JP2008107975A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system allowing setting of a security level by simple setting operation without requiring expert knowledge related to security or an image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming system for executing image formation processing by use of the image forming device connected to a client terminal has: a display means displaying a selection screen of the stepwise preset security level with the use number of the client terminals to the image forming device as a reference; a selection means selecting the security level displayed on the display means; and an execution means executing the security of the security level selected by the selection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system that executes an image forming process using an image forming apparatus connected to a client terminal.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral having a printer function executes an image forming process based on image data output from the personal computer by connecting the personal computer or the like to the image forming apparatus. Yes.

  On the other hand, such an image forming apparatus receives image data from the personal computer until the actual image forming process based on the image data output from the personal computer is completed. The internal memory is mounted since the image forming process on the image forming apparatus side is also slowed down.

  The internal memory temporarily stores the image data output from the personal computer, thereby enabling the personal computer to return to work instantaneously and at the same time, enabling high-speed image forming processing.

  However, recent image forming systems have various usage forms such as use in an intranet connection environment in which an image forming apparatus is connected to a plurality of personal computers, and use in an Internet connection environment.

  Therefore, in the case of an image forming apparatus equipped with an internal memory as described above, there has been a concern that information stored in the internal memory will be leaked by an intruder from the outside.

For this reason, most of the devices that enable the security setting for the image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-038466 A

  However, the above-described security setting is actually becoming more complicated with the advancement of the level. For example, in order to set a security level when a trader carries in an image forming apparatus, In addition to the technology of the image forming apparatus itself, there has been a problem that security settings cannot be made unless the security technology such as network communication is understood.

  In addition, even if a person who has acquired knowledge about security technology tries to set security, there is a problem that a desired security setting cannot be made without knowing the technology of the image forming apparatus.

  Further, there is a problem that security cannot be set unless the environment (such as a network environment) in which the image forming apparatus is installed and used is known.

  Moreover, security setting operations are complicated due to a wide range of security setting items due to technologically advanced factors such as security, and various settings and optional equipment installation associated with the multifunctionalization of image forming apparatuses Considering the work, the work time required for the installation work becomes enormous, and there arises a problem that image formation output cannot be performed for a long time in the case of replacement by purchase.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming system capable of setting a security level with a simple setting operation without requiring specialized knowledge about security or an image forming apparatus. And

  The image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system that executes an image forming process using an image forming apparatus connected to a client terminal, stepwise in advance with reference to the number of client terminals used with respect to the image forming apparatus. Display means for displaying a selection screen for the set security level, selection means for selecting the security level displayed on the display means, and execution means for executing security at the security level selected by the selection means Yes.

  At this time, the display means displays, as an image icon, a selection button for a security level set in a stepwise manner based on the number of the client terminals used as a reference.

  The display means displays a security detail setting sheet having a plurality of security setting items selectable by the selection means when the highest level is selected from the stepwise security levels, and the execution means Performs security of the security item selected by the selection means.

  The image forming system of the present invention can set the security level with a simple setting operation without requiring specialized knowledge about security or the image forming apparatus.

  Next, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a security setting screen of the image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a security detail setting screen of the image forming system according to the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart of system setting of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a personal computer 1 as a plurality of client terminals and a multi-function device 2 as an image forming apparatus are connected via a network 3. . The network 3 is managed by a network server 4 that also serves as a print server. Further, the network server 4 is also connected to the Internet via a router 5.

  The personal computer 1 includes a computer main body 6, a monitor 7, a keyboard 8, a mouse 9, and the like. An OS (operating system) and desired software are installed in the computer main body 6.

  The multi-function device 2 is provided with various drive systems and control circuits (not shown) related to image forming processing, and a display screen 10 such as a liquid crystal panel having a panel switch function and an operation switch unit 11. It has. The multi-function device 2 performs image forming processing using a printer function based on print data output from each personal computer 1 and has a copier function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function by reading an image. The multifunction device 2 can also be equipped with a mail transmission function for attaching image data read using an Internet FAX function or a scanner function to an e-mail if necessary.

  A printer driver for the multifunction device 2 is installed in the network server 4 so that the multifunction device 2 can be used as a network printer or the like.

  On the other hand, the multifunction device 2 has an HTTP server function so that security settings can be made from the personal computer 1 for the administrator of the multifunction device 2 separately from the printer driver installed in the network server 4. In addition, a user interface for displaying a Web page for security setting of the multifunction device 2 on the monitor 7 (display means) of the personal computer 1 for the administrator of the multifunction device 2 is provided.

  At this time, since the IP address is assigned to each personal computer 1 and the multifunction device 2 by the network server 4, the URL designation of the IP address assigned to the multifunction device 2 is performed by the browser installed in the personal computer 1. The security detailed setting sheet (see FIG. 3) can be displayed on the Web page.

  As for the initial security setting of the multifunction device 2, the security setting screen (see FIG. 2) may be displayed using the display screen 10 of the multifunction device 2 as a display means, and only the security detail setting sheet may be displayed on the monitor 7 as a web page. .

  FIG. 2 shows such an initial security level selection screen. The display screen 10 or the monitor 7 has an icon 12 for designating a level 1 setting as a small security and a level as a medium security. An icon 13 for designating the setting of 1 and an icon 14 for designating the setting of level 3 as large-scale security are displayed. These icons 12, 13, and 14 as selection buttons are used as operation means. A security level is selected by selecting and specifying using the display screen 10 or the mouse 9.

  Here, the level 1 of small-scale security assumes a case where one personal computer 1 is directly connected to the multifunction device 2 (or parallel connection of several personal computers 1), and data such as image data is stored. The encryption level is set.

  Note that data encryption is performed by, for example, encrypting a data flow in a communication layer such as HTTPS or FTPS based on SSL.

  The medium-scale security level 2 assumes that a plurality of (for example, 2 to 20) personal computers 1 are connected to the MFP 2 via a network, and the data encryption such as the above-described image data is performed. In addition, the sender filtering is set.

  Here, the state in which a plurality of personal computers 1 are network-connected to the multifunction device 2 is, for example, that a plurality of personal computers 1 and the multifunction device 2 are cable-connected and a plurality of personal computers 1 are connected. An environment in which a plurality of other personal computers 1 use the multifunction device 1 by sharing the setting so that any one of the personal computers 1 is connected to the multifunction device 2 by a cable and also serves as a print server. is assumed.

  Note that normal source filtering is performed by setting the IP address of the source terminal in the multifunction peripheral. In the present invention, settings are made so as to regulate connections from other than the network (other than other domains, etc.) to which the terminal (personal computer 1 or network server 4) of the multifunction machine administrator who performs device settings of the multifunction machine 2 belongs. .

  Further, level 3 of the large-scale security assumes a network configuration as shown in FIG. 1 and includes a network environment managed by a plurality of domain servers and the like.

  In the case of such a large-scale security level 3, as shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 2 displays an installation screen of “security ticket” as a security detailed setting sheet on the monitor 7.

  This “security ticket” stores in the multifunction device 2 setting values (setting items) when necessary settings are made on the assumption that the number of connected personal computers 1 is large (for example, 20 or more) in advance. Is.

  When this “security ticket” is installed by the multifunction machine administrator, the multifunction machine 2 rewrites all setting values related to security into security tickets.

  The multifunction machine administrator can also re-set only necessary parts according to his / her environment. Also, the MFP administrator can complete the security settings for installation locations where small- to medium-sized users exist with one click, and for installation locations where large-scale users exist, automatically. As a result, the time and man-hours required for setting up the multifunction machine can be reduced. Furthermore, the MFP administrator does not need to be aware of the environment information of the installation location, and the work burden of investigation, grasping and setting is reduced.

  As a result, the standby time until the start of use is shortened, and the user can use the multifunction device quickly after installation.

  Next, the security setting routine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The control (execution means) shown in this flowchart may be performed by the multifunction device 2 or the network server 4 (may be used in combination).

(Step S1)
In step S1, the hardware connection with the personal computer 1, the multifunction device 2, the network server 4 and the like is completed, and the printer driver for the multifunction device 2 is installed in the network server 4 and the like. 2, the security setting screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed in a state where the printer property screen or the like is displayed on the display screen on the multifunction device 2 or on the screen of the personal computer 1 or the like by the serviceman mode 2, and the process proceeds to step S 2. And migrate.

(Step S2)
In step S2, the multifunction machine administrator (or service person or the like) selects one of the icons 12, 13, and 14 from the security setting screen shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not there is an icon 12 (whether or not the icon 12 has been operated). If it is level 1, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is not level 1, the process proceeds to step S3.

(Step S3)
In step S3, the multifunction machine administrator (or service person or the like) selects one of the icons 12, 13, and 14 from the security setting screen shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not there is an icon 13 (whether or not the icon 13 has been operated). If it is level 2, the process proceeds to step S4. If it is level 3, the process proceeds to step S6.

(Step S4)
In step S4, with the selection of level 2, the multifunction device 2 sets the source filtering, and proceeds to step S5.

(Step S5)
(In step S5, with the selection of level 1 or level 2, the multi-function device 2 performs data encryption settings and ends the security level setting routine.

(Step S6)
In step S 6, the “Security Ticket” installation screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed in accordance with the selection of security level 3, and the multifunction device 2 executes the security level corresponding to the setting when this setting is completed.

  As described above, the protocols installed in the MFP 2 in recent years have complicated setting items such as IPsec, SSL, etc., and specialized knowledge is required for the setting, and the setting of the MFP 2 is the host. If the security level is low while the above tools or Web pages are used for input of setting items, an approximate security level should be set based on the number of connected personal computers 1 and the like. Therefore, simple security setting work can be realized without having specialized knowledge.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the security level assumed by the number of connected personal computers 1 is, for example, whether the multifunction machine 2 uses the FAX function (whether external communication is possible) or is used in an Internet connection environment. Even if the icons 12 and 13 are set to a small / medium scale environment setting, for example, if the FAX function is provided, the level of data encryption is strengthened. For example, the security level can be improved by executing user authentication.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming system of the present invention is applied to the multi-function device 2. However, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer dedicated machine or a facsimile dedicated machine. . Also, the icons 12, 13, and 14 shown in FIG. 2 may be characters such as the number of connected personal computers 1 and the number of users.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the security setting screen of the image forming system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the security detailed setting screen of the image forming system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a flowchart of system settings of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Personal computer (client terminal)
2. Multi-function machine (image forming device)
7 ... Monitor (display means)
9 ... Mouse (selection means)
10. Display screen (display means / selection means)
12 ... Icon (select button)
13 ... Icon (select button)
14 ... Icon (select button)

Claims (3)

In an image forming system that executes an image forming process using an image forming apparatus connected to a client terminal,
Display means for displaying a security level selection screen set in advance on the basis of the number of client terminals used for the image forming apparatus;
Selecting means for selecting the security level displayed on the display means;
An image forming system comprising: execution means for executing security at a security level selected by the selection means.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays, as an image icon, a selection button for a security level set in a stepwise manner based on the number of the client terminals used. The display means displays a security detailed setting sheet having a plurality of security setting items that can be selected by the selection means when the highest level is selected from the stepwise security levels,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes security of a security item selected by the selection unit.

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