JP2010058469A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

An information processing apparatus having an image reading function and a printing function increases the degree of freedom of user authentication.
An information processing apparatus including an image reading unit and a printing unit and capable of executing a plurality of processes including any one of a printing process, an image reading process, and a copying process, using predetermined authentication information User authentication means for performing user authentication, apparatus setting management means capable of setting whether or not user authentication is required for execution of processing for each of a plurality of processes, and accepting designation of processes to be executed, and based on settings Processing acceptance means for judging whether or not user authentication is necessary.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus having an image reading function and a printing function and capable of executing a plurality of processes including any one of a printing process, an image reading process, and a copying process.

  In an information processing apparatus such as a printing apparatus, user management for identifying a user by performing authentication at login is widely performed. In addition to a conventional printing function, a printing apparatus that functions as a so-called multi-function peripheral by providing an image reading function has become widespread.

For example, as described in Patent Document 1, user management in a multifunction device is controlled such that all functions of the multifunction device can be used with a single authentication data input.
JP-A-2005-141313

  User authentication is often necessary from the viewpoint of security, but on the other hand, it is desirable not to perform unnecessary user authentication because the load on the user due to login processing increases. Further, for example, there is a case where a printing function that consumes resources performs user authentication, and an image reading function that does not consume resources does not require user authentication. Furthermore, when a user is specified by user authentication, information regarding which user has performed what processing can be easily acquired, and personal information can be easily collected, which may be undesirable. However, conventionally, since user authentication is required uniformly for all functions, freedom of user authentication is low, and the above-described requirements cannot be satisfied.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to increase the degree of freedom of user authentication in an information processing apparatus having an image reading function and a printing function.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that includes an image reading unit and a printing unit, and is capable of performing a plurality of processes including any one of a printing process, an image reading process, and a copying process. User authentication means for performing user authentication using predetermined authentication information, and apparatus setting management means for setting whether or not the user authentication is required for execution of the process for each of the plurality of processes. And a process accepting means for accepting designation of a process to be executed and determining the necessity of user authentication based on the setting.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to set whether or not user authentication is required for execution of processing for each process, so that the degree of freedom of user authentication can be increased.

  The history management unit further includes a history management unit that records a history related to the executed process, and the history management unit associates the process set as necessary for execution of the user authentication with the user specified by the user authentication. The process history may be recorded without associating the process with the process set as not requiring user authentication for execution. As a result, user management can be performed without collecting personal information more than necessary.

  At this time, the history management unit does not associate the user authentication required for execution with the user specified by the user authentication even if the user authentication is performed in advance. It is desirable to record the history of the process.

  Further, the user authentication means further performs administrator user authentication using predetermined administrator authentication information, and the process management means accepts the setting from a user authenticated as the administrator user. It is desirable to do.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the freedom degree of user authentication can be raised in the information processing apparatus provided with the image reading function and the printing function.

<System configuration>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an example in which the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a printing apparatus. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a network printing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the network printing system is configured by connecting a printing apparatus 10 and a plurality of personal computers (PCs) 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d (hereinafter represented by the PC 20) to a computer network 70. . The computer network 70 can typically be a LAN (Local Area Network). However, the present invention is not limited to the network printing system, but can also be applied to a stand-alone printing system in which the PC 20 and the printing apparatus 10 are locally connected, or a printing system configured by the printing apparatus 10 alone.

  The printing apparatus 10 is a so-called multi-function machine, and in addition to a printer function for performing printing based on print data sent from the PC 20, a copy function and a document table for performing copy printing by reading an image of a document placed on the document table. Is provided with a scanner function for reading an image of a document placed on the PC and transmitting it to the PC 20. Further, a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image data by connecting to a telephone line may be further provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functional configurations of the printing apparatus 10 and the PC 20 in the network printing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus 10 includes a print execution unit 110, an image reading unit 120, an image processing unit 130, a setting management unit 140, a job management unit 150, an operation panel 160, a communication processing unit 170, and an IC card reader 180. I have. The image processing unit 130, the setting management unit 140, and the job management unit 150 that perform control processing in the printing apparatus 10 are functional modules such as a CPU, a memory, an image processing apparatus, and a hard disk device provided in the printing apparatus 10, for example. Can be configured.

  The print execution unit 110 has a printing mechanism that performs a printing operation by forming an image on printing paper using an image forming medium. In this embodiment, it is assumed that an ink jet printing mechanism is used in which ink is used as an image forming medium and ink is ejected line by line from a print head having a width covering a printing paper. However, a serial ink jet printing mechanism may be employed, or an electrophotographic printing mechanism may be employed in which toner is used as an image forming medium and printing is performed by fixing the toner onto a sheet. The print execution unit 110 also includes a printing paper supply / discharge mechanism and a transport mechanism.

  The image reading unit 120 includes a document table, a light receiving element, a light source, a lens, a scanning mechanism, and the like, reads image data of a document placed on the document table, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the image processing unit 130. The image reading unit 120 may be installed inside the casing of the printing apparatus 10 or may be installed independently outside the casing of the printing apparatus 10.

  The image processing unit 130 performs image processing on print data sent from the PC 20 or image data read by the image reading unit 120. The image processing performed by the image processing unit 130 is, for example, print data expansion processing, image data color conversion processing, binarization processing, halftone processing, and the like.

  The setting management unit 140 is a functional unit that manages various settings related to the printing apparatus 10 and various settings related to the user of the printing apparatus 10. The setting management unit 140 can accept these settings via a setting screen displayed on the operation panel 160. Also, the setting screen can be output as a web page and accepted via the browser unit 230 of the PC 20 described later. Details of the setting management unit 140 will be described later.

  The job management unit 150 manages jobs received from the user by the printing apparatus 10. The job includes a print job using a print function, an image reading job using a scanner function, a copy job using a copy function, and the like. Job management includes, for example, control of job execution order, error handling, log recording, and the like. Details of the job management unit 150 will be described later.

  As the operation panel 160, for example, a touch panel display device can be used. The operation panel 160 displays an operation menu and setting contents of the printing apparatus 10, and receives an instruction from the user via the operation menu.

  The communication processing unit 170 performs protocol processing corresponding to the connection form in order to communicate with the PC 20 via the computer network 70. For example, in the case of LAN connection, communication processing by TCP / IP is performed.

  The IC card reader 180 reads information recorded on the IC card 40. In the present embodiment, user identification information registered as a user is recorded on the IC card 40, and the IC card 40 is read by the IC card reader 180, whereby user authentication can be performed. However, the medium for recording user identification information used for user authentication is not limited to the IC card 40. For example, a USB memory, an RF tag, or other recording medium can be used. In this case, the printing apparatus 10 uses a reading device corresponding to the recording medium.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 20 includes a printer driver unit 210, a scanner driver unit 220, a browser unit 230, and a communication processing unit 240. The PC 20 has basic operations such as a user interface, file management, and user management defined by an operating system (not shown). Generally, an operating system has a login function, and a user of the PC 20 can be specified by a login ID or the like.

  The printer driver unit 210 is formed by the CPU of the PC 20 executing a printer driver program developed for the printing apparatus 10. Based on an instruction from the user, the printer driver unit 210 generates print data based on a document to be printed and outputs the print data to the printing apparatus 10.

  The scanner driver unit 220 is formed by the CPU of the PC 20 executing a scanner driver program developed corresponding to the image reading unit 120 of the printing apparatus 10. The scanner driver unit 220 performs processing for controlling image reading processing in the printing apparatus 10 based on an instruction from the user.

  The browser unit 230 has a function of displaying a Web page. In the present exemplary embodiment, the browser unit 230 displays a setting screen provided by the setting management unit 140 and the job management unit 150 of the printing apparatus 10 and a user on the setting screen. Is received and output to the setting management unit 140 and the job management unit 150.

  The communication processing unit 240 performs protocol processing corresponding to the connection form in order to communicate with the printing apparatus 10 via the computer network 70. For example, in the case of LAN connection, communication processing by TCP / IP is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the setting management unit 140 of the printing apparatus 10. As shown in the drawing, the setting management unit 140 includes a printing apparatus setting management unit 141, a setting table 142, a user information management unit 143, a user information management table 144, and a usage history management table 145.

  The printing apparatus setting management unit 141 functions as an apparatus setting management unit, receives various settings regarding the printing apparatus 10 from the administrator user, and records them in the setting table 142. The various settings related to the printing apparatus are, for example, network settings such as an IP address, settings related to optional functions, and the like. Each printer function, copy function, and scanner function includes a setting for whether or not login is necessary or not.

  In the printing apparatus 10, users are classified into general users and administrator users, and various settings relating to the printing apparatus 10 can be performed only by the administrator user. However, in the printing apparatus 10, the administrator user can have two login states: login as an administrator and login as a general user. In the login state as an administrator, in addition to various settings relating to the printing apparatus 10, user information registration change processing, job management processing, and the like can be performed, while in the login state as a general user, the printer function, copy function, and scanner function Only normal processing using can be performed.

  The user information management unit 143 receives information about a user who uses the printing apparatus 10 from a logged-in administrator user as an administrator, records the information in the user information management table 144, and uses the printing apparatus 10 for each user. Information on the situation is recorded in the use history management table 145. The user information management unit 143 also functions as a user authentication unit, and performs user authentication by login processing.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the user information management table 144 includes a user name 144a, a password 144b, a PC login ID 144c, a belonging group 144d, an administrator authority 144e, a printer mode permission 144f, a copy mode permission 144g, and a scanner mode permission 144h. For each user.

  Here, the password 144 b is authentication information used when logging in to operate the printing apparatus 10. The PC login ID 144c is authentication information when logging in to the printing apparatus 10 via the PC 20, and user identification information when logging in to the operating system of the PC 20 can be used. The affiliation group 144d is a category for managing users by group. The user information management unit 143 may manage information related to the group with another table (not shown). The administrator authority 144e is information indicating whether or not the user is an administrator user. The administrator user is not limited to one person, and a plurality of administrator users can be set.

  The printer mode permission 144f, the copy mode permission 144g, and the scanner mode permission 144h are information indicating whether the printer function is used, the copy function is used, and the scanner function is used. That is, the printing apparatus 10 can independently set whether or not to permit use of the printer function, use of the copy function, and use of the scanner function for each user. Further, detailed use restrictions such as a restriction on the number of printed sheets and a restriction on a color printing function may be set.

  The usage history management table 145 records the usage history of the printing apparatus 10 for each user. The contents of the usage history can be, for example, the total number of times of printing, the total number of times of copying, the total number of times of document reading, etc. during a predetermined counting period. However, a more detailed usage history may be recorded. For example, the use time, color / monochrome, page number, number of copies, etc. may be recorded for each use.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the job management unit 150 of the printing apparatus 10. As shown in the figure, the job management unit 150 includes a job reception unit 151, a job management control unit 152, a simple setting registration call unit 153, a log information management unit 154, a stored job management unit 155, and an end job management unit 156. Yes.

  The job reception unit 151 receives a job from the user. If the job is a new print job, the job is accepted by receiving print data from the PC 20. If the job content is a copy job or an image reading job, the job is accepted via the operation panel 160. As will be described later, the printing apparatus 10 has a function of accumulating / storing image data. If the job content is a print job of image data that has been accumulated / stored, a print job can be stored via the operation panel 160. Accept.

  The job management control unit 152 controls the execution of the accepted job. The job execution control includes, for example, job content analysis, job execution order management, job status management, job setting reception, and the like. Therefore, the job management control unit 152 includes a job setting reception unit 1521.

  The job setting accepting unit 1521 functions as a processing content setting accepting unit, and accepts job settings for designating processing content from the user for each job. The processing content received by the job setting receiving unit 1521 can be, for example, image reading settings such as document type, reading magnification, color mode, and reading quality if the job includes image reading processing. , Print settings such as print quality, paper supply / discharge device designation, paper size, double-sided / single-sided can be set.

  The simple setting registration calling unit 153 can individually register a plurality of job settings received by the job setting receiving unit 1521 for each user based on a registration instruction from the user. The registered job setting can be arbitrarily called by the registered user. By registering frequently used settings using the simple setting registration calling unit 153, the user can save the trouble of resetting each time a job is performed.

  The simple setting registration calling unit 153 includes a simple setting recording area 1531 for storing job settings registered for each user. . The simple setting recording area 1531 can be configured using, for example, a hard disk device.

  In the present embodiment, the simple setting registration calling unit 153 can register the job settings received from the administrator user for all the users based on the instructions of the administrator user, and can call them. That is, the administrator user can select whether or not to share the job setting to be registered with all users.

  In addition, the general user can individually register his / her job settings separately from the job settings shared and registered by the administrator user, up to the maximum number of job settings that can be registered. For example, if ten job settings can be registered for each user, and the administrator user sets three job settings as shared registration, it is possible to arbitrarily register up to seven of his own job settings. .

  The log information management unit 154 functions as a history management unit and records a log relating to a job executed by the printing apparatus 10. The log information management unit 154 includes a log information recording area 1541 for storing a log. The simple setting recording area 1541 can be configured using, for example, a hard disk device.

  The log information recording area 1541 can record a log corresponding to the job content. If the job content is a print job, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a job name 1541a, a status 1541b, an owner name 1541c, a printing time 1541d, a total page number 1541e, a copy number 1541f, and a reception date 1541g are recorded. When the job content is a copy job or an image reading job, items corresponding to the job are recorded.

  Here, the job name 1541a can be, for example, the name of a file to be printed, and the status 1541b can be, for example, normal termination, abort termination, error termination, etc., depending on the status at the end. The owner name 1541c is the name of the user who instructed the job. The printing apparatus 10 can specify the user name by the login process. As will be described later, for a job using a function that does not require login processing, log information is recorded without specifying an owner name. The reception date and time 1541g is the date and time when the print job is received.

  The stored job management unit 155 functions as a stored image data processing unit that stores image data based on a user instruction and calls the stored image data based on the user instruction. That is, the printing apparatus 10 stores, for example, print data sent from the PC 20 or image data based on an image read by the image reading unit 120 as a storage job based on a user instruction, and again print data Can be reprinted by calling the stored image data without transmitting the image or reading the image.

  At this time, the stored job management unit 155 can accept print settings from the user corresponding to the image data to be called. The print settings accepted are, for example, print density adjustment, print position adjustment, number of copies, and the like. Then, it is possible to receive an instruction as to whether to perform printing using the accepted print settings and whether to reflect the accepted print settings in the stored image data.

  The stored job management unit 155 includes a stored job recording area 1551 for recording image data in association with the user and, if necessary, print settings. The stored job recording area 1551 can be configured using, for example, a hard disk device.

  The end job management unit 156 functions as an accumulated image data processing unit that accumulates image data for which printing has been completed and calls the accumulated image data based on a user instruction. That is, for example, when printing data sent from the PC 20 or an image read by the image reading unit 120 is printed, the printing apparatus 10 stores the image data in, for example, a FIFO (first interface out) method. Accumulate up to a fixed amount or as an end job for a predetermined period, and store the stored image data without sending print data or reading the image again while the image data remains. Reprinting can be performed by calling.

  At this time, the end job management unit 156 can accept print settings from the user corresponding to the image data to be called. The print settings accepted are, for example, print density adjustment, print position adjustment, number of copies, and the like. Then, it is possible to receive an instruction as to whether to perform printing using the accepted print settings and whether to reflect the accepted print settings in the accumulated image data.

The end job management unit 156 includes an end job recording area 1561 for recording image data in association with the user and, if necessary, print settings. The end job recording area 1561 can be configured using, for example, a hard disk device.
<Login process>
Next, login processing in the printing apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, it is assumed that several users have already been registered by the administrator user.

  First, in the standby state, the printing apparatus 10 displays a standby screen 510 as shown in FIG. Note that when the printing apparatus 10 is accessed using the browser unit 230 of the PC 20, the same display is made on the display apparatus of the PC 20.

  On the standby screen 510, a login button 511, a printer button 512, a copy button 513, and a scanner button 514 are arranged. A printer button 512, a copy button 513, and a scanner button 514 are buttons that are selected when using the printer function, the copy function, and the scanner function, respectively.

  In this example, since the administrator user performs the setting that the login is necessary for using the printer function and the scanner function in the printing apparatus setting management unit 141 and the login is not necessary for using the copy function. In the non-logged-in state, buttons 512 and 514 for selecting the printer function and the scanner function are marked with a lock mark, indicating that they cannot be used. The button 513 for selecting the copy function can be used without being marked with a lock mark. The effect is shown.

  When the login button 511 is pressed on this screen (S101), the printing apparatus 10 displays a user selection screen 520 as shown in FIG. 9 on the operation panel 160 (S102). On the user selection screen 520, a list of user names 521 registered in the user information management table 144 is displayed in a selectable state, and a user who has pressed the login button 511 has a button on which his / her user name is written. Can be pressed.

  When receiving the selection of the user name, the printing apparatus 10 displays a password input screen 530 as shown in FIG. 10 on the operation panel 160 (S103). A key button group 531 is displayed on the password input screen 530, and the user who presses the login button 511 can input his / her password.

  Upon receiving the password input, the printing apparatus 10 determines whether or not authentication is possible by collating the password 144b recorded in the user information management table 144 with the input password (S104). Instead of inputting a password, authentication may be performed using an IC card 40 in which user identification information is recorded. In this case, by holding the IC card 40 over the IC card reader 180, information recorded on the IC card 40 can be read and authentication can be performed. Further, when logging in using the browser unit 230 of the PC 20, authentication may be performed by acquiring the login ID of the PC 20 via the operating system. In these cases, it is not necessary to enter a password.

  If the passwords do not match and authentication is not possible (S104: No), the user is prompted to input the password again. On the other hand, if the passwords match and are authenticated (S104: Yes), the administrator authority 144e of the authenticated user is acquired with reference to the user information management table 144, and the authenticated user is the administrator user. Is determined (S105).

  As a result, if the user is not an administrator user (S105: No), login is permitted as a general user (S111). FIG. 11 shows an example of a general user login screen 540 displayed on the operation panel 160 when logging in as a general user. On the general user login screen 540, a logout button 541, an icon 542 indicating a general user, a printer button 543, a copy button 544, and a scanner button 545 are arranged. The general user in this example is permitted to use the printer function and the copy function by the administrator user, and is not permitted to use the scanner function. For this reason, the scanner button 545 is grayed out and cannot be selected. The general user can select a function to be used on the general user login screen 540 and perform processing. After the processing is completed, when the logout button 541 is pressed (S112: Yes), the logout is performed and the printing apparatus 10 returns to the display of the standby screen 510 (S101).

  On the other hand, if the user is an administrator user (S105: Yes), first, the administrator is normally logged in (S106). The administrator normal login state is a state in which operations relating to administrator settings cannot be performed, and is a state in which the printer function, the copy function, and the scanner function can be used in the same manner as a general user. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a complicated menu for administrator setting that is unnecessary in normal operation from being displayed or inadvertently changing the setting of the printing apparatus 10.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the administrator normal login screen 550 displayed on the operation panel 160 in the administrator normal login state. The administrator normal login screen 550 has a logout button 551, an icon 552 having the same shape as an icon 542 indicating that the user is not logged in as an administrator, a printer button, a copy button, a scanner button, and a management button. An administrator login button 553 and an administrator setting button 554 are arranged. Even an administrator user need only select a function to be used on the administrator normal login screen 550 and perform processing when performing a normal operation of the printer / copy / scanner. After the processing is completed, when the logout button 551 is pressed (S107: Yes), the logout is performed and the printing apparatus 10 returns to the display of the standby screen 510 (S101).

  The administrator login button 553 is a button that is pressed when logging in as an administrator, and the administrator setting button 534 is a button that is pressed when performing an administrator setting operation. Even if an administrator user is logged in as a general user and cannot perform administrator setting operations in the normal administrator login state, the administrator setting button 534 is grayed out and cannot be pressed. It has become.

  When the administrator login button 553 is pressed on the administrator normal login screen 550 (S108: Yes), an administrator management login state, which is a login as an administrator, is entered (S109). In order to further increase security, when the administrator log-in button 553 is pressed, a password as an administrator may be further requested and authentication as the administrator may be performed. In this case, a password for the administrator is separately determined and recorded in the user information management table 144.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of an administrator management login screen 560 displayed on the operation panel 160 in the administrator management login state. The administrator management login screen 560 includes a logout button 561, an icon 562 having a different shape from the icon 542 indicating that the user is a general user to indicate login as an administrator, a printer button, a copy button, a scanner button, An administrator login button 563 and an administrator setting button 564 are arranged. The administrator login button 563 is highlighted to indicate that the login is as an administrator. Further, since the login is as an administrator who can perform the administrator setting operation, the administrator setting button 564 can be pressed.

  An administrator user who has logged in as an administrator can perform various administrator setting operations by pressing the administrator setting button 564. Further, it is possible to access the job management unit 150 to display or delete a job of a general user. After the administrator setting operation is completed, when the logout button 561 is pressed (S110: Yes), the logout is performed and the printing apparatus 10 returns to the display of the standby screen 510 (S101). Further, the administrator login button 563 may be pressed again to cancel the login state as the administrator and return to the normal administrator login state (S106).

As described above, in this embodiment, the login state of the administrator user is distinguished into the login state as the administrator and the login state as a general user, and the administrator setting operation is performed in the initial login state. You are logged in as a general user who cannot. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the administrator user from displaying even a menu unnecessary for normal processing, and it is possible to prevent the administrator user from performing an administrator setting operation unnecessarily.
<Administrator setting operation>
Next, an administrator setting operation performed by the administrator user in the administrator management login state will be described. When the administrator setting button 564 is pressed on the administrator management login screen 560 shown in FIG. 13, the printing apparatus 10 displays an administrator setting screen 570 as shown in FIG. 14 on the operation panel 160.

  On the administrator setting screen 570, a user setting button 571, a login setting button 572, a log management button 573, and a network setting button 574 are arranged.

  The user setting button 571 on the administrator setting screen 570 is a button for the administrator user to make settings relating to the user. When the user setting button 571 is pressed, the printing apparatus 10 displays a user setting screen 580 as shown in FIG. On the user setting screen 580, a list 581 of user names registered in the user information management table 144 is displayed in a selectable state, and an add button 582, a change button 583, and an erase button 584 are arranged. . For example, when changing the registration information of a user, the administrator user who is logged in as an administrator may select the target user from the user name list 581 and press the change button 583.

  When the change button 583 is pressed, the printing apparatus 10 displays a change screen 590 as shown in FIG. The change screen 590 displays user information related to the selected user recorded in the user information management table 144. The user information includes, for example, usage permission for each function. An administrator user logged in as an administrator can change arbitrary user information on the change screen 590. The changed user information is reflected in the user information management table 144.

  A login setting button 572 on the administrator setting screen 570 is a button for setting whether login processing is necessary for use for each of the printer function, the copy function, and the scanner function. When the login setting button 572 is pressed, the printing apparatus 10 displays a login setting screen 600 as shown in FIG. On the login setting screen 600, it is possible to arbitrarily set whether or not login is necessary for each of the printer function, the copy function, and the scanner function. For example, when an administrator user who is logged in as an administrator allows the unspecified user to use the printer function without logging in, set “unnecessary” and do not pass user authentication. If you do not want to use it, you can set “Necessary”. For functions that do not require login, users who are prohibited from using each function set for each user can be used. However, in order to improve the convenience of the administrator user In addition, it is desirable that the use permission setting for each user is unnecessary for the function that does not require login.

  In the present embodiment, when login is required for the printer function, the user performs login processing on the printing apparatus 10 after transmitting print data from the PC 20 in order to further enhance security, and user authentication is performed. When it is done, actual printing is started. At this time, it is possible to select whether the printing apparatus 10 automatically starts printing after user authentication or whether printing is started by a user button operation or the like.

  Here, log management of functions that require login and functions that do not require login will be described. In the present embodiment, for functions that require login, a log is recorded in association with the user specified by the login process. On the other hand, for functions that do not require login, a log is recorded without associating with a specific user. In this case, even if a login process is performed in advance and a user is specified, a log is recorded without associating with the user.

  The processes of the job management unit 150 and the setting management unit 140 that record such log information will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the job reception unit 151 of the job management unit 150 receives a job for any one of the printer function, the scanner function, and the copy function from the user (S201), the setting table 142 is referred to use the function. Whether login is necessary is determined (S202).

  As a result, if login is necessary (S202: Yes), it is determined whether login has been completed (S203). For example, if a job for another function that needs to be logged in has already been performed, the login is completed. If not logged in (S203: No), the user information management unit 143 performs the above-described login process (S204). If the login process does not authenticate (S205: No), the execution of the job is not permitted (S206).

  When already logged in (S203: Yes) and when authenticated by the login process (S205: Yes), the user specified by the login process uses the function with reference to the user information management table 144. It is determined whether or not this is permitted (S207). If the identified user is not permitted to use the function (S207: No), the execution of the job is not permitted (S206).

  If the specified user is permitted to use the function (S207: Yes), the job is executed according to the user's instruction (S208). Then, the log information management unit 154 records a log related to the job in the log information recording area 1541 (S209). At this time, the user name specified by the login is recorded in the owner name 1541c of the log information recording area 1541. That is, log information is recorded in association with a specific user. Further, the user information management unit 143 updates the usage history of the identified user in the usage history management table 145.

  On the other hand, if login is not required to use the function (S202), the job is executed according to the user's instruction without performing login processing (S210). Then, the log information management unit 154 records a log related to the job in the log information recording area 1541 (S209). At this time, the owner name 1541c of the log information recording area 1541 records information indicating a blank or unspecified user. That is, the log information is recorded without being associated with a specific user. Further, the user information management unit 143 does not update the user usage history in the usage history management table 145. However, when the usage history of the printing apparatus 10 as a whole is also recorded, the usage history as a whole is updated.

  The administrator user can view the log information recorded in the log information recording area 1541 by pressing the log management button 573 on the administrator setting screen 570. FIG. 19A shows a display example of log information when it is set that login is necessary to use the printer function. In addition, this example is a case where it displays on the browser part 230 of PC20. As shown in the figure, in the owner name column of log information, the name of the user who performed the print job for each job is recorded, and the log information is associated with a specific user.

  FIG. 19B shows a display example of log information in the case where it is set that login is not necessary for using the printer function. As shown in this figure, “-” that does not specify the user is recorded in the owner name column of the log information, and the log information is not associated with the specific user.

As described above, in this embodiment, when it is set that login is not necessary for use, a log is recorded without being associated with a specific user. As a result, the printing system can be managed without collecting personal information more than necessary.
<Simple setting registration / call>
Next, the simple setting registration calling process in the printing apparatus 10 will be described. As described above, the simple setting registration calling unit 153 can individually register a plurality of job settings received by the job setting receiving unit 1521 for each user. The job settings received from the administrator user can be registered and called for all users based on the instructions of the administrator user.

  The simple setting registration calling unit 153 can register settings on a simple setting registration / calling screen 610 as shown in FIG. 20, for example, and can call the registered settings. In the present embodiment, ten simple setting buttons are prepared for each user in the simple setting button area 611 for setting registration. In the example of this figure. In the simple setting buttons corresponding to 6 to 0, settings shared by all users by the administrator user are registered. These simple setting buttons are provided with an icon for indicating sharing registration. Each user can arbitrarily register settings for the simple setting buttons not having this icon.

  The administrator user can perform shared registration of settings using, for example, a simple setting registration screen 620 as shown in FIG. The simple setting registration screen 620 can be called by selecting a simple setting button for performing setting registration on the simple setting registration / calling screen 610. In the example of this figure, it is assumed that the sixth simple setting button has been selected. The simple setting registration screen 620 includes a name change button for changing a registered name, a setting display area 621, a share button 622 for sharing settings with all users, and the like. In the setting display area 621, the job settings received by the job setting receiving unit 1521 from the administrator user, for example, if the job content is copy processing, the document type, color mode, reading density, image quality, and the like are displayed. .

  In order to share the settings displayed in the setting display area 621 with all users, the administrator user may turn on the share button 622 for sharing the settings with all users and press the registration button 623. Thereby, the setting displayed in the setting display area 621 is registered in the sixth simple setting button for all users. In this case, the general user cannot change or delete the setting contents shared and registered in the sixth simple setting button.

  In addition, when the administrator user registers the setting displayed in the setting display area 621 only for himself / herself, the administrator user presses the registration button 623 with the sharing button 622 for sharing the setting among all users turned off. Good. As a result, the setting displayed in the setting display area 621 is registered only in the sixth simple setting button of the administrator user. In this case, the general user can register arbitrary setting contents in the sixth simple setting button.

  The administrator user can also cancel the sharing registration setting. In this case, the setting for which sharing registration is canceled may be deleted from the simple setting button for all users, or the setting itself may be left on the simple setting button so that each user can change or delete it arbitrarily. It may be.

  FIG. 22A is a flowchart for explaining the simple setting share registration process by the administrator user. First, the administrator user logs in as an administrator user according to the procedure shown in FIG. 7 (S301). Then, the user operates the menu screen provided by the job setting reception unit 1521 to instruct the setting contents to be set and registered (S302). The setting contents can be instructed as usual.

  Next, by a predetermined operation such as pressing a specific key or menu operation, the simple setting registration / calling screen 610 shown in FIG. 20 is displayed (S303), and registration is performed on this simple setting registration / calling screen 610. The simple setting button corresponding to the number to be selected is selected (S304). Then, share registration is instructed by turning on the share button 622 for sharing with all users on the simple setting registration screen 620 shown in FIG. 21 and pressing the registration button 623 (S305). Thereby, the registered setting contents are reflected to all users (S306).

  FIG. 22B is a flowchart for explaining simple setting registration processing by a general user. First, the general user logs in as a general user according to the procedure shown in FIG. 7 (S401). Then, the user operates the menu screen provided by the job setting reception unit 1521 to instruct the setting contents to be set and registered (S402). The setting contents can be instructed as usual.

Next, by a predetermined operation, for example, pressing a specific key or menu operation, the simple setting registration / call screen 610 shown in FIG. 20 is displayed (S403), and registration is performed on the simple setting registration / call screen 610. The simple setting button corresponding to the number to be selected is selected (S404). At this time, the simple setting button that is set to be shared cannot be selected. In the case of a general user, the share button 622 for sharing with all users is not displayed on the simple setting registration screen. The general user instructs registration by pressing the registration button on the simple setting registration screen (S405). As a result, the setting contents are registered only for the user (S406).
<Stored job printing / finished job printing>
Next, the stored job printing process and the end job printing process in the printing apparatus 10 will be described. First, the stored job printing process will be described. As described above, the printing apparatus 10 stores, for example, print data sent from the PC 20 or image data based on an image read by the image reading unit 120 as a storage job based on a user instruction, and again The reprinting can be performed by calling the stored image data without transmitting the print data or reading the image.

  The stored job management unit 155 can accept print settings from the user corresponding to the image data to be called. The print settings accepted are, for example, print density adjustment, print position adjustment, number of copies, and the like. Then, it is possible to receive an instruction as to whether or not to perform printing using the received print settings and whether to reflect the received print settings in the stored print job. If it is set that login is not necessary for use, the stored job process may not be performed because the user is not specified when the job is executed.

  FIG. 23A shows a screen 630 that displays a status regarding a print job being processed among job statuses managed by the job management control unit 152 for each user. This screen 630 can be displayed by a menu operation or the like when the user wants to confirm information related to his / her print job. This screen 630 displays information related to the print job being printed and information related to the print job that is waiting.

  The user can display a print job list screen 640 storing image data as shown in FIG. 23B by pressing the storage button 631 on the screen 630. The stored job management unit 155 can generate the stored print job list screen 640 by extracting the stored job relating to the user who is operating in the stored job recording area 1551.

  The stored print job list screen 640 displays the job name, owner name, number of pages, and storage date and time of the stored print job. It should be noted that the user can also instruct to store image data at the same time as instructing printing by the printer driver unit 210 of the PC 20 as in the past.

  The user can select a desired job on the stored print job list screen 640 and press the print button 641. When the print button 641 is pressed, the stored job management unit 155 can display a stored job print setting reception screen 660 including a print setting area 661 as shown in FIG. 24 to receive print settings from the user. .

  In the present embodiment, since the stored job is stored in the already developed image data format, print setting items for editing the image data itself are not included. That is, in the print setting area 661, print density adjustment, print position adjustment, number of copies, and the like can be set. However, when storing the data before development, the print setting area 661 may include print setting items for changing the image data itself such as resolution.

  When the print button 662 is pressed on the stored job print setting reception screen 660, the stored job management unit 155 executes printing with the print settings indicated in the print setting area 661. In addition, when the save button 663 is pressed on the stored job print setting reception screen 660, the stored job management unit 155 records the print settings indicated in the print setting area 661 in the stored job recording area 1551 in association with the stored job. . That is, the contents of the print setting shown in the print setting area 661 are reflected when the same stored job is called again.

  For this reason, when the user applies the print settings only to the current print, the user may press the print button 662 to execute printing without pressing the save button 663 after the print setting, and then exit this screen. On the other hand, if the print settings are to be reflected in future prints, after the print settings are made, the save button 663 is pressed, then the print button 662 is pressed to execute the print, and this screen is terminated. Alternatively, the print button 662 may be pressed to execute printing, and then the save button 663 may be pressed to exit this screen. In addition, print settings can be saved without executing printing.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for the stored job printing process. When printing the stored job, the user can display the stored print job list screen 640 and specify a desired print job (S501). Then, print settings for the print job can be made on the stored job print setting reception screen 660 (S502). If the print settings are to be reflected in subsequent stored job printing, the save button 663 is pressed (S503: Yes). As a result, the stored job is overwritten in association with the print setting shown in the print setting area 661 (S504).

  When executing printing, the user presses the print button 662 (S505: Yes). Thus, printing is executed according to the print settings shown in the print setting area 661 (S506).

  Next, the end job printing process will be described. The end job printing process is basically the same as the stored job printing process. For this reason, description is simplified about the overlapping part. As described above, for example, when printing data sent from the PC 20 or an image read by the image reading unit 120 is printed, the printing apparatus 10 converts the image data into, for example, a FIFO (first interface out). It is stored as an end job with a predetermined amount as the upper limit in the system, or for a predetermined period, and while the image data remains, it is stored without sending print data or reading the image again Reprinting can be performed by calling up image data.

  The end job management unit 156 can accept print settings from the user corresponding to the image data to be called. The print settings accepted are, for example, print density adjustment, print position adjustment, number of copies, and the like. Then, it is possible to receive an instruction as to whether to perform printing using the accepted print settings and whether to reflect the accepted print settings in the accumulated image data.

  The end job management unit 156 can accept print settings from the user corresponding to the image data to be called. The print settings accepted are, for example, print density adjustment, print position adjustment, number of copies, and the like. Then, it is possible to receive an instruction as to whether to perform printing using the received print settings, and whether to reflect the received print settings in the accumulated end job. If it is set that login is not necessary for use, the end job accumulation may not be performed because the user is not specified when the job is executed.

  When the user presses an end button 632 of the screen 630 for displaying the status relating to the print job being processed shown in FIG. 23A, a list screen 650 of the finished print jobs as shown in FIG. Can be displayed. The finished job management unit 156 can generate the finished print job list screen 650 by extracting the finished print jobs related to the user who is operating in the finished job recording area 1561.

  The job name, completion status, owner name, and completion date and time of the completed print job are displayed on the completed print job list screen. If the user does not want to store the completed print, the user can give an instruction to that effect.

  The user can select a desired end job on the completed print job list screen 650 and press the print button 651. When the print button 651 is pressed, the end job management unit 156 displays an end job print setting reception screen (not shown) similar to the stored job print setting reception screen 660 as shown in FIG. Can accept settings. On the end job print setting reception screen, print density adjustment, print position adjustment, number of copies, and the like can be set in the same manner as the stored job print setting reception screen 660.

  When the print button is pressed on the end job print setting reception screen, the end job management unit 156 executes printing with the print settings indicated in the print setting area. In addition, when the save button is pressed on the end job print setting reception screen, the end job management unit 156 records the print settings indicated in the print setting area in the end job recording area 1561 in association with the end job. That is, the contents of the print settings shown in the print setting area when the same end job is called again are reflected. The procedure for the end job printing process can be the same as the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when print settings are set in stored job printing or end job printing, whether the print settings are applied only to the printing or reflected in future printing is determined by the user. Will be able to choose. Thereby, user operability can be improved.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the network printing system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the printing apparatus and PC in a network printing system. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of a setting management unit of the printing apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a user information management table. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of a job management unit of the printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the log which a log information recording area memorize | stores. 6 is a flowchart for describing login processing in the printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the standby screen displayed on an operation panel. It is a figure which shows an example of the user selection screen displayed on an operation panel. It is a figure which shows an example of the password input screen displayed on an operation panel. It is a figure which shows an example of the general user login screen displayed on an operation panel when logging in as a general user. It is a figure which shows an example of the administrator normal login screen displayed on an operation panel in an administrator normal login state. It is a figure which shows an example of the administrator management login displayed on an operation panel in an administrator management login state. It is a figure which shows an example of the administrator setting screen displayed on an operation panel. It is a figure which shows an example of the user setting screen displayed on an operation panel. It is a figure which shows an example of the change screen displayed on an operation panel. It is a figure which shows an example of the login setting screen displayed on an operation panel. It is a flowchart explaining the log information recording process which a job management part and a setting management part perform. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of log information. It is a figure which shows an example of a simple setting registration / call screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a simple setting registration screen. It is a flowchart explaining a simple setting share registration process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that displays a status relating to a print job. It is a figure which shows an example of the stored job print setting reception screen. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure in the case of a stored job printing process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing apparatus, 20 ... PC, 40 ... IC card, 70 ... Computer network, 100 ... Job management part, 110 ... Print execution part, 120 ... Image reading part, 130 ... Image processing part, 140 ... Setting management part, 141 ... Printing device setting management unit 142 ... Setting table 143 ... User information management unit 144 ... User information management table 145 ... Use history management table 150 ... Job management unit 151 ... Job reception unit 152 ... Job management control 153... Simple setting registration calling unit 154... Log information management unit 155... Stored job management unit 156 .. End job management unit 160 .. Operation panel 170 .. Communication processing unit 180. Printer driver unit, 220 ... scanner driver unit, 230 ... browser unit, 240 ... communication processing unit

Claims (4)

An information processing apparatus comprising an image reading unit and a printing unit and capable of executing a plurality of processes including any one of a printing process, an image reading process, and a copying process,
User authentication means for performing user authentication using predetermined authentication information;
Whether or not the user authentication is necessary for the execution of the process, a device setting management means capable of setting for each of the plurality of processes;
A process accepting means for accepting designation of a process to be executed and determining whether or not user authentication is necessary based on the setting;
An information processing apparatus comprising: An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
It further comprises a history management means for recording a history relating to the executed processing,
The history management means includes
For processing that is set to be required for execution of user authentication, record the history of the processing in association with the user specified by the user authentication,
An information processing apparatus that records a history of the process, without associating with a user, for a process that is set as not requiring user authentication for execution. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The history management unit does not associate the process set as not requiring user authentication for execution without associating the process with the user specified by the user authentication even if the user authentication is performed in advance. An information processing apparatus that records a history. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The user authentication means further performs administrator user authentication using predetermined administrator authentication information,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the process management unit receives the setting from a user authenticated as the administrator user.