JP2013125461A - Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an image forming apparatus capable of confirming afterwards that the user himself / herself has agreed to the contents of a license agreement such as software.
Before starting use of software, hardware, or content, a reading start operation unit for starting an image reading process of a license agreement is displayed, and image reading is performed according to the operation of the reading start operation unit The image data is read from the original by the means and stored, and the use of the software, the hardware, or the content is permitted on condition that the image data includes the contents of the license agreement and the signature. .
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an image forming apparatus that use software, hardware, or content. .

Conventionally, in an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine (hereinafter referred to as “information processing apparatus”), various software, hardware, or content (hereinafter referred to as “information processing apparatus”) is achieved. , Referred to as “software etc.”). On the other hand, there is known a technique for determining whether or not software can be used by determining the validity of use permission information signed by a secure device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, in an information processing apparatus or the like, use of the software or the like may be permitted on the condition that the user confirms a license agreement that describes a contract content or the like regarding use of the software or the like. For example, the confirmation of the license agreement by the user is performed by operating a check box displayed together with the license agreement.

International Publication No. 2003/083746

However, for example, in a configuration in which the user agrees to the contents of the license agreement such as software by operating a check box or the like, it cannot be confirmed afterwards that the user has agreed to the contents of the license agreement. Was a problem.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to process information that allows the user himself / herself to confirm afterwards that he / she has agreed to the contents of a software license agreement. An apparatus, an information processing system, and an image forming apparatus are provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as an information processing apparatus including the following (1) to (3).
(1) Reading start display means for displaying a reading start operation unit for starting an image reading process of a license agreement before starting to use software, hardware, or content.
(2) A license agreement reading unit that reads and stores image data from a document by an image reading unit in response to an operation of the reading start operation unit displayed by the reading start display unit.
(3) Use of the software, the hardware, or the content is permitted on the condition that the image data read by the license agreement reading means includes the contents and signature of the license agreement. Use permission means.
According to the present invention, since the image data of the license agreement including the signature is stored, the fact that the user has consented to the contents of the license agreement such as software indicates that the license agreement including the signature is included. It is possible to confirm later by referring to the document.

Furthermore, a license agreement storage means for storing a license agreement for the software, the hardware, or the content, and the license agreement before the use of the software, the hardware, or the content is started. A print start display unit for displaying a print start operation unit for starting printing of the license agreement stored in the storage unit, and according to an operation of the print start operation unit displayed by the print start display unit It is desirable to include a license agreement printing means for printing the license agreement by the image forming means. Thereby, the user can be surely confirmed by printing the license agreement before starting to use the software, the hardware, or the content.
At this time, it is conceivable that the reading start display means displays the reading start operation unit on condition that the license agreement is printed by the license agreement printing means. Thereby, a series of operations for printing and reading the license agreement are automatically executed.
Further, it is conceivable that the use permission means determines that the image data includes a signature on the condition that it is described in a predetermined signature area of the license agreement. Thereby, it is possible to easily determine the presence or absence of the signature.
Further, the use permission unit includes, in the image data, on condition that the identification information of the license agreement stored in the storage unit is included in the image data read by the license agreement reading unit. It may be determined that the contents of the license agreement are included. For example, the type of the license agreement can be easily determined based on the identification information such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark).

By the way, the present invention may be understood as an invention of an information processing system including an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.
Here, the image forming apparatus includes the following (11) to (13).
(11) Image reading means for reading image data from a document.
(12) Image forming means for executing image forming processing based on image data.
(13) Display means for displaying information.
The information processing apparatus includes the following (14) to (19).
(14) A license agreement storage means for storing software, hardware, or content license agreements.
(15) The display unit includes a print start operation unit for starting printing of the license agreement stored in the license agreement storage unit before the use of the software, the hardware, or the content is started. Printing start display means to be displayed on the screen.
(16) A license agreement printing unit that prints the license agreement by the image forming unit in response to an operation of the print start operation unit displayed by the print start display unit.
(17) Reading start display means for causing the display means to display a reading start operation unit for starting an image reading process of a license agreement before using the software, the hardware, or the content.
(18) A license agreement reading unit that reads and stores image data from a document by the image reading unit in response to an operation of the reading start operation unit displayed by the reading start display unit.
(19) The use of the software, the hardware, or the content is permitted on the condition that the image data read by the license agreement reading means includes the contents and signature of the license agreement. Use permission means.

In addition, the present invention may be understood as an invention of an image forming apparatus including the following (21) to (29).
(21) Image reading means for reading image data from a document.
(22) Image forming means for executing image forming processing based on image data.
(23) Display means for displaying information.
(24) A license agreement storage means for storing software, hardware, or content license agreements.
(25) The display unit includes a print start operation unit for starting printing of the license agreement stored in the license agreement storage unit before the use of the software, the hardware, or the content is started. Printing start display means to be displayed on the screen.
(26) A license agreement printing unit that prints the license agreement by the image forming unit in response to an operation of the print start operation unit displayed by the print start display unit.
(27) Reading start display means for causing the display means to display a reading start operation unit for starting an image reading process of a license agreement before using the software, the hardware, or the content.
(28) A license agreement reading unit that reads and stores image data from a document by the image reading unit in response to an operation of the reading start operation unit displayed by the reading start display unit.
(29) The use of the software, the hardware, or the content is permitted on the condition that the image data read by the license agreement reading means includes the contents and signature of the license agreement. Use permission means.

  According to the present invention, since the image data of the license agreement including the signature is stored, the user himself / herself agrees to the contents of the license agreement such as software, and the license agreement including the signature is It becomes possible to confirm later by referring.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system Z according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction peripheral Y according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart for demonstrating an example of the procedure of the access management process performed with the access management server X which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the printing start operation screen displayed by an access management process. The figure which shows an example of the license agreement printed by an access management process. The figure which shows an example of the reading start operation screen displayed by an access management process.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not.
First, an information processing system Z according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system Z includes at least an access management server X (an example of an information processing apparatus) and one or a plurality of multifunction peripherals Y (an example of an image forming apparatus). Each of the access management server X and the multifunction device Y is communicably connected via a communication network 10 such as a LAN or the Internet. In the information processing system Z, the plurality of multifunction peripherals Y access the access management server X and use various application software (hereinafter abbreviated as “applications”).

<Multifunction machine Y>
First, a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine Y will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. 2A is a schematic front sectional view of the multi-function device Y, and FIG. 2B is a view taken along the line CC in FIG. 2A.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunction peripheral Y includes an image reading unit 1, an ADF (automatic document feeder) 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feed cassette 4, a control unit 5, an operation display unit 6, and the like. It has.
The control unit 5 includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and an EEPROM. The control unit 5 performs overall control of the multi-function device Y by executing a predetermined control program stored in the ROM by the CPU. The control unit 5 may be configured by an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC).
The operation display unit 6 is a display unit having a liquid crystal display for displaying various types of information, a touch panel on which various types of operation inputs by the user are performed, and operation buttons. The touch panel detects operations of various touch keys displayed on the liquid crystal display, and inputs operation signals corresponding to the touch keys to the control unit 5.

The image reading unit 1 is image reading means for reading image data from a document. As shown in FIG. 2A, the contact glass 11, reading unit 12, mirrors 13 and 14, optical lens 15, and CCD ( Charge Coupled Device) 16 and the like.
The contact glass 11 is provided on the upper surface of the image reading unit 1 and is a transparent document table on which a document P to be read by the multifunction machine Y is placed.
The reading unit 12 includes an LED light source 121 and a mirror 122, and is configured to be movable in the left-right direction (sub-scanning direction) in FIG. 2A by a moving mechanism (not shown) using a driving motor such as a stepping motor. Has been. When the reading unit 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the drive motor, the light irradiated on the contact glass 11 from the LED light source 121 is scanned in the sub-scanning direction.
The LED light source 121 includes a large number of white LEDs arranged along the depth direction (main scanning direction) in FIG. 2A, and a document P at the reading position 12A on the contact glass 11 or a later-described document. A line of white light is emitted toward the document holder 23. Note that the reading position 12A moves in the sub-scanning direction as the reading unit 12 moves in the sub-scanning direction.
The mirror 122 reflects reflected light toward the mirror 13 when light is emitted from the LED light source 121 to the original P at the reading position 12A or the original press 23 described later. The light reflected by the mirror 122 is guided to the optical lens 15 by the mirrors 13 and 14. The optical lens 15 collects incident light and makes it incident on the CCD 16.
The CCD 16 is a photoelectric conversion element that converts received light into an electrical signal (voltage) corresponding to the amount of light and outputs it as image data. Specifically, the CCD 16 reads the image data of the document P based on the light reflected from the document P when light is emitted from the LED light source 121. Image data read by the CCD 16 is input to the control unit 5. In the present embodiment, an example in which the CCD 16 is used as a photoelectric conversion unit will be described. However, a contact image sensor (CIS: Contact Image Sensor) having a shorter focal length than the CCD 16 may be used.

The ADF 2 includes a document setting unit 21, a plurality of conveyance rollers 22, a document pressing unit 23, a paper discharge unit 24, and the like. The ADF 2 drives each of the transport rollers 22 by a motor (not shown), thereby allowing the document P set on the document setting unit 21 to pass through the reading position 12A on the contact glass 11 and the sheet discharge unit 24. Transport to.
The document presser 23 is provided at a position above the reading position 12A on the contact glass 11 at an interval through which the document P can pass. The document retainer 23 is long in the main scanning direction, and a white sheet is attached to the lower surface (the surface on the contact glass 11 side). In the multifunction machine Y, the image data of the white sheet is read as white reference data. The white reference data is used for known shading correction and the like.

The image forming unit 3 performs image forming processing (printing processing) based on image data read by the image reading unit 1 or image data input from an external information processing apparatus such as the access management server X. This is an electrophotographic image forming means to be executed.
Specifically, the image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum 31, a charging device 32, a developing device 33, a toner container 34, a transfer roller 35, a static eliminating device 36, a fixing roller 37, a pressure roller 38, and the like. The image forming unit 3 forms an image on the paper supplied from the paper feed cassette 4 in the following procedure.
First, the photosensitive drum 31 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device 32. Next, light based on image data is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 by a laser scanner unit (LSU) (not shown). As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. Then, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31 is developed (visualized) as a toner image by the developing device 33. The developing device 33 is supplied with toner from the toner container 34. Subsequently, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred onto a sheet by the transfer roller 35. Thereafter, the toner image transferred to the paper is heated and fused by the fixing roller 37 when the paper passes between the fixing roller 37 and the pressure roller 38 and is discharged. The potential of the photosensitive drum 31 is neutralized by the neutralization device 36.

<Access management server X>
On the other hand, the access management server X is an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, and includes a control unit 71, an application data storage unit 72, a user information storage unit 73, and the like as shown in FIG.
The control unit 71 includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and an EEPROM. The control unit 71 performs overall control of the access management server X by executing a predetermined control program stored in the ROM or the like by the CPU. Further, the control unit 71 executes an access management process (see FIG. 3) described later in accordance with a control program stored in the application data storage unit 72.
The application data storage unit 72 and the user information storage unit 73 are storage areas secured in a storage unit such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory that stores various types of information, or a common storage unit.
Here, the application data storage unit 72 stores one or a plurality of applications used by the multifunction peripheral Y and the like, a license agreement corresponding to each of the applications, and the like. The application data storage unit 72 is an example of a license agreement storage unit. The application is a program that can be executed by a processor such as the control unit 71 or the control unit 5 of the multifunction machine Y. The application is stored in the application data storage unit 72 by being installed in the access management server X using, for example, a CD or a DVD. By the way, use of the application by the multi-function device Y includes use of a network service such as so-called cloud computing provided by the control unit 71 of the access management server X executing the application. In addition, the license agreement describes, for example, the contents of a use contract, a license contract, etc. that the user should agree to before using the application (see FIG. 5).
The user information storage unit 73 stores user information including the name of the user who uses the application stored in the application data storage unit 72, the right to use each application for the user, and the like. The user information storage unit 73 stores the user license agreement after the user's signature stored in an access management process described later in association with the user information corresponding to the user.

<Access management process>
The access management process executed by the control unit 71 of the access management server X will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, S1, S2,... Represent processing procedure (step) numbers.
Here, an example in which the multi-function device Y accesses the access management server X connected via the communication network 10 and executes an application stored in the application data storage unit 72 of the access management server X will be described. Will be described.

(Step S1)
First, in step S1, the control unit 71 waits for a use start request for the application (No side of S1), and when there is the use start request (Yes side of S1), the process proceeds to step S2. Let For example, the control unit 71 determines that there has been a use start request for the application by receiving a use start request signal from the multifunction device Y. In the multifunction device Y, when the user performs an operation for requesting to start using the application on the operation display unit 6, the control unit 5 transmits the use start request signal to the access management server X. Is done.

(Step S2)
Next, in step S2, the control unit 71 determines whether or not it is necessary to agree to a license agreement when using the application requested in step S1. The necessity of consent to the license agreement is determined in advance for each application, for example, and information indicating the necessity of consent is stored in the application data storage unit 72 together with the application. Is done.
Here, if it is determined that consent to the license agreement is necessary (Yes side of S2), the process proceeds to step S3, and it is determined that consent to the license agreement is not necessary. (No side of S2), the process proceeds to step S13 described later.

(Step S3)
In step S <b> 3, the control unit 71 reads user information corresponding to the user who is currently operating the multifunction peripheral Y from the user information storage unit 73. Specifically, the control unit 71 reads out user information corresponding to the user from the user information storage unit 73 when the user has already logged in at the multifunction device Y. On the other hand, if the login is not yet performed in the multifunction device Y, the control unit 5 of the multifunction device Y is caused to execute a login process, and then user information corresponding to the user after the login is stored in the user information. Read from unit 73. Note that the user login process in the multi-function device Y is performed, for example, by inputting a user ID and password to the operation display unit 6. Of course, the login process is not limited to the login in the multifunction peripheral Y, and may be the login to the access management server X.

(Step S4)
In step S4, the control unit 71 determines whether the current user has agreed to the application license agreement in the past based on the user information acquired in step S3. For example, on the condition that the user's information storage unit 73 stores the license agreement after the signature corresponding to the application in step S12, which will be described later, Judge that you agree with the license agreement. Of course, when the use is permitted in step S13, which will be described later, the control unit 71 updates the application usage authority information in the user information, and the control unit 71 determines whether or not the license agreement is agreed based on the user information. It is also possible to do.
Here, if it is determined that the license agreement has been agreed (Yes side of S4), the process proceeds to step S13 described later, and if it is determined that the license agreement has not been agreed. (No side of S4), the process proceeds to step S5.

(Step S5)
In step S5, the control unit 71 displays the print start operation screen D1 on which the print start key K1 (corresponding to the print start operation unit) and the cancel key K2 are arranged as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the operation display unit 6. The print open key K1 is a touch key for requesting the start of printing of a license agreement corresponding to the application. The license agreement is stored in the application data storage unit 72 in a state associated with the application. Here, the control unit 71 for displaying the print start key K1 for starting printing of the license agreement before the use of the application corresponds to the print start display means. Specifically, the control unit 71 transmits the image data of the print start operation screen D1 to the control unit 5 of the multifunction peripheral Y. As a result, the control unit 5 of the multi-function device Y causes the operation display unit 6 to display the print start operation screen D1. The print start operation screen D1 also displays that the application cannot be used without accepting the license agreement when the application is started.

(Step S6)
Next, in step S6, the control unit 71 waits for an operation of the print start key K1 displayed in step S5 (No side of S6). Specifically, the control unit 71 determines whether or not the print start key K1 is operated in response to an operation signal transmitted from the control unit 5 in response to an operation of the print start key K1 in the multifunction peripheral Y. .
If it is determined that the print start key K1 has been operated (Yes in S6), the process proceeds to step S7. When the cancel key K2 is operated, the control unit 71 stops using the application and returns the process to step S1.

(Step S7)
When the print start key K1 is operated, in the subsequent step S7, the control unit 71 causes the multifunction peripheral Y to print the license agreement for the application by the image forming unit 3. Here, the control unit 71 when executing the processing corresponds to a license agreement printing unit. Specifically, the control unit 71 reads a license agreement corresponding to the application from the application data storage unit 72, and transmits the license agreement to the control unit 5 of the multi-function device Y. Thereby, in the multifunction device Y, the image forming unit 3 executes the printing process of the license agreement for the application, and allows the user of the multifunction device Y to confirm the license agreement.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the license agreement. As shown in FIG. 5, in the license agreement, in addition to various provisions related to the license agreement of the application, a signature for agreeing to the contents of the license agreement and a signature for writing a date A description column R1 is included.

(Step S8)
Subsequently, when the license agreement is printed in step S7, on the condition (Yes side of S7), the controller 71 executes the process of step S8. Specifically, in step S8, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 71 displays the reading start operation screen D2 on which a reading start key K3 (corresponding to a reading start operation unit), a cancel key K4, and the like are arranged. It is displayed on the operation display unit 6 of the machine Y. The reading start key K3 is a touch key for requesting the reading start of the license agreement corresponding to the application. Here, the control unit 71 when displaying the reading start key K3 for starting the image reading process of the license agreement before the use of the application corresponds to the reading start display means. Specifically, the control unit 71 transmits the image data of the reading start operation screen D2 to the control unit 5 of the multifunction peripheral Y. As a result, the control unit 5 of the multi-function device Y causes the operation display unit 6 to display the reading start operation screen D2. The reading start operation screen D2 also displays that the application cannot be used unless the license agreement is read after the license agreement for the application is signed.

(Step S9)
Thereafter, in step S9, the control unit 71 waits for an operation of the reading start key K3 displayed in step S8 (No side of S9). Specifically, the control unit 71 determines whether or not the reading start key K3 is operated in response to an operation signal transmitted from the control unit 5 in response to an operation of the reading start key K3 in the multifunction peripheral Y. .
If it is determined that the reading start key K3 has been operated (Yes in S9), the process proceeds to step S10. When the cancel key K4 is operated, the control unit 71 stops using the application and returns the process to step S1.

(Step S10)
When the reading start key K3 is operated, in the subsequent step S10, the control unit 71 causes the image reading unit 1 to image the original on the contact glass 11 or the original setting unit 21 with respect to the multifunction peripheral Y. Read data. Here, the control unit 71 when executing the processing corresponds to a license agreement reading unit. Specifically, the control unit 71 transmits an image reading request signal to the control unit 5 of the multifunction machine Y. As a result, the control unit 5 of the multifunction machine Y executes the image reading process by the image reading unit 1. At this time, the image data read by the image reading unit 1 of the multi-function machine Y is transmitted to the control unit 71 of the access management server X by the control unit 5.

(Step S11)
In step S11, the control unit 71 determines whether the image data read in step S10 includes the contents and signature of the license agreement corresponding to the application.
For example, it is conceivable that the identification information of the license agreement is described in the license agreement printed in step S7 using a barcode or QR code (registered trademark). In this case, in the step S11, the control unit 71 determines that the contents of the license agreement are included in the image data on the condition that the identification information is included in the image data. It is possible.
Further, it is conceivable that the control unit 71 has an OCR function for reading characters based on the image data. In this case, the control unit 71 confirms that the collation result between the characters of the image data read by the OCR function matches the contents of the license agreement stored in the application data storage unit 72 in advance. It can be determined that the condition includes the contents of the license agreement in the image data.
On the other hand, the control unit 71 signs the image data on the condition that some description exists at a predetermined position in the signature description column R1 (see FIG. 4) in the image data (use license agreement). It may be judged that it is included. That is, the control unit 71 determines that the signature on the license agreement has not been made unless there is any description in the signature description column R1. A date description column is also provided on the right side of the signature description column R1 (see FIG. 5), but this date description column may be omitted.
If it is determined that the image data includes the contents of the license agreement and a signature (Yes in S11), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when it is determined that the image data does not contain either the content of the license agreement or the signature (No in S11), the use of the application is stopped and the process is performed in step S1. Returned to

(Step S12)
In step S12, the control unit 71 stores the license agreement after the signature read in step S10 in the user information storage unit 73 in association with the user information corresponding to the user. As a result, by displaying or printing the license agreement stored in the user information storage unit 73 by the access management server X or the multifunction device Y or the like, it is possible to confirm that the user has given consent. It becomes possible to confirm. As described above, the control unit 71 when the image reading unit 1 reads and stores the image data from the document according to the operation of the reading start key K3 displayed in the step S8 is used as the license agreement reading unit. Equivalent to. Of course, the signed license agreement may be stored in storage means provided in the multi-function device Y.

(Step S13)
In step S <b> 13, the control unit 71 allows the multifunction device Y to execute the application. Accordingly, the application can be used by the control unit 5 of the multi-function device Y. In this way, the control unit 71 for permitting the use of the application uses the permission means on the condition that the image data read in step S10 includes the contents and signature of the license agreement. It corresponds to.

  As described above, in the information processing system Z, before the use of the application by the multi-function device Y is started, a license agreement is printed and the signature of the license agreement is confirmed. A license agreement is stored in the access management server X. Therefore, in the information processing system Z, by referring to the license agreement stored in the access management server X afterwards, the user's own signature on the license agreement before the use of the application is started. Can be confirmed.

By the way, the information processing system Z is configured to include the access management server X and the multifunction device Y. However, it is considered as another embodiment that the multifunction device Y includes the components of the access management server X. It is done. In this case, the multifunction machine Y corresponds to the image forming apparatus of the present invention. For example, various processing procedures (see FIG. 3) executed by the control unit 71 are executed by the control unit 5 of the multifunction machine Y. That is, it is conceivable that the control unit 5 functions as a print start display unit, a license agreement printing unit, a reading start display unit, a license agreement reading unit, and a use permission unit. It is also conceivable that each processing procedure of the access management process (see FIG. 3) is shared by the control unit 71 of the access management server X and the control unit 5 of the multifunction machine Y.
Furthermore, it is conceivable that the multi-function device Y uses an application or content executed by another application server (not shown) connected on the communication network 10 via the access management server X. In this case, it is conceivable that the access management server X executes the same processing as the access management processing regarding whether or not each of the multifunction peripherals Y can access the application server (not shown).

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the use of the application has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the use of hardware such as an optional device connected to the access management server X or the multifunction device Y, for example. That is, when the hardware is used in the access management server X or the multifunction machine Y, the control unit 71 or the control unit 5 performs the same process as the access management process by accepting the hardware license agreement. It is possible to perform about.
Similarly, the present invention can be similarly applied to various contents such as images, videos, and music used in the access management server X or the multifunction machine Y, for example. That is, when the content is displayed or played on the access management server X or the multi-function device Y, the control unit 71 or the control unit 5 performs the same process as the access management process on the agreement of the license agreement for the content. It is possible to perform about.

1: Image reading unit 11: Contact glass 12: Reading unit 12A: Reading position 121: LED light source 122: Mirror 13, 14: Mirror 15: Optical lens 16: CCD
17: Motor driver 18: Drive motor 2: ADF
21: Document setting unit 22: Conveying roller 23: Document pressing unit 24: Paper discharge unit 3: Image forming unit 4: Paper feed cassette 5: Control unit 71: Control unit 72: User information storage unit 73: Application data storage unit X: Access management server (an example of information processing equipment)
Y: MFP (an example of an image forming apparatus)
Z: Information processing system (an example of an information processing system)

Claims (7)

Reading start display means for displaying a reading start operation unit for starting an image reading process of a license agreement before starting use of software, hardware, or content;
A license agreement reading unit that reads and stores image data from a document by an image reading unit in accordance with an operation of the reading start operation unit displayed by the reading start display unit;
Usage permission for permitting use of the software, the hardware, or the content, provided that the image data read by the license agreement reading means includes the contents and signature of the license agreement Means,
An information processing apparatus comprising: A license agreement storage means for storing a license agreement of the software, the hardware, or the content;
Print start display means for displaying a print start operation unit for starting printing of the license agreement stored in the license agreement storage means before the use of the software, the hardware, or the content is started. When,
A license agreement printing unit for printing the license agreement by an image forming unit in response to an operation of the print start operation unit displayed by the print start display unit;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reading start display unit displays the reading start operation unit on a condition that the license agreement is printed by the license agreement printing unit.   4. The use permission unit according to claim 1, wherein the use permission unit determines that the image data includes a signature on the condition that the use permission contract is described in a predetermined signature area. The information processing apparatus described in 1.   The use permission means includes the use information for the image data on condition that the identification information of the license agreement stored in the storage means is included in the image data read by the license agreement reading means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus determines that the contents of the license agreement are included. An information processing system comprising an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit that reads image data from a document, an image forming unit that executes an image forming process based on the image data, and a display unit that displays information.
The information processing apparatus includes: a license agreement storage unit that stores a license agreement for software, hardware, or content; and the license agreement before the start of use of the software, hardware, or content. A print start display unit for displaying on the display unit a print start operation unit for starting printing of the license agreement stored in the document storage unit, and the print start operation unit displayed by the print start display unit A license agreement printing means for printing the license agreement by the image forming means in accordance with the operation of the software, and an image reading process of the license agreement before starting to use the software, the hardware, or the content A reading start display means for displaying on the display means a reading start operation section for starting the reading, and the reading start display means. A license agreement reading unit that reads and stores image data from a document by the image reading unit according to an operation of the displayed reading start operation unit, and the image data read by the license agreement reading unit includes the image data An information processing system comprising: use permission means for permitting use of the software, the hardware, or the content on the condition that the contents of a license agreement and a signature are included. Image reading means for reading image data from a document;
Image forming means for executing image forming processing based on image data;
Display means for displaying information;
A license agreement storage means for storing a software, hardware, or content license agreement;
Before starting to use the software, the hardware, or the content, the display unit displays a print start operation unit for starting printing of the license agreement stored in the license agreement storage unit. Printing start display means;
A license agreement printing unit that prints the license agreement by the image forming unit in response to an operation of the print start operation unit displayed by the print start display unit;
A reading start display means for displaying on the display means a reading start operation unit for starting an image reading process of a license agreement before the use of the software, the hardware, or the content is started;
A license agreement reading unit that reads and stores image data from a document by the image reading unit according to an operation of the reading start operation unit displayed by the reading start display unit;
Usage permission for permitting use of the software, the hardware, or the content, provided that the image data read by the license agreement reading means includes the contents and signature of the license agreement Means,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images