

According to the information processing system of the tenth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined information is received, the received predetermined information is transmitted from the information processing device to the external device, and corresponds to the transmitted predetermined information. User information is returned from the external device to the information processing device, the returned user information is received by the information processing device, and predetermined processing is executed by the information processing device based on the received user information. Therefore, when using a plurality of information processing devices, the user information corresponding to the predetermined information can be uniformly obtained from the external device when using any of the information processing devices, and the user when performing the predetermined process. It is possible to simplify information management and improve user convenience. For example, it is possible to easily set the mode desired by the user as much as possible in the device, and easily set the desired mode unique to each user in a plurality of information processing devices by using a single predetermined information. Need not be performed for each device.

According to the information processing system of claim 14 of the present invention, since the user information is registered, the convenience for the user can be further improved.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the information processing system of the present invention, since the user information is managed, the external device can manage the user information in a unified manner.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the information processing system of the present invention, it is possible to simplify user information management and improve user convenience without providing an external device dedicated to collective management.

According to the information processing system of claim 17, the transmission of the predetermined information is prohibited when the predetermined information is registered and the registered predetermined information does not include the received predetermined information. Therefore, it is possible to restrict the use of the information processing device to a user other than the specific user who has the clue to the predetermined information.

According to the information processing system of claim 18 of the present invention, if the predetermined information is registered and the predetermined information registered by the registration means does not include the transmitted predetermined information, the user information of the user information Since the reply is prohibited, it is possible to restrict the use of the information processing device to a user other than the specific user who uses the predetermined information as a clue on the external device side.

In the information processing system according to claim 19 of the present invention, a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected to each other via a network, and at least one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses enables a plurality of information processing apparatuses to be connected. Since the user information related to the other information processing device among them is collectively managed, it is possible to simplify the user information management and improve the convenience of the user without providing an external device dedicated to the collective management.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing apparatus and an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a reader unit and a printer unit in the information processing apparatus according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a reader unit in the information processing apparatus according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an operation unit of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an external device in the information processing system according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of user information used in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of initialization processing by the information processing apparatus according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of initial setting processing by the information processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a user I by the information processing system according to the same embodiment.
It is a flow chart which shows the control procedure of D identification processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Reader Unit 2 Printer Unit 3 Facsimile Unit 10 Information Processing Device 11 External Device 112 User ID Discrimination Unit 113 I / F (Interface) 114 CPU (Central Processing Unit) 115 Operation Unit 116 Memory 117 I / F (Interface) 1101 User ID Identification unit 1102 CPU (central processing unit) 1103 Memory 1104 Operation unit 1105 I / F (interface) 1151 LCD display unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location // H04N 1/00 H04N 1/00 C

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A predetermined information receiving step of receiving predetermined information, a transmitting step of transmitting the predetermined information received in the predetermined information receiving step to an external device, and a user corresponding to the predetermined information transmitted in the transmitting step. An information processing method comprising: a user information receiving step of receiving information from the external device; and a processing step of executing a predetermined process based on the user information received in the user information receiving step. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined information is identification information for identifying a user. 3. The user information is information designating selection of a function mode.
The information processing method described. 4. The information processing method according to claim 3, wherein the processing step includes a selection step of selecting a mode according to the user information regarding a function related to the user information received in the user information receiving step. . 5. A predetermined information receiving means for receiving the predetermined information, a transmitting means for transmitting the predetermined information received by the predetermined information receiving means to an external device, and a user corresponding to the predetermined information transmitted by the transmitting means. An information processing apparatus comprising: a user information receiving unit that receives information from the external device; and a processing unit that executes a predetermined process based on the user information received by the user information receiving unit. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined information is identification information for identifying a user. 7. The user information is information designating selection of a function mode.
The information processing device described. 8. The processing means includes a selection means for selecting a mode of a function of the information processing apparatus, which is related to the user information received by the user information receiving means, according to the user information. The information processing device according to claim 7. 9. A registering means for registering predetermined information, and when the predetermined information registered by the registering means does not include the predetermined information received by the predetermined information receiving means, the transmitting means transmits the predetermined information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a transmission prohibition unit that prohibits transmission. 10. An information processing system comprising an external device and an information processing device, wherein the predetermined information receiving means for causing the information processing device to receive the predetermined information, and the predetermined information received by the information processing device. Transmitting means for transmitting from the information processing device to the external device, reply means for returning user information corresponding to the predetermined information transmitted by the transmitting device from the external device to the information processing device, and the reply means. User information receiving means for causing the information processing apparatus to receive the returned user information, and processing means for causing the information processing apparatus to execute a predetermined process based on the user information received by the information processing apparatus Information processing system characterized by. 11. The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined information is identification information for identifying a user. 12. The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the user information is information designating selection of a function mode. 13. The processing means includes a selection means for selecting a mode according to the user information regarding a function related to the user information received by the user information receiving means among the functions of the information processing apparatus. Claim 1
2. The information processing system described in 2. 14. The external device comprises registration means for registering the user information.
13. The information processing system according to any one of 13. 15. The external device includes a management unit that manages the user information.
14. The information processing system according to any one of 14. 16. The information processing system according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the external device is the information processing device according to any one of claims 5 to 9. 17. The information processing apparatus uses a registration means for registering predetermined information, and the transmitting means if the predetermined information registered by the registration means does not include the predetermined information received by the information processing apparatus. 2. A transmission prohibition means for prohibiting the transmission of the predetermined information.
The information processing system according to any one of 0 to 16. 18. The external device registers the predetermined information, and if the predetermined information registered by the registration means does not include the predetermined information transmitted by the transmitting means, the user information by the replying means. 10. A reply prohibition means for prohibiting the reply of the above is provided.
6. The information processing system according to any one of 6. 19. An information processing system configured by connecting a plurality of information processing apparatuses according to any one of claims 5 to 9 to each other via a network, and at least one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses. One is an information processing system including a collective management unit that collectively manages user information relating to other information processing apparatuses of the plurality of the information processing apparatuses.