JP6838583B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing device capable of communicating with another image processing device.

There is known an image forming apparatus capable of arbitrarily selecting whether to perform user authentication with a PC connected to the image forming apparatus or to perform user authentication by the image forming apparatus itself (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-56393

In order to perform user authentication in the image processing device, it is necessary to register the user authentication information (user ID, password, etc.) used in the user authentication in the image processing device in advance. Therefore, when enabling a user to log in to an arbitrary image processing device in an environment where a plurality of image processing devices are provided, an authentication server for user authentication is provided, or user authentication information is individually provided for each image processing device. Need to be registered.

However, when an authentication server is provided, the cost of the authentication server is high. Further, when the user authentication information is registered individually for each image processing device, the registration work is troublesome and a storage area for storing the user authentication information is required for each image processing device.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device capable of reducing the labor of registering user authentication information and reducing the storage capacity for storing user authentication information.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a first reception processing unit, a first confirmation processing unit, a selection processing unit, and a storage processing unit. The first reception processing unit accepts a new registration operation of user authentication information corresponding to the user. When the new registration operation is accepted by the first reception processing unit, the first confirmation processing unit is connected to its own image processing device or another image processing device communicably connected to its own image processing device. It is confirmed whether or not the user authentication information corresponding to the user is stored. When it is confirmed by the first confirmation processing unit that the user authentication information is not stored in either its own image processing device or the other image processing device, the selection processing unit receives its own image processing device. And the image processing device to be the storage location of the user authentication information is selected from the other image processing devices. The storage processing unit stores the user authentication information in the image processing device selected by the selection processing unit.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing device capable of reducing the labor of registering user authentication information and reducing the storage capacity for storing user authentication information.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of user authentication information used in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of acquisition frequency information used in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of user registration processing executed by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a login processing procedure executed by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for the purpose of understanding the present invention. The following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of image processing devices 2 that are communicably connected to each other through a communication network N1 such as a telephone line, the Internet, or a LAN. Specifically, the image processing system 1 includes six image processing devices 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the individual image processing devices 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F, they are collectively referred to as the image processing device 2.

[Configuration of image processing device]
As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing device 2 includes an operation display unit 21, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22, an image reading unit 23, an image forming unit 24, a communication I / F 25, a storage unit 26, and a control unit 27. And so on. Specifically, the image processing device 2 is a multifunction device having a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like. The present invention is not limited to multifunction devices, and can be applied to any image processing device such as a copier, a scanner, a printer, and a facsimile machine.

The operation display unit 21 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel and operation buttons that accept user operations.

The ADF 22 is an automatic document transporting device that includes a document setting unit, a transport roller, a document retainer, and a paper ejection section, and transports a document to be read by the image reading unit 23.

The image reading unit 23 includes a platen, a light source, a mirror, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and can read an image of a document and output it as image data.

The image forming unit 24 can execute a printing process based on the image data by an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method, and forms an image on the sheet based on the image data. For example, when the image forming unit 24 is an electrophotographic image forming unit, the image forming unit 24 includes a photoconductor drum, a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like.

The communication I / F25 can execute communication processing according to a predetermined communication protocol with another image processing device 2, a facsimile machine (not shown), a personal computer (not shown), or the like via the communication network N1. A possible communication interface.

The storage unit 26 is a non-volatile storage unit such as a hard disk or EEPROM (registered trademark). The storage unit 26 stores various control programs executed by the control unit 27, various data, and the like. User authentication information D1 (FIG. 3) and acquisition count information D2 (FIG. 4) are stored in the storage unit 26.

The user authentication information D1 is information used in the user authentication process for authenticating the user who uses the image processing device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the user authentication information D1 includes information of "user ID", "password", and "access level" for each user. The "user ID" is identification information for identifying the user. The "password" is a character string preset for each user.

By the way, in general, in order to perform user authentication in an image processing device, it is necessary to register user authentication information (user ID, password, etc.) used in user authentication in the image processing device in advance. Therefore, when enabling a user to log in to an arbitrary image processing device in an environment where a plurality of image processing devices are provided, an authentication server for user authentication is provided, or user authentication information is individually provided for each image processing device. Need to be registered. However, when an authentication server is provided, the cost of the authentication server is high. Further, when the user authentication information is registered individually for each image processing device, the registration work is troublesome and a storage area for storing the user authentication information is required for each image processing device. On the other hand, according to the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the labor of registering the user authentication information D1 and reduce the storage capacity for storing the user authentication information D1. is there.

The control unit 27 includes control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for various processes executed by the CPU.

Specifically, the control unit 27 includes a first reception processing unit 271, a first confirmation processing unit 272, a selection processing unit 273, a storage processing unit 274, a second reception processing unit 275, a second confirmation processing unit 276, and an authentication processing unit. 277, acquisition processing unit 278, count processing unit 279, and change processing unit 280 are included. The control unit 27 functions as each of these processing units by executing various processes according to the control program. Further, the control unit 27 may include an electronic circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) that realizes a part or a plurality of processing functions of each of these processing units.

The first reception processing unit 271 accepts a new registration operation of the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user. The new registration operation is, for example, an input operation for inputting a user ID corresponding to a user who wants to newly register. For example, the first reception processing unit 271 is a user ID input screen for inputting a user ID corresponding to a user who wants to be newly registered when the user registration key displayed on the operation display unit 21 is operated. (Shown) is displayed on the operation display unit 21. Then, the first reception processing unit 271 acquires the user ID input through the user ID input screen.

When the new registration operation is accepted by the first reception processing unit 271, the first confirmation processing unit 272 is connected to its own image processing device 2 or its own image processing device 2 so as to be communicable with other images. It is confirmed whether or not the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user (that is, the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user ID input through the user ID input screen) is stored in the processing device 2. In the following, the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user may be simply referred to as "the user authentication information D1". Further, in the following, the own image processing device 2 may be simply referred to as "own device 2". Further, in the following, the other image processing device 2 may be simply referred to as "another device 2". Specifically, when the user authentication information D1 is not stored in the own device 2, the first confirmation processing unit 272 inquires the other device 2 whether or not the user authentication information D1 is stored. For example, when the new registration operation is accepted by the first reception processing unit 271 of the image processing device 2A and the user authentication information D1 is not stored in the image processing device 2A, the first confirmation processing unit 272 of the image processing device 2A Transmits a signal for inquiring whether or not the user authentication information D1 is stored to other image processing devices 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F through the communication network N1. Then, the first confirmation processing unit 272 of the image processing device 2A receives the response signals from the other image processing devices 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F through the communication network N1.

When it is confirmed by the first confirmation processing unit 272 that the user authentication information D1 is not stored in the own device 2 or the other device 2, the selection processing unit 273 is among the own device 2 and the other device 2. Select the image processing device 2 that serves as the storage location for the user authentication information D1. For example, the selection processing unit 273 selects the image processing device 2 to be the storage location of the user authentication information D1 based on the free space of the storage unit 26 provided in each of the own device 2 and the other device 2. Specifically, when the free space of the storage unit 26 provided in the own device 2 satisfies the predetermined free space shortage condition, the selection processing unit 273 has a free space in the storage unit 26 among the other devices 2. The image processing device 2 having the largest capacity may be selected as the storage location of the user authentication information D1. The free space shortage condition is, for example, that the free space of the storage unit 26 is smaller than the data size of the user authentication information D1, and that the free space of the storage unit 26 is less than a predetermined threshold value.

The storage processing unit 274 stores the user authentication information D1 in the image processing device 2 selected by the selection processing unit 273. Specifically, when the own device 2 is selected by the selection processing unit 273, the storage processing unit 274 stores the user authentication information D1 in the storage unit 26 of the own device 2. On the other hand, when the other device 2 is selected by the selection processing unit 273, the storage processing unit 274 transmits the user authentication information D1 to the other device 2 selected by the selection processing unit 273, and the other device 2 The storage unit 26 stores the user authentication information D1.

The second reception processing unit 275 accepts a login operation by the user. The login operation is, for example, an input operation for inputting a user ID and a password. For example, the second reception processing unit 275 displays a login screen (not shown) for inputting a user ID and password on the operation display unit 21 when the login key displayed on the operation display unit 21 is operated. Display it. Then, the second reception processing unit 275 acquires the user ID and password entered through the login screen.

When the login operation is accepted by the second reception processing unit 275, the second confirmation processing unit 276 sends the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user (that is, through the login screen) to the own device 2 or the other device 2. It is confirmed whether or not the user authentication information D1) corresponding to the input user ID is saved. In the following, the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user is simply referred to as "the user authentication information D1". Specifically, when the user authentication information D1 is not stored in the own device 2, the second confirmation processing unit 276 inquires the other device 2 whether or not the user authentication information D1 is stored. For example, when the login operation is received by the second reception processing unit 275 of the image processing device 2A and the user authentication information D1 is not stored in the image processing device 2A, the second confirmation processing unit 276 of the image processing device 2A , A signal inquiring whether or not the user authentication information D1 is stored is transmitted to other image processing devices 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F through the communication network N1. Then, the second confirmation processing unit 276 of the image processing device 2A receives the response signals from the other image processing devices 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F through the communication network N1.

The authentication processing unit 277 performs user authentication processing based on the user authentication information D1 stored in the own device 2 or the other device 2. Specifically, the authentication processing unit 277 is based on the user authentication information D1 when it is confirmed by the second confirmation processing unit 276 that the user authentication information D1 is stored in the own device 2 or the other device 2. To perform user authentication processing. Specifically, the authentication processing unit 277 performs the user authentication process by collating the user ID and password entered through the login screen with the password included in the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user ID. Do.

When it is confirmed by the second confirmation processing unit 276 that the user authentication information D1 is stored in the other device 2, the acquisition processing unit 278 acquires the user authentication information D1 from the other device 2 and owns the device. Temporarily save to 2. For example, the acquisition processing unit 278 transmits a signal requesting the user authentication information D1 to the other device 2 in which the user authentication information D1 is stored through the communication network N1. Then, the acquisition processing unit 278 receives the user authentication information D1 from the other device 2 through the communication network N1. The acquisition processing unit 278 may receive the user authentication information D1 together with the response signal from the other device 2 to the signal asking whether the user authentication information D1 is stored.

The acquisition processing unit 278 temporarily stores the user authentication information D1 acquired from the other device 2 in the storage unit 26 or the RAM. The user authentication information D1 temporarily stored in the storage unit 26 or the RAM in this way is erased from the storage unit 26 or the RAM when the user logs off. Therefore, the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the same user is not duplicated and stored in the plurality of image processing devices 2.

The count processing unit 279 counts the number of times the user authentication information D1 is acquired from the other device 2 by the acquisition processing unit 278 for each user. For example, the count processing unit 279 updates the acquisition number information D2 shown in FIG. 4 every time the user authentication information D1 is acquired from the other device 2 by the acquisition processing unit 278. As shown in FIG. 4, the acquisition number information D2 includes information on the "user ID" and the "acquisition number" for each user corresponding to the user authentication information D1 acquired from the other device 2. The "user ID" is identification information for identifying the user. The "acquisition count" is the number of acquisitions of the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user from the other device 2. For example, when the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user D is newly acquired from the other device 2, the count processing unit 279 increments the "acquisition number" corresponding to the user D.

The count processing unit 279 counts the number of times the user authentication information D1 is acquired for each preset period (for example, every week from Monday to Sunday, every month from the beginning of the month to the end of the month, etc.). You may. That is, the information of the "acquisition number" in the acquisition number information D2 may be reset to 0 at a predetermined timing. Further, the count processing unit 279 has the latest predetermined period (for example, the latest one week) based on the acquisition history information (not shown) in which the date and time when the user authentication information D1 is acquired from the other device 2 is recorded. , The most recent month, etc.), the number of times the user authentication information D1 is acquired may be counted.

The change processing unit 280 stores the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user when the count result by the count processing unit 279 for the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user satisfies a predetermined change condition. Is changed from the other device 2 to the own device 2. The change condition is, for example, in the acquisition count information D2, the value of the "acquisition count" for the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user is a predetermined threshold value (for example, 2 times, 5 times, 10 times, etc.). Is to reach. Specifically, the change processing unit 280 sets the current storage location of the user authentication information D1 when the count result of the user authentication information D1 corresponding to a certain user by the count processing unit 279 satisfies the change condition. A signal to change the storage location of the user authentication information D1 is transmitted to a certain other device 2 through the communication network N1. Then, the change processing unit 280 permanently stores the user authentication information D1 in the storage unit 26 of the own device 2. On the other hand, in the other device 2, the user authentication information D1 is deleted from the storage unit 26. As a result, the storage location of the user authentication information D1 is automatically changed to the image processing device 2 often used by the user corresponding to the user authentication information D1.

[User registration process]
Next, an example of the procedure of the user registration process executed by the control unit 27 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, steps S11, S12, ... Represent the number of the processing procedure (step) executed by the control unit 27. The user registration process is started, for example, in response to a preset user registration operation (for example, an operation of a user registration key displayed on the operation display unit 21).

<Step S11>
First, in step S11, the control unit 27 acquires the user ID through the operation display unit 21. For example, the control unit 27 causes the operation display unit 21 to display a user ID input screen (not shown) for inputting a user ID corresponding to a user who wants to be newly registered. Then, the control unit 27 acquires the user ID input through the user ID input screen. The process of step S11 is executed by the first reception processing unit 271 of the control unit 27.

<Step S12>
In step S12, the control unit 27 determines whether or not the user authentication information D1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "the user authentication information D1") corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S11 is stored in the own device 2. To judge. Then, when it is determined that the user authentication information D1 is stored in the own device 2 (S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user authentication information D1 is not stored in the own device 2 (S12: No), the process proceeds to step S13. The process of step S12 is executed by the first confirmation process unit 272 of the control unit 27.

<Step S13>
In step S13, the control unit 27 asks the other device 2 whether or not the user authentication information D1 is stored. For example, when the own device 2 is an image processing device 2A, the control unit 27 sends a signal for inquiring whether or not the user authentication information D1 is stored to other image processing devices 2B, 2C through the communication network N1. , 2D, 2E, 2F. The process of step S13 is executed by the first confirmation process unit 272 of the control unit 27.

<Step S14>
In step S14, the control unit 27 determines whether or not the user authentication information D1 is stored in the other device 2. For example, the control unit 27 stores the user authentication information D1 in the other device 2 based on the response signals from each of the other devices 2 to the signal for inquiring whether the user authentication information D1 is stored. Judge whether or not. Then, when it is determined that the user authentication information D1 is stored in the other device 2 (S14: Yes), the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user authentication information D1 is not stored in the other device 2 (S14: No), the process proceeds to step S16. The process of step S14 is executed by the first confirmation process unit 272 of the control unit 27.

<Step S15>
In step S15, the control unit 27 performs error processing. For example, the control unit 27 causes the operation display unit 21 to display a warning message indicating that the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S11 has been registered. Then, the user registration process is completed.

<Step S16>
On the other hand, in step S16, the control unit 27 acquires the password corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S11. For example, the control unit 27 causes the operation display unit 21 to display a password input screen (not shown) for inputting a password corresponding to the user ID. Then, the control unit 27 acquires the password input through the password input screen. The process of step S16 is executed by the first reception processing unit 271 of the control unit 27.

In another embodiment, when the user ID is acquired in step S11, the control unit 27 may acquire the password at the same time as the user ID. For example, the control unit 27 may display an input screen (not shown) for inputting a user ID corresponding to the user who wants to be newly registered and a password corresponding to the user ID on the operation display unit 21. Then, the control unit 27 may acquire the user ID input through the input screen.

<Step S17>
In step S17, the control unit 27 determines whether or not the free space of the own device 2 is insufficient. Specifically, when the free space of the storage unit 26 of the own device 2 satisfies the free space shortage condition, the control unit 27 determines that the free space of the own device 2 is insufficient. Then, when it is determined that the free space of the own device 2 is insufficient (S17: Yes), the process proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, when it is determined that the free space of the own device 2 is not insufficient (S17: No), the process proceeds to step S18. The process of step S17 is executed by the selection process unit 273 of the control unit 27.

<Step S18>
In step S18, the control unit 27 stores the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S11 in the own device 2. Specifically, the control unit 27 stores the user authentication information D1 including the user ID acquired in step S11 and the password acquired in step S16 in the storage unit 26 of the own device 2. Then, the user registration process is completed. The process of step S18 is executed by the storage process unit 274 of the control unit 27.

<Step S19>
On the other hand, in step S19, the control unit 27 acquires the free capacity of the other device 2. For example, the control unit 27 transmits a signal for inquiring about the free capacity to each of the other devices 2 through the communication network N1. Then, the control unit 27 receives a response signal including information on the free capacity of the storage unit 26 of the other device 2 from each of the other devices 2 through the communication network N1. The process of step S19 is executed by the selection process unit 273 of the control unit 27.

In another embodiment, the response signal from each of the other devices 2 to the inquiry made in step S13 may include information on the free capacity of the other device 2. In this case, the control unit 27 acquires information on the free capacity of the other device 2 from the response signal.

<Step S20>
In step S20, the control unit 27 selects another device 2 that serves as a storage location for the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S11. For example, the control unit 27 selects the other device 2 having the largest free space as the storage location of the user authentication information D1 based on the free space of the other device 2 acquired in step S19. The process of step S20 is executed by the selection process unit 273 of the control unit 27.

<Step S21>
In step S21, the control unit 27 stores the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S11 in the other device 2 selected in step S20. Specifically, the control unit 27 transmits the user authentication information D1 including the user ID acquired in step S11 and the password acquired in step S16 to the other device 2 selected in step S20. .. As a result, the user authentication information D1 is stored in the storage unit 26 of the other device 2 selected in step S20. Then, the user registration process is completed. The process of step S21 is executed by the storage process unit 274 of the control unit 27.

[Login process]
Next, an example of the procedure of the login process executed by the control unit 27 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, steps S31, S32, ... Represent the number of the processing procedure (step) executed by the control unit 27. The login process is started, for example, in response to a preset login operation (for example, an operation of a login key displayed on the operation display unit 21).

<Step S31>
First, in step S31, the control unit 27 acquires the user ID and password of the user who wants to log in. For example, the control unit 27 causes the operation display unit 21 to display a login screen (not shown) for inputting a user ID and a password. Then, the control unit 27 acquires the user ID and password entered through the login screen. The process of step S31 is executed by the second reception processing unit 275 of the control unit 27.

<Step S32>
In step S32, the control unit 27 determines whether or not the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S31 is stored in the storage unit 26 of the own device 2. Then, when it is determined that the user authentication information D1 is stored in the storage unit 26 of the own device 2 (S32: Yes), the process proceeds to step S40. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user authentication information D1 is not stored in the storage unit 26 of the own device 2 (S32: No), the process proceeds to step S33. The process of step S32 is executed by the second confirmation process unit 276 of the control unit 27.

<Step S33>
In step S33, the control unit 27 asks the other device 2 whether or not the user authentication information D1 is stored. For example, when the own device 2 is an image processing device 2A, the control unit 27 sends a signal for inquiring whether or not the user authentication information D1 is stored to other image processing devices 2B, 2C through the communication network N1. , 2D, 2E, 2F. The process of step S33 is executed by the second confirmation process unit 276 of the control unit 27.

<Step S34>
In step S34, the control unit 27 determines whether or not the user authentication information D1 is stored in the other device 2. For example, the control unit 27 stores the user authentication information D1 in the other device 2 based on the response signals from each of the other devices 2 to the signal for inquiring whether the user authentication information D1 is stored. Judge whether or not. Then, when it is determined that the user authentication information D1 is stored in the other device 2 (S34: Yes), the process proceeds to step S35. On the other hand, when it is determined that the user authentication information D1 is not stored in the other device 2 (S34: No), the process proceeds to step S41. The process of step S34 is executed by the second confirmation process unit 276 of the control unit 27.

<Step S35>
In step S35, the control unit 27 acquires the user authentication information D1 from the other device 2 in which the user authentication information D1 is stored. For example, the control unit 27 transmits a signal requesting the user authentication information D1 to the other device 2 in which the user authentication information D1 is stored through the communication network N1, and the user authentication information D1 is transmitted from the other device 2 to the other device 2. Receive. The process of step S35 is executed by the acquisition process unit 278 of the control unit 27.

In another embodiment, the user authentication information D1 is included in the response signal from the other device 2 (that is, the other device 2 in which the user authentication information D1 is stored) to the inquiry made in step S33. You may be. In this case, the control unit 27 acquires the user authentication information D1 from the response signal.

<Step S36>
In step S36, the control unit 27 temporarily stores the user authentication information D1 acquired in step S35 in its own device 2. For example, the control unit 27 temporarily stores the user authentication information D1 in the storage unit 26 of the own device 2 or the RAM. The process of step S36 is executed by the acquisition process unit 278 of the control unit 27.

<Step S37>
In step S37, the control unit 27 updates the acquisition number information D2. Specifically, the control unit 27 increments the "acquisition number" corresponding to the user ID included in the user authentication information D1 acquired in step S35 in the acquisition number information D2. The process of step S37 is executed by the count processing unit 279 of the control unit 27.

<Step S38>
In step S38, the control unit 27 determines whether or not the acquisition number information D2 updated in step S37 satisfies the change condition. For example, in the control unit 27, the value of the “acquisition number” corresponding to the user ID included in the user authentication information D1 acquired in step S35 is set to a predetermined threshold value (for example, 2 times, 5 times, 10 times). When the number of times is reached, it is judged that the above-mentioned change condition is satisfied. Then, when it is determined that the change condition is satisfied (S38: Yes), the process proceeds to step S39. On the other hand, if it is determined that the change condition is not satisfied (S38: No), the process proceeds to step S40.

<Step S39>
In step S39, the control unit 27 changes the storage location of the user authentication information D1 acquired in step S35 from the other device 2 to the own device 2. For example, the control unit 27 transmits a signal to change the storage location of the user authentication information D1 to the other device 2 which is the current storage location of the user authentication information D1 through the communication network N1. Then, the control unit 27 permanently stores the user authentication information D1 temporarily stored in the own device 2 in the step S36 in the storage unit 26 of the own device 2. On the other hand, in the other device 2, the user authentication information D1 is deleted from the storage unit 26. The process of step S39 is executed by the change processing unit 280 of the control unit 27.

In this way, when it is determined that the change condition is satisfied, the storage location of the user authentication information D1 is automatically changed from the other device 2 to the own device 2. Therefore, when the user corresponding to the user authentication information D1 tries to log in to the own device 2 again at a later date, it is not necessary to execute the processes of steps S33 to S39. Therefore, the processing load of the login process from the next time onward can be reduced. Further, the communication traffic of the communication network N1 can be reduced.

<Step S40>
In step S40, the control unit 27 performs the user authentication process based on the user authentication information D1. Then, the login process is completed. The process of step S40 is executed by the authentication processing unit 277 of the control unit 27.

The user authentication information temporarily stored in the storage unit 26 of the own device 2 or the RAM in the step S36 is erased from the storage unit 26 or the RAM when the user corresponding to the user authentication information logs off. Will be done.

<Step S41>
On the other hand, in step S41, the control unit 27 performs error processing. For example, the control unit 27 causes the operation display unit 21 to display a warning message indicating that the user authentication information D1 corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S31 is not registered. Then, the login process is completed.

As described above, in the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, any one of the plurality of image processing devices 2 in which the user authentication information D1 corresponding to each user is communicably connected to each other through the communication network N1. It is stored in one image processing device 2. Then, the user authentication process based on the user authentication information D1 can be performed in any image processing device 2. Therefore, in the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, when a user can log in to an arbitrary image processing device 2, an authentication server for user authentication is provided, or user authentication is performed individually for each image processing device 2. There is no need to register information D1. Therefore, according to the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the labor of registering the user authentication information and reduce the storage capacity for storing the user authentication information.

1 Image processing system 2 Image processing device 21 Operation display unit 22 ADF
23 Image reading unit 24 Image forming unit 25 Communication I / F
26 Storage unit 27 Control unit 271 First reception processing unit 272 First confirmation processing unit 273 Selection processing unit 274 Storage processing unit 275 Second reception processing unit 276 Second confirmation processing unit 277 Authentication processing unit 278 Acquisition processing unit 279 Count processing unit 280 Change processing unit

Claims (8)

The first reception processing unit that accepts new registration operations for user authentication information corresponding to the user,
When the new registration operation is accepted by the first reception processing unit, the user corresponds to the own image processing device or another image processing device communicably connected to the own image processing device. The first confirmation processing unit that confirms whether the user authentication information is saved, and
When it is confirmed by the first confirmation processing unit that neither the own image processing device nor the other image processing device stores the user authentication information, the own image processing device and the other image processing device are processed. A selection processing unit that selects an image processing device that serves as a storage location for the user authentication information from among the devices.
A storage processing unit that stores the user authentication information in an image processing device selected by the selection processing unit, and a storage processing unit.
An authentication processing unit that performs user authentication processing based on the user authentication information stored in its own image processing device or the other image processing device, and
An image processing device comprising. When the user authentication information is not stored in its own image processing device, the first confirmation processing unit inquires of the other image processing device whether or not the user authentication information is stored.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The selection processing unit selects an image processing device to be a storage location of the user authentication information based on the free space of the storage unit provided in each of its own image processing device and the other image processing device.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. When the free space of the storage unit provided in its own image processing device satisfies a predetermined free space shortage condition, the selection processing unit has a free space of the storage unit among the other image processing devices. Selects the image processing device with the largest size as the storage location for the user authentication information.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3. The second reception processing department that accepts login operations and
When the login operation is accepted by the second reception processing unit, is the user authentication information corresponding to the user who performed the login operation stored in the own image processing device or the other image processing device? It also has a second confirmation processing unit to confirm whether or not it is.
The authentication processing unit is based on the user authentication information when it is confirmed by the second confirmation processing unit that the user authentication information is stored in its own image processing device or the other image processing device. Perform the user authentication process
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When the user authentication information is not stored in its own image processing device, the second confirmation processing unit inquires of the other image processing device whether or not the user authentication information is stored.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5. When it is confirmed by the second confirmation processing unit that the user authentication information is stored in the other image processing device, the user authentication information is acquired from the other image processing device and its own image processing is performed. Further equipped with an acquisition processing unit that temporarily stores the image in the device.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6. A count processing unit that counts the number of times the user authentication information is acquired from the other image processing device by the acquisition processing unit for each user.
When the count result of the user authentication information corresponding to a certain user by the count processing unit satisfies a predetermined change condition, the storage location of the user authentication information corresponding to the user is stored in the other image processing device. It also has a change processing unit that changes from to its own image processing device.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 7.

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