JP2000020471A - Information equipment network system, collation method thereof, information equipment and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide an information device network system that can reduce time loss of user information management by causing a server to check user information from each device. SOLUTION: When using the composite office equipment, an LCD is used.
A message prompting for a user name is displayed at 100, and the operator waits until a card containing the user name is inserted by the operator. When a user name is entered by the card, a message prompting the operator to enter a password is displayed on the LCD 1.
Display at 00. Then, wait until the password is input. When a password is input, user data is created by adding a machine name to the user name and the password, and the user data is transmitted to the composite office device registered as a server via the network 19. Then, when the response is received from the server and the data is the access permission data, the operator performs an operation desired by himself using the LCD 100 and the Keys 101.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information equipment network system, a collation method thereof, an information equipment and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, copiers and facsimile machines (FA)
X), a composite office device that can be used as a scanner and an information processing device is known.

In order to use such a complex office device, a card storing a user name (department) is read into the complex office device, and then a password is set. The user information is determined by inputting from the operation panel and collating with the user information held in the complex office equipment.

[0004]

However, in the conventional complex office equipment, user information needs to be set for each equipment. Therefore, when a certain user uses a plurality of machines, the information is changed to the user information (for example, When a user name or a password is changed, information of all the related machines must be changed, resulting in a large time loss. In addition, there were cases where the change operation could not be performed uniformly on all the related machines.

Accordingly, the present invention reduces the time loss of user information management by allowing a server, which is a complex office device on a network, to manage user information and having the server confirm user information from each device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information device network system capable of reducing the number of devices and performing efficient operation, a matching method thereof, an information device, and a storage medium.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, an information equipment network system according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises an information equipment network in which a plurality of information equipment including a server are connected via a network. In the system, the information device includes input means for inputting user information, and transmission means for transmitting the input user information and machine information to the server, and the server transmits the user information and the machine information to the server. Managing means for managing; receiving means for receiving user information and machine information transmitted from the information device; collating the received user information and machine information with user information and machine information managed by the managing means. Determining means for determining whether to give permission to use the information device; and transmitting the determined result to the information. Characterized by comprising a transmitting means for transmitting to the device.

[0007] In the information equipment network system according to claim 2, in the information equipment network system according to claim 1, the plurality of information equipment transmits a configuration of the information equipment to the server at predetermined time intervals, The server registers and manages the transmitted configuration of the information device in a table.

[0008] In the information equipment network system according to the third aspect, in the information equipment network system according to the second aspect, when the configuration of the information equipment is not transmitted even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the server may transmit the information. The configuration of the device is deleted from the table.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information device network system according to the first aspect, the information device is a complex office device usable as a facsimile, a printer, a scanner, and an information processing device. Features.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for collating an information equipment network system, wherein user information of the information equipment is collated via a network to which a plurality of information equipment including a server is connected. Receiving user information input from the information device, transmitting the input user information and machine information to the server, and receiving the user information and machine information transmitted from the information device at the server. And comparing the received user information and machine information with managed user information and machine information,
A step of determining whether to give permission to use the information device; and a step of transmitting the determined result to the information device.

[0011] An information device according to claim 6 is an information device connected to a server via a network,
Input means for inputting user information, and transmission means for transmitting the input user information and machine information to the server, wherein the server manages the user information and the machine information; and A receiving unit that receives the user information and the machine information transmitted from the information device, and compares the received user information and the machine information with the user information and the machine information managed by the management unit, and uses the information device. It is characterized by comprising a determining means for determining whether or not to grant permission, and a transmitting means for transmitting the determined result to the information device.

A storage medium according to claim 7, which is mounted on an information equipment network system to which a plurality of information equipment including a server is connected via a network and stores a program executed by a CPU,
The program includes a procedure for receiving user information input from the information device, a procedure for transmitting the input user information and machine information to the server, and a user information and machine transmitted from the information device in the server. Receiving the information, checking the received user information and machine information with the managed user information and machine information, and determining whether to grant permission to use the information device. Transmitting the result to the information device.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an information equipment network system, a collation method thereof, an information equipment and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described. A plurality of composite office devices including a server are connected to the information device network system of the present embodiment via a network.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a composite office device as a server. It should be noted that the composite office equipment other than the server has substantially the same configuration, and any of the composite office equipment can be a server. In the present embodiment, a case is described in which a composite office device including a computer device 24 described later functions as a server.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a CP for controlling the apparatus.
U. Reference numeral 11 denotes a volatile and nonvolatile memory (M) in which a control program and data used for control are stored.
EM).

Reference numeral 12 denotes an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk for storing or storing programs and image data. Reference numeral 13 denotes an auxiliary storage device that can use a removable medium such as a floppy disk or a MOD (magneto-optical disk). Reference numeral 14 denotes an address bus and a system bus connecting the respective units.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a scanner for reading image data, and has a document feeder unit for feeding or discharging a plurality of documents to a document table. A printer 16 outputs image data to a recording medium such as paper. Reference numeral 17 denotes a modem, which exchanges data via a communication line.

Reference numeral 18 denotes this device and a LAN such as Ethernet
(Local area network) 19. Reference numeral 100 denotes a display device (LCD) such as an LCD for notifying an operator of an error or the like. Reference numeral 101 denotes various input keys (Keys) for an operator to input information or to instruct processing.
It is. It is also possible to use a touch panel instead of the input keys. Reference numeral 102 denotes a card reader for reading a card storing a user name.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information equipment network system in which a plurality of complex office equipment are connected via a network. In the figure, reference numeral 19 denotes a LAN such as the aforementioned Ethernet. Reference numerals 21, 22, and 23 denote complex office equipment. Reference numeral 24 denotes a computer device such as a PC, and reference numerals 15 and 16 denote scanners and printers connected to the computer device 24 as described above. Then, a composite office device as a server is constituted by the computer device 24, the scanner 15, and the printer 16.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a configuration notification processing procedure executed after the power is turned on in each of the composite office devices connected to the network.
This processing program is stored in the memory (M
EM) 11 and executed by the CPU 10.

FIG. 4 shows a memory (ME) of each complex office equipment.
3 is a table showing a configuration (device configuration) stored in M) 11. In the table shown in FIG. 4, KIND50 is the type of the connected device,
It contains information on whether the complex office equipment is a server machine (center machine) or a general machine on the network. SCANNER 51 is information on the presence or absence of a scanner and its attribute.

SCANNER. STAT 52 is the current status of the scanner. PRINTER 53 is information on the presence or absence of a printer and its attributes. PRINTER.
STAT 54 is the current status of the printer.

The MODEM 55 is information on the presence or absence of a modem and its attributes. MODEM. STAT 56 is the current status of the modem. USER 57 is information on the user using the device, and includes security information. LASTTIME 58 is the latest time when this table was updated.

As shown in FIG. 3, after the power is turned on, the composite office equipment 21 to 23 or the computer equipment 24 connected to the network performs its own startup processing (step S30). Information about its own configuration is transmitted to the network 19 via the transceiver 18.
Broadcast upward (step S31). While determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S3
2) This process is repeated until the power is turned off.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a configuration management processing procedure of the computer device 24 as a server for receiving information. This processing program is stored in the memory (MEM) 11 in the computer device 24, and is executed by the CPU 10. If the computer device 24 is not a server, another complex office device performs this processing. First, it is determined whether a packet transmitted from each complex office device via the transceiver 18 via the network 19 has been received (step S4).
0).

If no packet has been received, the process of step S40 is repeated. On the other hand, when a packet is received, it is determined whether or not the packet is configuration information (step S41). If it is not the configuration information, the packet is processed (step S43), and the process returns to step S40.

On the other hand, if it is configuration information, the configuration information shown in FIG. 4 is tabulated for each device (step S42). Search all other configuration tables and LAST
By comparing the TIME 58 with the current time, it is determined whether or not there is any data that has not been updated for a certain period of time (step S44).

If there is a device that has not been updated for a certain period of time or longer, it is considered that the device is not connected to the network due to power off or the like, and the table is stored in the memory (ME
M) and delete it from step 11 (step S45). Thereafter, the process returns to step S40, and the same processing is repeated.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a user information table used for user authentication in the composite office equipment (computer equipment 24) as a server. Only one server is set in a network composed of a plurality of complex office devices, and the table shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the memory (MEM) 11 of the server machine.

In the figure, NUMOFUSER 60 is the number of user information. Reference numeral 65 denotes user information per user, which is composed of information including 61, 62, 63, and 64. 66 is the next user information. As the user information, a number of pieces of information indicated by NUMOFUSER 60 are tabulated.

USERNAME 61 is a user name,
PASSWORD 62 is a password. FLAG6
Reference numeral 3 denotes a user type, which indicates whether the user is an administrator or an ordinary user. NAMES6
Reference numeral 4 denotes a machine name permitted to use.

When an operator uses this apparatus, it is a principle that the card reader 102 reads a card storing a user name for identification.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a panel operation performed by the operator when using the composite office equipment. This processing program is stored in the memory (MEM) 11 of each complex office device,
Performed by The LCD 100 displays a message "Please enter a user card" prompting for a user name. First, it is determined whether or not the card storing the user name is read by the card reader 102 by the operator (step S70).

If the card has not been read, the process returns to step S70, and waits until the card containing the user name is inserted. When the user name is entered by the card, a message "Please enter a password" is displayed on LCD 100 prompting the operator to enter a password (step S71).

It is determined whether or not a password has been entered (step S72), and the process waits until a password has been entered. When a password is input, user data (user information) is created by adding a machine name from the NAME 59 relating to the own device to the user name and the password, and the composite office device (computer device 24) registered as a server is connected to the network 19. (Step S73). Here, the server machine on the network 19 is set to the KIND 50 (see FIG. 4) indicating the configuration information of the complex office equipment on the network.

Then, the process waits until a response is received from the server (step S74). When a response is received from the server, it is determined whether or not the data is access permission data (step S75). If the data is the access permission data, the operator selects the LCD 100 and the Keys 10
1 to perform a desired operation (step S7).
7). Upon completion of the operation, the process returns to step S70, and waits until a new operator inputs a user name.

On the other hand, if the data received in step S75 is the access-disallowed data, an error message such as "the input user is not permitted" is displayed on LCD 100 (step S76), and step S76 is performed.
It returns to the process of 70.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a user authentication processing procedure executed by the server machine. This processing program is stored in the memory (MEM) 11 in the computer device 24 as a server, and is executed by the CPU 10. First, it is determined whether or not a packet has been received (step S80).
Step S80 is repeated.

On the other hand, if a packet has been received, it is determined whether or not the packet is the user data described above (step S81). If it is not user data, the packet is processed (step S82), and step S80 is performed.
Return to the processing of.

On the other hand, in the case of the user data, it is determined whether or not the same user name as the transmitted user name is in USERNAME 61 of the user information table shown in FIG. 6 (step S83). If it is not registered in the user information table, data for which access is not permitted is created and transmitted to the source of the user data (step S87).

On the other hand, if the user name is registered, the transmitted password is the same as the USERNAME found earlier.
It is determined whether or not it matches the PASSWORD 62 of the user information 61 (step S84). If they do not match,
In step S87, the data of access denied is transmitted.
On the other hand, if the passwords match, it is determined whether or not the transmitted machine name is registered in the NAMES 64 of the user information (step S85). If it has not been registered, it transmits the access-disallowed data (step S87), and if it has been registered, it creates the access-permitted data and sends it to the sender (step S86).

As described above, the transmission source waits until the data is received in step S74, and upon receipt, determines in step S75 whether the data is access permission data. If the data is access permission data, the operator
Perform the desired operation using the CD 100 and the Keys 101. On the other hand, if the received data is the access-disallowed data, an error message such as “the input user is not permitted” is displayed on LCD 100.

It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system. In this case, by reading out a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into a system or an apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a memory (MEM) such as a nonvolatile ROM is used as a storage medium.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a memory map of program modules stored in the memory of the server and the composite office equipment other than the server. The memory of the composite office equipment other than the server stores the configuration notification processing module shown in FIG. 3 and the panel operation module shown in FIG. 7 (FIG. 9A), and the composite office equipment (computer equipment) as a server The configuration management module shown in FIG. 5 and the user authentication processing module shown in FIG. 8 are stored in the memory 24) (FIG. 9).
(B)). Here, the server may store the program module shown in FIG. 9A in the memory, and perform the same processing as that of the complex office equipment other than the server.

The storage medium for supplying such a program module is not limited to a memory such as a ROM. For example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DV
D, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

[0046]

According to the information equipment network system according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the information equipment, the user information is input by the input means, and the input user information and machine information are transmitted by the transmission means. To the server, the server manages the user information and the machine information by a management unit, receives the user information and the machine information transmitted from the information device by a reception unit, and receives the user information and the machine information by the determination unit. The user information and the machine information are compared with the user information and the machine information managed by the management means to determine whether to grant permission to use the information device, and the result determined by the transmission means is referred to as the information. Since the information is transmitted to the devices, the user information is managed by the server, which is a complex office device on the network. Luo user confirmation information by causing a server, it is possible to reduce the time loss of the user management information, it is possible to achieve an efficient operation. Note that the same effect can be obtained in the information device network system collation method according to claim 5 and the information device according to claim 6.

According to the information device network system of the present invention, the plurality of information devices transmit the configuration of the information device to the server at predetermined time intervals, and the server transmits the configuration of the information device to the server. Since the configuration of the information device is registered and managed in the table, the server can grasp the latest configuration of the information device.

According to the information equipment network system of the third aspect, if the configuration of the information equipment has not been transmitted even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the server reads the configuration of the information equipment from the table. Since it is deleted, for example, the configuration of information devices that are turned off can be omitted,
Information devices can be easily managed.

According to the information equipment network system of the present invention, since the information equipment is a composite office equipment usable as a facsimile, a printer, a scanner, and an information processing apparatus, the operation of a plurality of composite office equipment is performed. It can be performed efficiently.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, a plurality of information devices including a server are mounted on an information device network system connected via a network, and
A storage medium for storing a program executed by the server, wherein the program receives user information input from the information device, transmits the input user information and machine information to the server, Receiving the user information and machine information transmitted from the information device, collating the received user information and machine information with managed user information and machine information, and granting permission to use the information device. Since the procedure includes a procedure of determining whether or not the information device is included and a procedure of transmitting the determined result to the information device, the versatility and expandability of the information device network system can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a composite office device as a server.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information device network system in which a plurality of complex office devices are connected via a network.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a configuration notification processing procedure executed after the power is turned on in each composite office device connected to the network.

FIG. 4 is a table showing a configuration stored in a memory (MEM) 11 of each complex office device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a configuration management processing procedure of a computer device 24 as a server that receives information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a user information table used for user authentication in a composite office device (computer device 24) as a server.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a panel operation performed when the operator uses the composite office equipment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a user authentication processing procedure executed by the server machine.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a memory map of program modules stored in a memory of a server and a composite office device other than the server.

[Description of Signs] 10 CPU 11 Memory (MEM) 19 LAN 21, 22, 23 Complex Office Equipment 24 Computer Equipment

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shigeki Konno 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yoshiji Kanemoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Stock Inside the company (72) Inventor Junichi Shishizuka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masaki Kashiwagi 3-30-2, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (Reference) 5B085 AC03 AC04 AE01 AE12 AE23 BG07 5B089 GA16 GA26 JB01 KA13 KA15 KA17 KB02 KC29 LB04 LB14 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA13 AA35 AB01 AB20 AB38 AB42 AC23 AC35 AC36 AC41 AC58 AE00 AF00 AF06 AF12

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An information device network system in which a plurality of information devices including a server are connected via a network, wherein the information device includes: an input unit for inputting user information; A transmitting unit for transmitting to the server; a server for managing the user information and the machine information; a receiving unit for receiving the user information and the machine information transmitted from the information device; Comparing the user information and the machine information with the user information and the machine information managed by the management means, and determining whether or not to grant permission to use the information device; and An information device network system, comprising: a transmission unit for transmitting to an information device. 2. The information device transmits the configuration of the information device to the server at predetermined time intervals, and the server registers and manages the transmitted configuration of the information device in a table. 2. The information equipment network system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The server according to claim 2, wherein the server deletes the configuration of the information device from the table when the configuration of the information device is not transmitted even after the predetermined time has elapsed. Information equipment network system. 4. The information equipment network system according to claim 1, wherein said information equipment is a composite office equipment usable as a facsimile, a printer, a scanner, and an information processing apparatus. 5. A collating method for an information device network system for collating user information of an information device via a network to which a plurality of information devices including a server are connected, wherein the step of receiving user information input from the information device is performed. Transmitting the input user information and machine information to the server; receiving the user information and machine information transmitted from the information device by the server; and transmitting the received user information and machine information to the server. Comparing the managed user information and machine information to determine whether to grant permission to use the information device, and transmitting the determined result to the information device. The collation method of the information equipment network system. 6. An information device connected to a network together with a server, comprising: input means for inputting user information; and transmitting means for transmitting the input user information and machine information to the server. A managing unit that manages the user information and the machine information; a receiving unit that receives the user information and the machine information transmitted from the information device; and the received user information and the machine information are managed by the managing unit. Discriminating means for collating with the user information and the machine information obtained, and discriminating whether or not to grant permission to use the information device, and transmitting means for transmitting the discriminated result to the information device. Information equipment. 7. A storage medium mounted on an information device network system to which a plurality of information devices including a server are connected via a network and storing a program executed by a CPU, wherein the program is input from the information device. Receiving the received user information and machine information; transmitting the input user information and machine information to the server; receiving the user information and machine information transmitted from the information device by the server; Comparing the determined user information and machine information with the managed user information and machine information, and determining whether to grant permission to use the information device; and transmitting the determined result to the information device. And a storage medium.