JP2014021513A - Image forming apparatus, program, and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to log in an image forming apparatus providing a function to achieve in conjunction with an external service system by simply causing the user to log in the external service system.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 includes: an external log-in processing unit 11 that causes a user to input authentication information to allow the user to log in an external service system 20; a user information file acquisition unit 12 that acquires a user information file corresponding to the logged-in user from the external service system 20; and an apparatus log-in processing unit 13 that refers to the user authentication information included in the acquired user information file to log in the image forming apparatus 10 to allow the user to log in the image forming apparatus 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a program, and an image forming system.

  For example, the functions provided by cloud services and external server systems (hereinafter also referred to as “external service systems”) are provided in direct linkage with the scanning and printing functions installed in the MFP. Has been. For example, this includes a function for storing a document scanned by a multifunction device on a cloud service, a function for printing a document on a cloud service by a multifunction device, and the like. When using such a function realized by linking an external service system and a multifunction device, the user needs to receive user authentication for each of the multifunction device and the external service system.

  Conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which authentication information for logging in to an external service system is held in a multifunction device, and when logging in to the multifunction device, the user is automatically logged in to a web service using the stored authentication information. (For example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4349432

  An object of the present invention is to log in an image forming apparatus that provides a function realized in cooperation with an external service system simply by allowing the user to log in to the external service system.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to an external login processing unit that executes a login process for logging in the external service system by allowing the user to input authentication information, and a user who logs in to the external service system. An acquisition means for acquiring a user information file to be acquired from the external service system, and a login process for logging in to the user's own device with reference to the user authentication information included in the user information file acquired by the acquisition means And an apparatus log-in processing means to execute.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus includes a setting unit configured to perform setting related to use of the user's own device based on setting information included in the user information file acquired by the acquiring unit.

  Further, the setting means sets an environment for the user to use his / her device based on use environment setting information included in a user information file as the setting information.

  The setting means sets information related to the individual user based on the personal setting information included in the user information file as the setting information.

  The image processing device further includes an image processing unit that performs image processing on an electronic file specified by file information included in the user information file acquired by the acquiring unit.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus includes generation means for generating a user information file including at least user authentication information, and registration means for registering the user information file generated by the generation means in the external service system.

  Further, the generation unit includes user authentication information input by a user when logging in to the own device and user authentication information input by the user when logging in to the external service system after logging in to the own device. A user information file is generated, and the registration unit registers a user information file including the user authentication information in the external service system.

  The program according to the present invention includes an external login processing unit that executes login processing for causing a user to input authentication information to log in the external service system by causing the user to input authentication information to the computer mounted on the image forming apparatus, and the external service. An acquisition unit that acquires a user information file corresponding to a user who has logged into the system from the external service system, and refers to the user authentication information included in the user information file acquired by the acquisition unit. It is for functioning as an apparatus login processing means for executing a login process for logging in to the device.

  An image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus and a service system that provides a service to the image forming apparatus. The service system includes a unit that stores a user information file. An image forming apparatus includes: an external login processing unit that executes a login process that causes a user to log in to the service system by inputting authentication information; and a user information file corresponding to the user who has logged into the service system Acquisition means for acquiring from the system, and apparatus login processing means for executing login processing for logging in the user to the own apparatus with reference to the user authentication information included in the user information file acquired by the acquisition means, It is characterized by having.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to log in to an image forming apparatus that provides a function realized in cooperation with an external service system only by allowing the user to log in to the external service system.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus can make settings related to the use of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, an environment specialized for the user to use the image forming apparatus can be set for the image forming apparatus based on the use environment setting information.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to set information suitable for the user to use the image forming apparatus personally based on the personal setting information.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, image processing can be executed on the electronic file specified by the file information.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a user information file to be stored in an external service system can be generated and registered.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to generate a user information file including user authentication information input by a user when logging in to the own apparatus and an external service system.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to log in to an image forming apparatus that provides a function realized in cooperation with an external service system simply by allowing the user to log in to the external service system.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to log in to an image forming apparatus that provides a function realized in cooperation with an external service system only by allowing the user to log in to the external service system.

1 is a block configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is the figure which showed an example of the user information file described in the XML format in this Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the login process in this Embodiment. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a top menu screen displayed before logging in to the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. FIG. It is the figure which showed an example of the login screen prepared in the external service system in this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the application confirmation screen of the user information file in this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the top menu screen of the external service system in this Embodiment. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a top menu screen displayed after logging in to the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a system configuration in which an image forming apparatus 10, an external service system 20, and a personal computer (PC) 2 are connected to a network 1. Although one device is shown in FIG. 1 for convenience, a plurality of devices 10, 20, and 2 may be connected to the network 1.

  The external service system 20 is a server system or a cloud service formed outside equipment such as a business office where the image forming apparatus 10 and the PC 2 are installed, and provides web services to the image forming apparatus 10 and the PC 2 via the network 1. An external service system to be provided. The image forming apparatus 10 is a multi-function machine having various functions such as a copy function and a scanner function, and is an apparatus having a built-in computer. The PC 2 is a computer installed in the same office as the image forming apparatus 10. The network 1 enables data communication between the devices 10, 20, 2. The network 1 may be constructed by combining one or a plurality of LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide Area Networks).

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the CPU 31 controls the operation of various mechanisms installed in the apparatus such as the scanner 34 and the printer engine 36 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 39. The address data bus 32 is connected to various mechanisms to be controlled by the CPU 31 to perform data communication. The operation panel 33 receives instructions from the user and displays information. The scanner 34 reads a document set by a user and stores it as electronic data in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 35 or the like. The HDD 35 stores an electronic document read using the scanner 34. The printer engine 36 prints an image on output paper in accordance with an instruction from a control program executed by the CPU 31. A network interface (I / F) 37 is connected to the network 1, transmits image data read by the scanner 34 and files stored in the HDD 35, receives an e-mail transmitted to the apparatus, or via a browser. Used to access this device. The RAM 38 is used as a work memory during program execution and a communication buffer during electronic data transmission / reception. The ROM 39 stores various programs relating to control of the apparatus, encryption of electronic data, and transmission / reception of electronic data. By executing various programs, each component described later exhibits a predetermined processing function. An external media interface (I / F) 40 is an interface with an external memory device such as a USB memory or a flash memory.

  The external service system 20 may be realized by a hardware configuration of a general-purpose server computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, input / output means, communication means, and the like. The external service system 20 may be realized by a combination of a plurality of computers. The PC 2 may also be realized by a general-purpose computer hardware configuration.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an external login processing unit 11, a user information file acquisition unit 12, a device login processing unit 13, a setting unit 14, a user information file generation unit 15, and a user information file registration. A unit 16, an image processing unit 17, and a control unit 18. Note that a configuration that is not used in the description of the present embodiment is omitted. The external login processing unit 11 is provided as an external login processing unit, and executes login processing for logging in the user to the external service system 20 by allowing the user to input authentication information. The user information file acquisition unit 12 is provided as an acquisition unit, and acquires from the external service system 20 a user information file corresponding to a user who has logged into the external service system 20. The apparatus login processing unit 13 is provided as an apparatus login processing unit, and executes a login process for logging in the user to the image forming apparatus 10. In particular, the apparatus login processing unit 13 according to the present embodiment refers to the user authentication information included in the user information file acquired by the user information file acquisition unit 12 and refers to the user's own image forming apparatus 10. Execute login. The setting unit 14 is provided as a setting unit, and performs settings related to the use of the image forming apparatus 10 of the user based on the setting information included in the user information file acquired by the user information file acquisition unit 12. The user information file generation unit 15 is provided as a generation unit, and generates a user information file including at least user authentication information. The user information file registration unit 16 is provided as a registration unit, and registers the user information file generated by the user information file generation unit 15 in the external service system 20. The image processing unit 17 is provided as image processing means, and executes image processing on an electronic file specified by file information included in the user information file acquired by the acquisition means. The control unit 18 performs execution control of each component 11 to 17.

  Each of the components 11 to 17 in the image forming apparatus 10 is realized by a cooperative operation of a computer mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 and a program that operates on the CPU 31 included in the computer.

  The external service system 20 includes a user authentication unit 21, a user information file transmission unit 22, a user information file management unit 23, and a user information file storage unit 24. The user authentication unit 21 performs user authentication in response to a login request sent by a login process in the image forming apparatus 10. The user information file transmission unit 22 extracts the user information file corresponding to the user who has successfully logged in from the user information file storage unit 24 and transmits the user information file to the image forming apparatus 10 that is the login request destination. The user information file management unit 23 manages registration, deletion, update, and the like of the user information file stored in the user information file storage unit 24.

  The user information file storage unit 24 stores user information related to each user who uses the image forming apparatus 10 in a file format for each user. The user information includes user authentication information, file information, and setting information. The user authentication information is information necessary for logging in to the image forming apparatus 10 and includes a login ID (user ID) and a password. When the setting contents are different depending on the image forming apparatus 10, a device ID is associated with the set of login ID and password as identification information of the image forming apparatus 10. The file information includes information for specifying the electronic file itself or the storage location of the electronic file as information for specifying the electronic file to be subjected to image processing in the image processing unit 17.

  The setting information includes usage environment information for setting an environment for the user to use the image forming apparatus 10 and information for the user to use the image forming apparatus 10 more personally as information related to the individual user. Personalized information (personal setting information) is included. Among these, the usage environment information includes, for example, restriction information on usage restrictions, such as the availability of various functions in the image forming apparatus 10 such as color copying and facsimile transmission, and the maximum value of the number of printed sheets. The function information for linking the image forming apparatus 10 with the external service system 20 includes the plug-in itself for linking the external service system or information for specifying the storage location of the plug-in. On the other hand, the personalized information includes an email address of the user, an address book used by individuals, a list of frequently used functions, information on plug-ins used by individuals, and the like.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a user information file described in an XML (extensible Markup Language) format. This user information file includes user authentication information 41 and setting information 42.

  Each component 21-23 in the external service system 20 is implement | achieved by cooperation operation | movement with the program which operate | moves with the computer which forms the external service system 20, and CPU mounted in the computer. The user information file storage unit 24 is realized by an HDD included in the external service system 20.

  Further, the program used in this embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by storing it in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. The program provided from the communication means or the recording medium is installed in the computer, and various processes are realized by the CPU of the computer sequentially executing the program.

  Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is characterized in that when the user operates the image forming apparatus 10 and logs in to the external service system 20, the image forming apparatus 10 that is operating is automatically logged in. Hereinafter, the login process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a top menu screen displayed on the operation panel 33 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The user instructs the execution of a desired function by selecting an operation button displayed on the top menu screen. Here, as a function realized in direct cooperation with the external service system 20, an “external service” It is assumed that the “Login 1” button 43 is selected. When the selection of this function is accepted (step 101), the control unit 18 activates the external login processing unit 11. When activated, the external login processing unit 11 displays a login screen prepared in the external service system 20 illustrated in FIG. 6 on the operation panel 33 in cooperation with the external service system 20 (step 102). When the user inputs his / her user ID (login ID) and password from the login screen of the external service system 20, the external login processing unit 11 sends a login request including the input login ID and password to the external service system 20. Send to.

  The user authentication unit 21 in the external service system 20 performs user authentication based on the login ID and password included in the transmitted login request. If the authentication is successful, the external login processing unit 11 logs the user into the external service system 20 in cooperation with the user authentication unit 21 of the external service system 20 (step 103).

  After successful authentication, the user authentication unit 21 in the external service system 20 searches the user information file storage unit 24 based on the user ID of the user who has successfully logged in (step 104). Here, when there is a user information file corresponding to the user who has successfully logged in (Y in step 105), the user authentication unit 21 determines whether or not the user information file illustrated in FIG. Is displayed on the operation panel 33 (step 106).

  Here, since the user desires to apply the user information file, the “apply” button 44 displayed on the application confirmation screen is selected. When the selection of the apply button 44 by the user is detected (Y in Step 107), the control unit 18 activates the user information file acquisition unit 12. When activated, the user information file acquisition unit 12 transmits a user information file acquisition request including the user ID (login ID) of the user to the external service system 20. In response to this acquisition request, the user information file transmission unit 22 in the external service system 20 extracts the user information file corresponding to the user from the user information file storage unit 24 and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 10 that is the acquisition request transmission source.

  In this manner, when the image forming apparatus 10 acquires the user information file of the login user from the external service system 20 that is the login destination (step 108), the apparatus login processing unit 13 extracts the user authentication information from the acquired user information file. The user logs in to the image forming apparatus 10 (step 109).

  The user selects either the “apply” button 44 or the “do not apply” button 45 from the application confirmation screen. Even if any button 44 or 45 is selected (Y, N in step 107). In addition, even when there is no user information file corresponding to the user who has successfully logged in (N in Step 105), the top menu screen of the login destination external service system 20 is displayed on the operation panel 33. An example of the top menu screen of the external service system in the present embodiment is shown in FIG.

  When the “return to top menu” button 46 is selected by the user when the apply button 44 is selected, the user is automatically logged in to the image forming apparatus 10, so that the logged-in top menu screen is displayed on the operation palette 33. Is displayed. FIG. 9 shows an example of the top menu screen when the user with the user ID “ID23195” logs in.

  On the other hand, when the user information file is not applied, since the user has not logged in to the image forming apparatus 10, the apparatus login processing unit 13 displays a login screen according to a predetermined user operation as before. The user authentication is performed by allowing the user to input the login ID and password for the image forming apparatus 10.

  In the present embodiment, the apparatus login processing unit 13 logs the user into the image forming apparatus 10 with reference to the user authentication information included in the user information file acquired from the external service system 20 in this way. That is, the user logs in to the external service system 20 and selects application of the user information file from the application confirmation screen, so that the user does not have to input the login ID and password to the currently used image forming apparatus 10. You are logged in. In the present embodiment, since the user authentication information of the image forming apparatus 10 is held in the external service system 20, if the user logs in to the external service system 20 from other image forming apparatuses 10 in the same manner as described above, the user In this state, the user information file stored in the external service system 20 is used to log in to another image forming apparatus 10.

  As described above, when the login to the image forming apparatus 10 is successful using the user information file, the control unit 18 activates the setting unit 14 to execute various settings related to the use of the user's own device.

  That is, when activated, the setting unit 14 refers to the user information file. When the usage environment setting information is included in the user information file, the user uses the device according to the content of the usage environment setting information. Set up the environment for For example, when the color copy is prohibited, the user sets the color copy button so that it cannot be selected from the copy function menu screen. If the use environment setting information includes a plug-in, the plug-in is installed and set to an available environment. Furthermore, when personal setting information is included in the user information file, various settings are performed on the image forming apparatus 10 in accordance with the contents of the personal setting information. For example, when using an e-mail transmission function (ScanToEmail) that transmits a scanned document by e-mail, its e-mail address is automatically set as the e-mail destination, and the address of the user as the destination Set so that only addresses registered in the book can be selected. In addition, a UI screen created for personal use is set to be usable. For example, as in the top menu screen shown in FIG. 9, a copy function that is permitted to be used by the user, a function that sends and saves a scanned document to the PC 2, a function that saves a scanned document in the external service 1, and an external service 1 displays a top menu screen in which only the function of the function of printing the document stored in 1 can be selected.

  In this embodiment, various settings are automatically performed based on the setting information included in the user information file. However, the user may be inquired and selected the setting to be executed in advance. Good. These settings may be automatically canceled when the user logs out.

  Further, when the file information is included in the user information file, the control unit 18 activates the image processing unit 17. When the image processing unit 17 is activated, if the user information file includes an electronic file as file information, the image processing unit 17 executes predetermined image processing on the electronic file. In addition, when the user information file includes the storage information of the electronic file as file information, the electronic file is acquired from the storage destination specified from the storage destination information, and predetermined image processing is performed on the electronic file. Run. The predetermined image processing here may be predetermined processing such as printing, or when the processing to be performed is specified in the file information, the specified processing may be performed.

  By the way, the user information file saved by the user information file storage unit 24 of the external service system 20 may be generated and registered as follows.

  Basically, the user information file is generated and registered in the external service system 20 by the image forming apparatus 10 or the PC 2 independently generating and registering, and the image forming apparatus 10 and the PC 2 cooperating to generate and register the user information file. There is a method. In the former case, since the present embodiment cannot be implemented at first, the user logs in to the external service system 20 after logging in to the image forming apparatus 10 from the image forming apparatus 10. Obtains the login ID and password input at the time of login, and generates a user information file. Then, the user information file registration unit 16 requests the user information file management unit 23 to register the generated user information file. Alternatively, the PC 2 generates a user information file by inputting the login ID and password of the image forming apparatus 10 and the external service system 20 from a predetermined setting screen, and registers the user information file in the user information file management unit 23. Ask.

  In the latter case, a method combining the above methods can be considered. That is, since the user logs in to the external service system 20 after logging in to the image forming apparatus 10 from the image forming apparatus 10, the user information file generation unit 15 acquires the login ID and password input at the time of this login, respectively. Then, a request for generating a user information file including the acquired information is transmitted to the PC 2. The PC 2 generates a user information file in response to the generation request, and requests the user information file management unit 23 to register the user information file. Since the image forming apparatus 10 basically has only the operation panel 33 as input means, in this method, text description by XML is performed using the PC 2 having input means such as a keyboard and a mouse.

  Further, instead of issuing an acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 10, user authentication information may be acquired by connecting to the image forming apparatus 10 from the PC 2 using a browser or the like.

  Although the generation and registration of the user information file has been described above, the image forming apparatus 10 or the PC 2 may also have the editing of the user information file.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network, 2 Personal computer (PC), 10 Image forming apparatus, 11 External login process part, 12 User information file acquisition part, 13 Apparatus login process part, 14 Setting part, 15 User information file generation part, 16 User information file registration Unit, 17 image processing unit, 18 control unit, 20 external service system, 21 user authentication unit, 22 user information file transmission unit, 23 user information file management unit, 24 user information file storage unit, 31 CPU, 32 address data bus, 33 Operation panel, 34 Scanner, 35 Hard disk drive (HDD), 36 Printer engine, 37 Network interface (I / F), 38 RAM, 39 ROM, 40 External media interface (I / F).

Claims (9)

An external login processing means for executing a login process for logging the user into an external service system by allowing the user to input authentication information;
Obtaining means for obtaining a user information file corresponding to a user who has logged into the external service system from the external service system;
Device login processing means for executing login processing for logging in to the user's own device with reference to the user authentication information included in the user information file acquired by the acquisition means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to perform settings related to use of the user's own apparatus based on setting information included in the user information file acquired by the acquiring unit.   The image according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit sets an environment for the user to use the user apparatus based on use environment setting information included in a user information file as the setting information. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit sets information related to the individual user based on personal setting information included in a user information file as the setting information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image processing unit configured to perform image processing on an electronic file specified by file information included in the user information file acquired by the acquisition unit. . Generating means for generating a user information file including at least user authentication information;
Registration means for registering the user information file generated by the generation means in the external service system;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The generating unit includes user authentication information input by a user when logging in to the own device and user information including user authentication information input by the user when logging into the external service system after logging in to the own device. Generate a file
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the registration unit registers a user information file including the user authentication information in the external service system. A computer installed in the image forming apparatus
An external login processing means for executing login processing for logging the user into an external service system by allowing the user to input authentication information;
Obtaining means for obtaining a user information file corresponding to a user logged in to the external service system from the external service system;
Device login processing means for executing login processing for logging in the user to the own device with reference to the user authentication information included in the user information file acquired by the acquisition means;
Program to function as. An image forming apparatus;
A service system for providing a service to the image forming apparatus;
Have
The service system has means for storing a user information file,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An external login processing means for executing login processing for logging the user into the service system by allowing the user to input authentication information;
Obtaining means for obtaining from the service system a user information file corresponding to a user logged into the service system;
Device login processing means for executing login processing for logging the user into the own device with reference to the user authentication information included in the user information file acquired by the acquisition means;
An image forming system comprising:

Images