WO2019017640A1 - Account processing method for processing accounts between which account linkage is set in image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus using account processing method - Google Patents

Account processing method for processing accounts between which account linkage is set in image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus using account processing method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019017640A1
WO2019017640A1 PCT/KR2018/007860 KR2018007860W WO2019017640A1 WO 2019017640 A1 WO2019017640 A1 WO 2019017640A1 KR 2018007860 W KR2018007860 W KR 2018007860W WO 2019017640 A1 WO2019017640 A1 WO 2019017640A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
account
application
image forming
forming apparatus
linkage
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2018/007860
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Young Hoon Son
Original Assignee
Hp Printing Korea Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hp Printing Korea Co., Ltd. filed Critical Hp Printing Korea Co., Ltd.
Publication of WO2019017640A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019017640A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F21/60—Protecting data
    • G06F21/606—Protecting data by securing the transmission between two devices or processes
    • G06F21/608—Secure printing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F21/30—Authentication, i.e. establishing the identity or authorisation of security principals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F21/30—Authentication, i.e. establishing the identity or authorisation of security principals
    • G06F21/44—Program or device authentication
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L9/00—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
    • H04L9/32—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials
    • H04L9/321—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials involving a third party or a trusted authority
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L9/00—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
    • H04L9/32—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials
    • H04L9/3247—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials involving digital signatures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
    • G06F3/1204—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1222—Increasing security of the print job
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1229—Printer resources management or printer maintenance, e.g. device status, power levels
    • G06F3/1231—Device related settings, e.g. IP address, Name, Identification
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1238—Secure printing, e.g. user identification, user rights for device usage, unallowed content, blanking portions or fields of a page, releasing held jobs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1268—Job submission, e.g. submitting print job order or request not the print data itself
    • G06F3/1271—Job submission at the printing node, e.g. creating a job from a data stored locally or remotely
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1285—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates to an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus using the account processing method.
  • a user interface device having a separate operating system (OS) is able to execute an application prepared for the same OS in an image forming apparatus.
  • OS operating system
  • an application developed for an Android OS is able to be executed in an image forming apparatus as long as the Android OS is installed in a user interface device of the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus is able to support various applications, and thus perform various jobs, expanding the functions of the image forming apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram of an image forming apparatus connected to a user terminal or a server according to an example
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a user interface device according to an example
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a controller of a user interface device according to an example
  • FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device setting an account linkage according to an example
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device sets an account linkage according to an example
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device generating an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application according to an example
  • FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device generates an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application according to an example
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device removing an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application according to an example
  • FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device removes an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application according to an example
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart of setting an account linkage in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example
  • FIG. 13 is a flowchart of generation of an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example;
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart of removal of an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example.
  • the component When a component is “connected” to another component, the component may be “directly connected” to the other component, or may be “connected” to the other component “via another component therebetween.” Also, when a component "includes” another component, the component may further include other components unless indicated otherwise.
  • an "image forming job” may denote any one of various jobs (for example, printing, scanning, copying, and faxing) related to an image, such as forming of an image or generating/storing/transmitting of an image file
  • a "job” may denote not only an image forming job, but may also denote a series of processes required to perform the image forming job.
  • an "image forming apparatus” may denote any apparatus capable of performing an image forming job, such as a printer, a scanner, a copier, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), a display device, or the like.
  • a printer a scanner, a copier, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), a display device, or the like.
  • MFP multi-function printer
  • hard copy may denote an operation of outputting an image to a print medium, such as a piece of paper
  • soft copy may denote an operation of outputting an image to a display device, such as a television (TV) or a monitor, or to a memory.
  • content may denote any type of data being a target of an image forming job, such as a photograph, an image, a document file, or the like.
  • print data may denote data converted to a format printable by a printer.
  • a "scan file” may denote a file generated by scanning an image by a scanner.
  • a "user” may denote a person who performs manipulation related to an image forming job by using an image forming apparatus or a device connected to the image forming apparatus wirelessly or via wires.
  • a “manager” may denote a person who has authority to access all functions and systems of an image forming apparatus. A “manager” and a “user” may be the same person.
  • Examples of the disclosure are related to an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus using the account processing method.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example.
  • an image forming apparatus 100 may include a user interface device 110, a controller 120, a communicator 130, a memory 140, and an image forming job unit 150. Also, although not illustrated, the image forming apparatus 100 may further include a power supply for supplying power to each component.
  • the user interface device 110 may include an input unit for receiving an input for performing an image forming job from a user, and an output unit for displaying information, such as a result of performing an image forming job or a state of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user interface device 110 may include an operation panel for receiving a user input and a display panel for displaying a screen.
  • the input unit may include a device for receiving various types of user inputs, such as a keyboard, a physical button, a touch screen, a camera, a microphone, or the like.
  • the output unit may include, for example, a display panel, a speaker, or the like.
  • the user interface device 110 is not limited thereto, and may include any device supporting various inputs and outputs.
  • the controller 120 may control overall operations of the image forming apparatus 100, and may include at least one processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU).
  • the controller 120 may control the components included in the image forming apparatus 100 to perform an operation corresponding to a user input received through the user interface device 110.
  • the controller 120 may include at least one specialized processor for each function or may be an integrated processor.
  • the controller 120 may execute a program stored in the memory 140, read data or a file stored in the memory 140, or store a new file in the memory 140.
  • the communicator 130 may communicate with another device or a network via wired or wireless communication.
  • the communicator 130 may include a communication module, such as a transceiver, supporting at least one of various wired/wireless communication methods.
  • the communication module may be in a form of a chipset, or may be a sticker/barcode (for example, a sticker including a near field communication (NFC) tag) containing information required for communication.
  • NFC near field communication
  • the wireless communication may include at least one of, for example, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, ultra wideband (UWB), and NFC.
  • the wired communication may include at least one of, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) and a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI).
  • USB universal serial bus
  • HDMI high definition multimedia interface
  • the communicator 130 may be connected to an external device located outside the image forming apparatus 100 so as to transmit or receive a signal or data.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may be connected to a user terminal through the communicator 130.
  • the communicator 130 may transmit a signal or data received from the user terminal to the controller 120, or transmit a signal or data generated by the controller 120 to the user terminal.
  • the controller 120 may output the received print data through a printer 151.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram of an image forming apparatus connected to a user terminal or a server according to an example.
  • a user terminal 200 may include an input/output (I/O) unit 210, a controller 220, a communicator 230, and a memory 240.
  • the controller 220 may control an image forming job by executing a program stored in the memory 240 and transmitting a signal or data generated as a result to the image forming apparatus 100 through the communicator 230.
  • the user terminal 200 may include, for example, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a PC, a home appliance, a medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or the like.
  • the communicator 130 may be directly connected to the server 300 to transmit or receive signal or data. Also, the communicator 130 may be connected to the user terminal 200 through the server 300. In other words, the communicator 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit or receive a signal or data to and from the communicator 230 of the user terminal 200 through the server 300.
  • various types of data such as programs (for example, applications) and files, may be installed or stored in the memory 140.
  • the controller 120 may access and use the data stored in the memory 140 or store new data in the memory 140. Also, the controller 120 may execute a program stored in the memory 140 and may install an application received from an external source through the communicator 130 in the memory 140.
  • the image forming job unit 150 may perform an image forming job, such as printing, scanning, copying, or faxing.
  • the image forming job unit 150 includes the printer 151, a scanner 152, and a facsimile machine 153, but the image forming job unit 150 may include only some of them or may further include a component for performing another type of image forming job according to needs.
  • the printer 151 may form an image on a recording medium via any one of various printing methods, such as an electro-photography method, an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a thermo-sensitive method, or the like.
  • the scanner 152 may irradiate light onto paper and read an image recorded on the paper by receiving light reflected from the paper on an image sensor.
  • a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a contact type image sensor (CIS) may be employed as the image sensor reading the image from the paper.
  • the scanner 152 may have a flatbed structure, a document feed structure, or a combination thereof, wherein, in the flatbed structure, the paper is located at a fixed location and the image is read while the image sensor moves, and in the document feed structure, the image sensor is located at a fixed location and the paper is fed.
  • a component for scanning an image may be shared with the scanner 152, and a component for printing a received file may be shared with the printer 151.
  • the facsimile machine 153 may transmit a scan file to a destination or receive a file from an external source.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may include at least one of the above components, may not include some of the above components, or may further include an additional component.
  • the user interface device 110 of FIG. 1 may include an independent control system.
  • the user interface device 110 may include a control system (e.g., a controller and a memory) for controlling a user interface (UI) provided by the user interface device 110.
  • a control system e.g., a controller and a memory
  • UI user interface
  • OS operating system
  • UI and programs such as applications, for supporting various functions may be installed in the control system of the user interface device 110.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a user interface device according to an example.
  • the user interface device 110 may include a controller 111, a display 112, a manipulation panel 113, and a memory 114.
  • the user interface device 110 may include an independent control system (e.g., the controller 111 and the memory 114) separate from the controller 120.
  • the controller 111 and the memory 114 may control a user interface (UI) provided by the user interface device 110.
  • the controller 111 may be configured as a processor, such as a CPU, similar to the controller 120.
  • the user interface device 110 may include the memory 114 in which computer-executable instructions are stored, and at least one processor executing the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 114.
  • the display 112 may be configured as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an organic light-emitting display (OLED) panel, or the like, and the manipulation panel 113 may be configured as a physical button, a touch screen, or the like.
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • OLED organic light-emitting display
  • the user interface device 110 may be detachable from the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user interface device 110 may operate similar to a tablet when separated from the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user interface device 110 that is detachable may further include a communicator for communicating with an external device.
  • the user interface device 110 may control input and output functions of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • applications for supporting various functions may be installed in the user interface device 110 of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • an application provided by a third party is not authenticated according to an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100, but is separately authenticated according to an authentication service of an application service provider.
  • an account processing method wherein accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus are processed together by linking authentication of an application provided by a third party with authentication of an application provided by the image forming apparatus 100, and an image forming apparatus using the account processing method are described.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a controller of user interface device according to an example.
  • the controller 111 of the user interface device 110 may include at least one processor.
  • the controller 111 of the user interface device 110 may include a plurality of processors each performing at least one function, or an integrated processor performing a plurality of functions.
  • the controller 111 of the user interface device 110 may include an application executer 111a, an account manager 111b, an account detector 111c, an authentication processor 111d, and an account linkage setter 111e.
  • each of the application executer 111a, the account manager 111b, the account detector 111c, the authentication processor 111d, and the account linkage setter 111e may be realized as a processor.
  • the controller 111 of the user interface device 110 may include at least one processor capable of processing operations of at least two of the application executer 111a, the account manager 111b, the account detector 111c, the authentication processor 111d, and the account linkage setter 111e.
  • the application executer 111a, the account manager 111b, the account detector 111c, the authentication processor 111d, and the account linkage setter 111e are described separately.
  • the controller 111 of the user interface device 110 may include at least one processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions to set an account linkage between an account of a first application provided by a third party and an account of a second application included in the image forming apparatus 100, and when one of the account of the first application and the account of the second application is processed, processing the other account to which the account linkage is set.
  • the first application provided by the third party is an application installable in the image forming apparatus 100 upon receipt from an external source outside the image forming apparatus 100, and may be an application for a same operating system (OS) as an OS of the user interface device 110.
  • OS operating system
  • the first application may be an Android-based application.
  • the account of the second application included in the image forming apparatus 100 may be an account of the image forming apparatus 100 or an account of an application pre-installed while the image forming apparatus 100 is manufactured to be executed by the image forming apparatus 100.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device setting an account linkage according to an example.
  • the account detector 111c, the authentication processor 111d, and the account linkage setter 111e may operate in the user interface device 110.
  • the account linkage setter 111e may output a screen for setting the account linkage between the account of the first application and the account of the second application, and receive, from a user, information corresponding to setting values required for the account linkage.
  • the account linkage setter 111e may receive, from the user through the screen, account type information and login activity package information.
  • the account type information indicates a type of an application, such as a name of an application, and the login activity package information is used to display an authentication screen according to the authentication service of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the account detector 111c may register information used for the account linkage, and monitor information corresponding to the registered information.
  • the account detector 111c may register identification information of the first application, such as account type information of an application to be linked to the account of the second application, and monitor whether there is information corresponding to the identification information of the first application.
  • the authentication processor 111d may replace information about an account login screen of the second application with information about an account login screen of the first application such that the user may access the account login screen of the first application.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device sets an account linkage according to an example.
  • the user interface device 110 may provide a user interface for setting an authentication method of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the user may select a third-party application authentication method from the user interface in operation S605 to set an account linkage between the account of the first application provided by the third party and the account of the second application included in the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the account linkage setter 111e may output a screen for setting the account linkage in operation S610.
  • the account linkage setter 111e may obtain, from the user, the identification information of the first application to be linked to the account of the second application through the screen for setting the account linkage in operation S615.
  • the account linkage setter 111e may transmit the identification information of the first application to the account detector 111c in operation S620.
  • the account detector 111c may register the identification information of the first application to be linked to the account of the second application in operation S625. In order to process an account to which an account linkage is set, the account detector 111c may monitor identification information corresponding to the registered identification information.
  • the account linkage setter 111e may obtain, from the user, information about the account login screen of the first application through the screen for setting the account linkage in operation S630.
  • the account linkage setter 111e may transmit the information about the account login screen of the first application to the authentication processor 111d in operation S635.
  • the authentication processor 111d may replace information about the account login screen of the second application with the information about the account login screen of the first application in operation S640.
  • the user of the image forming apparatus 100 uses an authentication service for an application of a third party in conjunction with an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100, and thus the inconvenience of repeatedly performing authentication processes may be reduced.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device generating an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application according to an example.
  • the application executer 111a, the account manager 111b, the account detector 111c, and the authentication processor 111d may operate.
  • the application executer 111a may obtain a result of authenticating the first application and request the account manager 111b to generate the account of the first application.
  • the first application may be authenticated by an authentication server 400 outside the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the account manager 111b may generate the account of the second application according to the account linkage.
  • the account manager 111b may broadcast account information of the generated accounts.
  • the account detector 111c may request to log in to the account of the second application to which the account linkage is set.
  • the authentication processor 111d may request the controller 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 to authenticate the second application, and when the authentication succeeds, request the account manager 111b to generate the account of the second application.
  • FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device generates an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application according to an example.
  • the application executer 111a may request authentication of the first application according to an account login request of the first application in operation S805.
  • the first application may be authenticated according to an authentication service provided by an external source outside the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the first application may be authenticated by an authentication server outside the image forming apparatus 100, according to an authentication service of a first application service provider.
  • the application executer 111a may obtain a result of authenticating the first application in operation S810.
  • the application executer 111a may request the account manager 111b to generate the account of the first application in operation S815.
  • the account manager 111b may generate the account of the first application in operation S820.
  • the account manager 111b may broadcast the account information of the first application according to generation of the account of the first application in operation S825.
  • the account information of the first application may include identification information and user information of the first application.
  • the account detector 111c may make an inquiry about the broadcasted account information of the first application in operation S830.
  • the account detector 111c may, from a pre-registered identification information database of applications, make an inquiry about the identification information of the first application included in the account information of the first application received from the account manager 111b so as to determine whether the identification information of the first application corresponds to identification information of an application pre-registered for the account linkage.
  • the account detector 111c may request the authentication processor 111d to log in to the account of the second application in operation S835, when it is determined that the identification information of the first application corresponds to the identification information of the application pre-registered for the account linkage.
  • the authentication processor 111d may request the controller 120 to authenticate the second application to which the account linkage is set in operation S840, wherein the controller 120 performs an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the authentication processor 111d may obtain a result of authenticating the second application from the controller 120 in operation S845.
  • the authentication processor 111d may request the account manager 111b to generate the account of the second application in operation S850.
  • the account manager 111b may generate the account of the second application in operation S855.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device removing an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application according to an example.
  • the application executer 111a, the account manager 111b, the account detector 111c, and the authentication processor 111d may operate.
  • the authentication processor 111d may verify that the account of the second application is logged out and request the account manager 111b to remove the account of the second application.
  • the authentication processor 111d may transmit the account information of the second application to the account detector 111c to notify that the account of the second application has been removed.
  • the account detector 111c may make an inquiry about the account information of the second application, and when domain information included in the account information of the logged out second application corresponds to the identification information of the application pre-registered for the account linkage, request removal of the account of the first application to which the account linkage is set.
  • the account manager 111b may remove the account of the second application, identify authority of removing the account of the first application, and when the account of the first application is allowed to be removed, perform a certain process for removing an account from an application by invoking a function used for account removal.
  • the application executer 111a may request to log out of the account of the first application.
  • the application executer 111a may request the authentication server 400 providing the authentication service of the first application outside the image forming apparatus 100 to log out of the account of the first application.
  • FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device removes an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application according to an example.
  • the controller 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 may notify the authentication processor 111d that the account of the second application is logged out in operation S1005.
  • the authentication processor 111d may verify that the account of the second application has logged out in operation S1010.
  • the authentication processor 111d may request the account manager 111b to remove the account of the second application in operation S1015.
  • the account manager 111b may remove the account of the second application in operation S1020.
  • the authentication processor 111d may transmit the account information of the second application to the account detector 111c in operation S1025 to notify that the account of the second application has been removed.
  • the account detector 111c may make an inquiry about the account information of the second application in operation S1030.
  • the account detector 111c may, from a pre-registered identification information database of applications, make an inquiry about domain information included in the account information of the second application received from the authentication processor 111d, so as to determine whether the domain information included in the account information of the second application corresponds to identification information of an application pre-registered for the account linkage.
  • the account detector 111c may request removal of the account of the first application to which the account linkage is set in operation S1035.
  • the account manager 111b may identify authority to remove the account of the first application in operation S1040.
  • the account manager 111b may determine, in principle, that there is authority to remove an account when an authenticator signature for account removal and an authenticator signature for account generation are the same.
  • the account manager 111b may allow the removal of the account of the first application when the authenticator signature that requested account removal is the same as an authenticator signature of an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the account manager 111b may trust the authenticator signature of the authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100 because the authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100 is a pre-installed system application managing authentication of the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the account manager 111b may invoke a function used for account removal to remove the account of the first application and perform a certain process for removing an account from an application in operation S1045.
  • the account manager 111b may verify that the certain process for removing an account is completed from the application executer 111a in operation S1050.
  • the account manager 111b may complete the removal of the account of the first application in operation S1055.
  • the application executer 111a may request to log out of the account of the first application in operation S1060. Since the first application is authenticated according to the authentication service provided from an external source outside the image forming apparatus 100, the application executer 111a may request an authentication server providing the authentication service of the first application outside the image forming apparatus 100 to log out of the account of the first application.
  • the account of the second application included in the image forming apparatus 100 and the account of the first application provided by the third party are separately processed, and the user only logs out of the account of the second application, such as an account of the image forming apparatus 100, the account of the first application maintains a logged-in state, and thus another user may fraudulently use the logged-in account of the first application, thereby causing a security issue.
  • a security issue may be reduced or prevented.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may set the account linkage between the account of the first application provided by the third party and the account of the second application included in the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S1110.
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart of setting an account linkage in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may register the identification information of the first application to be linked to the account of the second application in operation S1210.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may replace information about the account login screen of the second application with information about the account login screen of the first application.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may also process the other account to which the account linkage is set in operation S1120.
  • the first application may be authenticated according to the authentication service provided by the external source outside the image forming apparatus 100
  • the second application may be authenticated according to the authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may generate the account of the second application in conjunction with the generation of the account of the first application after authenticating the first application according to the account login request of the first application.
  • FIG. 13 is a flowchart of generation of an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may request authentication of the first application according to the account login request of the first application in operation S1310.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may generate the account of the first application when the authentication of the first application succeeds.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may broadcast the account information of the first application.
  • the account information of the first application may include the identification information and user information of the first application.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may request authentication of the second application to which the account linkage is set, when the identification information of the first application included in the broadcasted account information of the first application corresponds to identification information of an application pre-registered for the account linkage.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may generate the account of the second application when the authentication of the second application succeeds.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may remove the account of the first application in conjunction with the removal of the account of the second application after the account of the second application is logged out.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may remove accounts of the plurality of first applications in conjunction with removal of the account of the second application when the accounts of the plurality of first applications are generated in the user interface device 110.
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart of removal of an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may remove the account of the second application while logging out of the account of the second application in operation S1410.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may request removal of the account of the first application to which the account linkage is set.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may allow the removal of the account of the first application when the authenticator signature that requested account removal is the same as the authenticator signature of the authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100.
  • the image forming apparatus 100 may remove the account of the first application when the removal of the account of the first application is allowed.
  • the examples described above may be embodied as computer-executable instructions and data on a computer-readable recording medium. At least one of the instructions and data may be stored in a form of a program code, and, when executed by a processor, may generate a certain program module to perform a certain operation.
  • Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-RWs, CD+RWs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, magnetic tape, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical data storage device, an optical data storage device, a hard disk, a solid-state disk (SSD), and any device capable of storing instructions or software, related data, a data file, and data structures and providing the instructions or software, the related data, the data file, and the data structures to a processor or a computer such that the processor or the computer may execute the instructions.
  • the computer-readable recording medium may be the memory 140 of the image forming apparatus 100 or the memory 114 of the user interface device 110.

Abstract

An image forming apparatus and account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus are provided. The method may include setting an account linkage between an account of a first application provided by a third party and an account of a second application included in the image forming apparatus.

Description

ACCOUNT PROCESSING METHOD FOR PROCESSING ACCOUNTS BETWEEN WHICH ACCOUNT LINKAGE IS SET IN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING ACCOUNT PROCESSING METHOD
The disclosure relates to an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus using the account processing method.
As technology develops, user interface devices included in image forming apparatuses are changing. A user interface device having a separate operating system (OS) is able to execute an application prepared for the same OS in an image forming apparatus. For example, an application developed for an Android OS is able to be executed in an image forming apparatus as long as the Android OS is installed in a user interface device of the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus is able to support various applications, and thus perform various jobs, expanding the functions of the image forming apparatus.
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain examples of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example;
FIG. 2 is a diagram of an image forming apparatus connected to a user terminal or a server according to an example;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a user interface device according to an example;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a controller of a user interface device according to an example;
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device setting an account linkage according to an example;
FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device sets an account linkage according to an example;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device generating an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application according to an example;
FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device generates an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application according to an example;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device removing an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application according to an example;
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device removes an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application according to an example;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of setting an account linkage in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of generation of an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example; and
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of removal of an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example.
Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
Hereinafter, various examples will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. The examples described may be modified and have different forms. For clear description of features of the examples, descriptions related to technologies well-known to one of ordinary skill in the art are omitted.
When a component is "connected" to another component, the component may be “directly connected” to the other component, or may be “connected” to the other component “via another component therebetween.” Also, when a component "includes" another component, the component may further include other components unless indicated otherwise.
While such terms as "first,” "second,” etc., may be used to describe various components, such components must not be limited to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.
Expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.
Throughout the specification, an "image forming job" may denote any one of various jobs (for example, printing, scanning, copying, and faxing) related to an image, such as forming of an image or generating/storing/transmitting of an image file, and a "job" may denote not only an image forming job, but may also denote a series of processes required to perform the image forming job.
Also, an "image forming apparatus" may denote any apparatus capable of performing an image forming job, such as a printer, a scanner, a copier, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), a display device, or the like.
Also, "hard copy" may denote an operation of outputting an image to a print medium, such as a piece of paper, and "soft copy" may denote an operation of outputting an image to a display device, such as a television (TV) or a monitor, or to a memory.
Also, "content" may denote any type of data being a target of an image forming job, such as a photograph, an image, a document file, or the like.
Also, "print data" may denote data converted to a format printable by a printer.
Also, a "scan file" may denote a file generated by scanning an image by a scanner.
Also, a "user" may denote a person who performs manipulation related to an image forming job by using an image forming apparatus or a device connected to the image forming apparatus wirelessly or via wires. Also, a "manager" may denote a person who has authority to access all functions and systems of an image forming apparatus. A "manager" and a "user" may be the same person.
Examples of the disclosure are related to an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus using the account processing method.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 according to an example may include a user interface device 110, a controller 120, a communicator 130, a memory 140, and an image forming job unit 150. Also, although not illustrated, the image forming apparatus 100 may further include a power supply for supplying power to each component.
The user interface device 110 may include an input unit for receiving an input for performing an image forming job from a user, and an output unit for displaying information, such as a result of performing an image forming job or a state of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the user interface device 110 may include an operation panel for receiving a user input and a display panel for displaying a screen.
In more detail, the input unit may include a device for receiving various types of user inputs, such as a keyboard, a physical button, a touch screen, a camera, a microphone, or the like. Also, the output unit may include, for example, a display panel, a speaker, or the like. However, the user interface device 110 is not limited thereto, and may include any device supporting various inputs and outputs.
The controller 120 may control overall operations of the image forming apparatus 100, and may include at least one processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU). The controller 120 may control the components included in the image forming apparatus 100 to perform an operation corresponding to a user input received through the user interface device 110. The controller 120 may include at least one specialized processor for each function or may be an integrated processor.
For example, the controller 120 may execute a program stored in the memory 140, read data or a file stored in the memory 140, or store a new file in the memory 140.
The communicator 130 may communicate with another device or a network via wired or wireless communication. In this regard, the communicator 130 may include a communication module, such as a transceiver, supporting at least one of various wired/wireless communication methods. For example, the communication module may be in a form of a chipset, or may be a sticker/barcode (for example, a sticker including a near field communication (NFC) tag) containing information required for communication.
The wireless communication may include at least one of, for example, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, ultra wideband (UWB), and NFC. The wired communication may include at least one of, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) and a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI).
The communicator 130 may be connected to an external device located outside the image forming apparatus 100 so as to transmit or receive a signal or data. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 may be connected to a user terminal through the communicator 130. The communicator 130 may transmit a signal or data received from the user terminal to the controller 120, or transmit a signal or data generated by the controller 120 to the user terminal. For example, when the communicator 130 receives a print command signal and print data from the user terminal, the controller 120 may output the received print data through a printer 151.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of an image forming apparatus connected to a user terminal or a server according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 2, a user terminal 200 may include an input/output (I/O) unit 210, a controller 220, a communicator 230, and a memory 240. The controller 220 may control an image forming job by executing a program stored in the memory 240 and transmitting a signal or data generated as a result to the image forming apparatus 100 through the communicator 230. The user terminal 200 may include, for example, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a PC, a home appliance, a medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or the like.
The communicator 130 may be directly connected to the server 300 to transmit or receive signal or data. Also, the communicator 130 may be connected to the user terminal 200 through the server 300. In other words, the communicator 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 may transmit or receive a signal or data to and from the communicator 230 of the user terminal 200 through the server 300.
Referring back to FIG. 1, various types of data, such as programs (for example, applications) and files, may be installed or stored in the memory 140. The controller 120 may access and use the data stored in the memory 140 or store new data in the memory 140. Also, the controller 120 may execute a program stored in the memory 140 and may install an application received from an external source through the communicator 130 in the memory 140.
The image forming job unit 150 may perform an image forming job, such as printing, scanning, copying, or faxing.
Referring to FIG. 1, the image forming job unit 150 includes the printer 151, a scanner 152, and a facsimile machine 153, but the image forming job unit 150 may include only some of them or may further include a component for performing another type of image forming job according to needs.
The printer 151 may form an image on a recording medium via any one of various printing methods, such as an electro-photography method, an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a thermo-sensitive method, or the like.
The scanner 152 may irradiate light onto paper and read an image recorded on the paper by receiving light reflected from the paper on an image sensor. A charge-coupled device (CCD) or a contact type image sensor (CIS) may be employed as the image sensor reading the image from the paper. The scanner 152 may have a flatbed structure, a document feed structure, or a combination thereof, wherein, in the flatbed structure, the paper is located at a fixed location and the image is read while the image sensor moves, and in the document feed structure, the image sensor is located at a fixed location and the paper is fed.
In the facsimile machine 153, a component for scanning an image may be shared with the scanner 152, and a component for printing a received file may be shared with the printer 151. The facsimile machine 153 may transmit a scan file to a destination or receive a file from an external source.
Names of the components of the image forming apparatus 100 may be changed. Also, the image forming apparatus 100 may include at least one of the above components, may not include some of the above components, or may further include an additional component.
The user interface device 110 of FIG. 1 may include an independent control system. In other words, in addition to the controller 120 of the image forming apparatus 100, the user interface device 110 may include a control system (e.g., a controller and a memory) for controlling a user interface (UI) provided by the user interface device 110. Also, an operating system (OS) for providing a UI and programs, such as applications, for supporting various functions may be installed in the control system of the user interface device 110.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a user interface device according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 3, the user interface device 110 may include a controller 111, a display 112, a manipulation panel 113, and a memory 114.
The user interface device 110 may include an independent control system (e.g., the controller 111 and the memory 114) separate from the controller 120. The controller 111 and the memory 114 may control a user interface (UI) provided by the user interface device 110. The controller 111 may be configured as a processor, such as a CPU, similar to the controller 120. The user interface device 110 may include the memory 114 in which computer-executable instructions are stored, and at least one processor executing the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 114.
The display 112 may be configured as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an organic light-emitting display (OLED) panel, or the like, and the manipulation panel 113 may be configured as a physical button, a touch screen, or the like.
In an example, the user interface device 110 may be detachable from the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the user interface device 110 may operate similar to a tablet when separated from the image forming apparatus 100. The user interface device 110 that is detachable may further include a communicator for communicating with an external device. The user interface device 110 may control input and output functions of the image forming apparatus 100.
As described above, applications for supporting various functions may be installed in the user interface device 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. In an example, an application provided by a third party is not authenticated according to an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100, but is separately authenticated according to an authentication service of an application service provider. Hereinafter, an account processing method, wherein accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus are processed together by linking authentication of an application provided by a third party with authentication of an application provided by the image forming apparatus 100, and an image forming apparatus using the account processing method are described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a controller of user interface device according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 111 of the user interface device 110 may include at least one processor. In other words, the controller 111 of the user interface device 110 may include a plurality of processors each performing at least one function, or an integrated processor performing a plurality of functions.
For example, the controller 111 of the user interface device 110 may include an application executer 111a, an account manager 111b, an account detector 111c, an authentication processor 111d, and an account linkage setter 111e. In the controller 111 of the user interface device 110, each of the application executer 111a, the account manager 111b, the account detector 111c, the authentication processor 111d, and the account linkage setter 111e may be realized as a processor. The controller 111 of the user interface device 110 may include at least one processor capable of processing operations of at least two of the application executer 111a, the account manager 111b, the account detector 111c, the authentication processor 111d, and the account linkage setter 111e. For convenience of description, the application executer 111a, the account manager 111b, the account detector 111c, the authentication processor 111d, and the account linkage setter 111e are described separately.
In an example, the controller 111 of the user interface device 110 may include at least one processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions to set an account linkage between an account of a first application provided by a third party and an account of a second application included in the image forming apparatus 100, and when one of the account of the first application and the account of the second application is processed, processing the other account to which the account linkage is set.
The first application provided by the third party is an application installable in the image forming apparatus 100 upon receipt from an external source outside the image forming apparatus 100, and may be an application for a same operating system (OS) as an OS of the user interface device 110. For example, when the user interface device 110 is an Android-based OS, the first application may be an Android-based application.
The account of the second application included in the image forming apparatus 100 may be an account of the image forming apparatus 100 or an account of an application pre-installed while the image forming apparatus 100 is manufactured to be executed by the image forming apparatus 100.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device setting an account linkage according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 5, in order to set an account linkage, the account detector 111c, the authentication processor 111d, and the account linkage setter 111e may operate in the user interface device 110.
The account linkage setter 111e may output a screen for setting the account linkage between the account of the first application and the account of the second application, and receive, from a user, information corresponding to setting values required for the account linkage. For example, the account linkage setter 111e may receive, from the user through the screen, account type information and login activity package information. As an example, the account type information indicates a type of an application, such as a name of an application, and the login activity package information is used to display an authentication screen according to the authentication service of the image forming apparatus 100.
The account detector 111c may register information used for the account linkage, and monitor information corresponding to the registered information. For example, the account detector 111c may register identification information of the first application, such as account type information of an application to be linked to the account of the second application, and monitor whether there is information corresponding to the identification information of the first application.
The authentication processor 111d may replace information about an account login screen of the second application with information about an account login screen of the first application such that the user may access the account login screen of the first application.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device sets an account linkage according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 6, the user interface device 110 may provide a user interface for setting an authentication method of the image forming apparatus 100. The user may select a third-party application authentication method from the user interface in operation S605 to set an account linkage between the account of the first application provided by the third party and the account of the second application included in the image forming apparatus 100.
The account linkage setter 111e may output a screen for setting the account linkage in operation S610.
The account linkage setter 111e may obtain, from the user, the identification information of the first application to be linked to the account of the second application through the screen for setting the account linkage in operation S615.
The account linkage setter 111e may transmit the identification information of the first application to the account detector 111c in operation S620.
The account detector 111c may register the identification information of the first application to be linked to the account of the second application in operation S625. In order to process an account to which an account linkage is set, the account detector 111c may monitor identification information corresponding to the registered identification information.
The account linkage setter 111e may obtain, from the user, information about the account login screen of the first application through the screen for setting the account linkage in operation S630.
The account linkage setter 111e may transmit the information about the account login screen of the first application to the authentication processor 111d in operation S635.
The authentication processor 111d may replace information about the account login screen of the second application with the information about the account login screen of the first application in operation S640.
In an example, the user of the image forming apparatus 100 uses an authentication service for an application of a third party in conjunction with an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100, and thus the inconvenience of repeatedly performing authentication processes may be reduced.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device generating an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 7, in order for the user interface device 110 to generate the account of the second application in conjunction with the generation of the account of the first application, the application executer 111a, the account manager 111b, the account detector 111c, and the authentication processor 111d may operate.
The application executer 111a may obtain a result of authenticating the first application and request the account manager 111b to generate the account of the first application. As an example, the first application may be authenticated by an authentication server 400 outside the image forming apparatus 100.
After generating the account of the first application, the account manager 111b may generate the account of the second application according to the account linkage. The account manager 111b may broadcast account information of the generated accounts.
When the identification information of the first application included in the broadcasted account information of the first application corresponds to identification information of an application pre-registered for the account linkage, the account detector 111c may request to log in to the account of the second application to which the account linkage is set.
The authentication processor 111d may request the controller 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 to authenticate the second application, and when the authentication succeeds, request the account manager 111b to generate the account of the second application.
FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device generates an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 8, the application executer 111a may request authentication of the first application according to an account login request of the first application in operation S805. The first application may be authenticated according to an authentication service provided by an external source outside the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the first application may be authenticated by an authentication server outside the image forming apparatus 100, according to an authentication service of a first application service provider.
The application executer 111a may obtain a result of authenticating the first application in operation S810.
The application executer 111a may request the account manager 111b to generate the account of the first application in operation S815.
The account manager 111b may generate the account of the first application in operation S820.
The account manager 111b may broadcast the account information of the first application according to generation of the account of the first application in operation S825. The account information of the first application may include identification information and user information of the first application.
The account detector 111c may make an inquiry about the broadcasted account information of the first application in operation S830. The account detector 111c may, from a pre-registered identification information database of applications, make an inquiry about the identification information of the first application included in the account information of the first application received from the account manager 111b so as to determine whether the identification information of the first application corresponds to identification information of an application pre-registered for the account linkage.
The account detector 111c may request the authentication processor 111d to log in to the account of the second application in operation S835, when it is determined that the identification information of the first application corresponds to the identification information of the application pre-registered for the account linkage.
The authentication processor 111d may request the controller 120 to authenticate the second application to which the account linkage is set in operation S840, wherein the controller 120 performs an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100.
The authentication processor 111d may obtain a result of authenticating the second application from the controller 120 in operation S845.
The authentication processor 111d may request the account manager 111b to generate the account of the second application in operation S850.
The account manager 111b may generate the account of the second application in operation S855.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a user interface device removing an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 9, in order for the user interface device 110 to remove the account of the first application in conjunction with removal of the account of the second application, the application executer 111a, the account manager 111b, the account detector 111c, and the authentication processor 111d may operate.
The authentication processor 111d may verify that the account of the second application is logged out and request the account manager 111b to remove the account of the second application. The authentication processor 111d may transmit the account information of the second application to the account detector 111c to notify that the account of the second application has been removed.
The account detector 111c may make an inquiry about the account information of the second application, and when domain information included in the account information of the logged out second application corresponds to the identification information of the application pre-registered for the account linkage, request removal of the account of the first application to which the account linkage is set.
The account manager 111b may remove the account of the second application, identify authority of removing the account of the first application, and when the account of the first application is allowed to be removed, perform a certain process for removing an account from an application by invoking a function used for account removal.
The application executer 111a may request to log out of the account of the first application. In an example, the application executer 111a may request the authentication server 400 providing the authentication service of the first application outside the image forming apparatus 100 to log out of the account of the first application.
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for describing processes by which a user interface device removes an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 may notify the authentication processor 111d that the account of the second application is logged out in operation S1005.
The authentication processor 111d may verify that the account of the second application has logged out in operation S1010.
The authentication processor 111d may request the account manager 111b to remove the account of the second application in operation S1015.
The account manager 111b may remove the account of the second application in operation S1020.
The authentication processor 111d may transmit the account information of the second application to the account detector 111c in operation S1025 to notify that the account of the second application has been removed.
The account detector 111c may make an inquiry about the account information of the second application in operation S1030. The account detector 111c may, from a pre-registered identification information database of applications, make an inquiry about domain information included in the account information of the second application received from the authentication processor 111d, so as to determine whether the domain information included in the account information of the second application corresponds to identification information of an application pre-registered for the account linkage.
When the domain information included in the account information of the logged out second application corresponds to the identification information of the application pre-registered for the account linkage, the account detector 111c may request removal of the account of the first application to which the account linkage is set in operation S1035.
The account manager 111b may identify authority to remove the account of the first application in operation S1040. The account manager 111b may determine, in principle, that there is authority to remove an account when an authenticator signature for account removal and an authenticator signature for account generation are the same. However, when the account of the first application is requested to be removed in conjunction with removal of the account of the second application but an authenticator signature that requested account removal is different from an authenticator signature that requested account generation, the account manager 111b may allow the removal of the account of the first application when the authenticator signature that requested account removal is the same as an authenticator signature of an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100. The account manager 111b may trust the authenticator signature of the authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100 because the authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100 is a pre-installed system application managing authentication of the image forming apparatus 100.
When the account of the first application is allowed to be removed, the account manager 111b may invoke a function used for account removal to remove the account of the first application and perform a certain process for removing an account from an application in operation S1045.
The account manager 111b may verify that the certain process for removing an account is completed from the application executer 111a in operation S1050.
The account manager 111b may complete the removal of the account of the first application in operation S1055.
The application executer 111a may request to log out of the account of the first application in operation S1060. Since the first application is authenticated according to the authentication service provided from an external source outside the image forming apparatus 100, the application executer 111a may request an authentication server providing the authentication service of the first application outside the image forming apparatus 100 to log out of the account of the first application.
When the account of the second application included in the image forming apparatus 100 and the account of the first application provided by the third party are separately processed, and the user only logs out of the account of the second application, such as an account of the image forming apparatus 100, the account of the first application maintains a logged-in state, and thus another user may fraudulently use the logged-in account of the first application, thereby causing a security issue. According to an example, by removing the account of the first application in conjunction with the logging out of the account of the second application, such as the account of the image forming apparatus 100, such a security issue may be reduced or prevented.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 11, the image forming apparatus 100 may set the account linkage between the account of the first application provided by the third party and the account of the second application included in the image forming apparatus 100 in operation S1110.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of setting an account linkage in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 12, the image forming apparatus 100 may register the identification information of the first application to be linked to the account of the second application in operation S1210.
In operation S1220, the image forming apparatus 100 may replace information about the account login screen of the second application with information about the account login screen of the first application.
Referring back to FIG. 11, when one of the account of the first application and the account of the second application is processed, the image forming apparatus 100 may also process the other account to which the account linkage is set in operation S1120. The first application may be authenticated according to the authentication service provided by the external source outside the image forming apparatus 100, and the second application may be authenticated according to the authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100.
For example, the image forming apparatus 100 may generate the account of the second application in conjunction with the generation of the account of the first application after authenticating the first application according to the account login request of the first application.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of generation of an account of a second application in conjunction with generation of an account of a first application in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 13, the image forming apparatus 100 may request authentication of the first application according to the account login request of the first application in operation S1310.
In operation S1320, the image forming apparatus 100 may generate the account of the first application when the authentication of the first application succeeds.
In operation S1330, the image forming apparatus 100 may broadcast the account information of the first application. The account information of the first application may include the identification information and user information of the first application.
In operation S1340, the image forming apparatus 100 may request authentication of the second application to which the account linkage is set, when the identification information of the first application included in the broadcasted account information of the first application corresponds to identification information of an application pre-registered for the account linkage.
In operation S1350, the image forming apparatus 100 may generate the account of the second application when the authentication of the second application succeeds.
As another example, the image forming apparatus 100 may remove the account of the first application in conjunction with the removal of the account of the second application after the account of the second application is logged out. When a plurality of first applications are installed in the user interface device 110 of the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 may remove accounts of the plurality of first applications in conjunction with removal of the account of the second application when the accounts of the plurality of first applications are generated in the user interface device 110.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of removal of an account of a first application in conjunction with removal of an account of a second application in an account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus according to an example.
Referring to FIG. 14, the image forming apparatus 100 may remove the account of the second application while logging out of the account of the second application in operation S1410.
In operation S1420, when the domain information included in the account information of the logged out second application corresponds to the identification information of the application pre-registered for the account linkage, the image forming apparatus 100 may request removal of the account of the first application to which the account linkage is set.
In operation S1430, when the account of the first application is requested to be removed in conjunction with the removal of the account of the second application but the authenticator signature that requested account removal and the authenticator signature that requested account generation are different, the image forming apparatus 100 may allow the removal of the account of the first application when the authenticator signature that requested account removal is the same as the authenticator signature of the authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus 100.
In operation S1440, the image forming apparatus 100 may remove the account of the first application when the removal of the account of the first application is allowed.
The examples described above may be embodied as computer-executable instructions and data on a computer-readable recording medium. At least one of the instructions and data may be stored in a form of a program code, and, when executed by a processor, may generate a certain program module to perform a certain operation. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-RWs, CD+RWs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, magnetic tape, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical data storage device, an optical data storage device, a hard disk, a solid-state disk (SSD), and any device capable of storing instructions or software, related data, a data file, and data structures and providing the instructions or software, the related data, the data file, and the data structures to a processor or a computer such that the processor or the computer may execute the instructions. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be the memory 140 of the image forming apparatus 100 or the memory 114 of the user interface device 110.
While one or more examples has been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.

Claims (20)

  1. An account processing method for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus, the account processing method comprising:
    setting an account linkage between an account of a first application provided by a third party and an account of a second application included in the image forming apparatus; and
    when one of the account of the first application and the account of the second application is processed, processing the other account to which the account linkage is set.
  2. The account processing method of claim 1,
    wherein authentication processing of the first application is performed in accordance with an authentication service provided by an external source outside the image forming apparatus, and
    wherein authentication processing of the second application is performed in accordance with an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus.
  3. The account processing method of claim 1, wherein the processing of the other account comprises generating the account of the second application in conjunction with generation of the account of the first application, after authenticating the first application according to an account login request of the first application.
  4. The account processing method of claim 3, wherein the processing of the other account further comprises:
    requesting authentication of the first application according to the account login request of the first application;
    when authentication of the first application succeeds, generating the account of the first application;
    broadcasting account information of the first application;
    when identification information of the first application included in the broadcasted account information of the first application corresponds to identification information of an application pre-registered for account linkage, requesting authentication of the second application to which the account linkage is set; and
    when authentication of the second application succeeds, generating the account of the second application.
  5. The account processing method of claim 1, wherein the processing of the other account comprises removing the account of the first application in conjunction with removal of the account of the second application, after logging out of the account of the second application.
  6. The account processing method of claim 5, wherein the processing of the other account further comprises:
    when logging out of the account of the second application, removing the account of the second application;
    when domain information included in account information of the logged out second application corresponds to identification information of an application pre-registered for account linkage, requesting removal of the account of the first application to which the account linkage is set; and
    when removal of the account of the first application is allowed, removing the account of the first application.
  7. The account processing method of claim 6, wherein the processing of the other account further comprises, when the account of the first application is requested to be removed in conjunction with the removal of the account of the second application but an authenticator signature that requested account removal and an authenticator signature that requested account generation are different, allowing the removal of the account of the first application when the authenticator signature that requested account removal is the same as an authenticator signature of an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus.
  8. The account processing method of claim 5, wherein the processing of the other account further comprises, when a plurality of first applications are installed in a user interface device of the image forming apparatus, removing accounts of the plurality of first applications in conjunction with the removal of the account of the second application.
  9. The account processing method of claim 1, wherein the setting comprises:
    registering identification information of the first application to be linked to the account of the second application; and
    replacing information about an account login screen of the second application with information about an account login screen of the first application.
  10. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon instructions for processing accounts between which an account linkage is set in an image forming apparatus, the non-transitory computer-readable recording medium comprising:
    instructions for setting an account linkage between an account of a first application provided by a third party and an account of a second application included in the image forming apparatus; and
    instructions for when one of the account of the first application and the account of the second application is processed, processing the other account to which the account linkage is set.
  11. An image forming apparatus comprising a user interface device, wherein the user interface device comprises:
    a memory in which computer-executable instructions are stored; and
    at least one processor to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
    set an account linkage between an account of a first application provided by a third party and an account of a second application included in the image forming apparatus; and
    when one of the account of the first application and the account of the second application is processed, process the other account to which the account linkage is set.
  12. The image forming apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:
    a communicator to request authentication processing of the first application according to an authentication service provided by an external source outside the image forming apparatus; and
    a controller to perform authentication processing of the second application according to an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus.
  13. The image forming apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor executes the computer-executable instructions to generate the account of the second application in conjunction with generation of the account of the first application after authenticating the first application according to an account login request of the first application.
  14. The image forming apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor executes the computer-executable instructions to:
    request authentication of the first application according to the account login request of the first application;
    when authentication of the first application succeeds, generate the account of the first application and broadcast account information of the first application;
    when identification information of the first application included in the broadcasted account information of the first application corresponds to identification information of an application pre-registered for account linkage, request authentication of the second application to which the account linkage is set; and
    when authentication of the second application succeeds, generate the account of the second application.
  15. The image forming apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a controller to:
    authenticate the second application according to an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus in response to a request to authenticate the second application; and
    when authentication of the second application succeeds, obtain user information corresponding to the account of the second application.
  16. The image forming apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor executes the computer-executable instructions to remove the account of the first application in conjunction with removal of the account of the second application, after logging out of the account of the second application.
  17. The image forming apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor executes the computer-executable instructions to:
    when logging out of the account of the second application, remove the account of the second application;
    when domain information included in account information of the logged-out second application corresponds to identification information of an application pre-registered for account linkage, request removal of the account of the first application to which the account linkage is set; and
    when removal of the account of the first application is allowed, remove the account of the first application.
  18. The image forming apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one processor executes the computer-executable instructions to, when the account of the first application is requested to be removed in conjunction with the removal of the account of the second application but an authenticator signature that requested account removal and an authenticator signature that requested account generation are different, allow the removal of the account of the first application when the authenticator signature that requested account removal is the same as an authenticator signature of an authentication service provided by the image forming apparatus.
  19. The image forming apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor executes the computer-executable instructions to, when a plurality of first applications are installed in a user interface device of the image forming apparatus, remove accounts of the plurality of first applications in conjunction with the removal of the account of the second application.
  20. The image forming apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor executes the computer-executable instructions to:
    register identification information of the first application to be linked to the account of the second application; and
    replace information about an account login screen of the second application with information about an account login screen of the first application.
PCT/KR2018/007860 2017-07-19 2018-07-11 Account processing method for processing accounts between which account linkage is set in image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus using account processing method WO2019017640A1 (en)

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KR1020170091596A KR20190009600A (en) 2017-07-19 2017-07-19 Method of processing account of accounts for which account interlocking is set in image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus using the same

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