Information processing device, recording medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a recording medium, which can determine the image forming device that a user wants to use to perform image forming instructions even if there are multiple image forming devices at a distance closer than the position detection accuracy of a mobile terminal device and the structure does not have a display unit. The print server (16) accepts a terminal ID that can identify the user, location information of the mobile terminal device (14) and a print instruction from a mobile terminal device (14) carried by the user, generates voice authentication information for authenticating the accepted print instruction, and outputs voice from an image forming device (12) located within a predetermined range of the accepted location information. If the voice authentication information and the authentication information input using the mobile terminal device (14) meet a predetermined relationship, the image is formed by the image forming device (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a recording medium. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 proposes an image forming device, which is controlled as follows, that is, after a printing instruction for a printing object is given through a mobile terminal device, if the authentication information displayed on a user interface (UI) device and the acquisition information obtained by a mobile terminal device located within a predetermined range satisfy a predetermined relationship, the received image data is printed through a printing component.

[0003] [Prior art literature]

[0004] [Patent Document]

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-180792 Summary of the invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In a structure capable of determining an image forming device near a mobile terminal device and performing image forming instructions, if there are multiple image forming devices within a distance closer than the position detection accuracy of the mobile terminal device, it is sometimes impossible to determine the image forming device that the user wants to use, so authentication information is displayed. However, in the absence of a display unit, it is impossible to determine the image forming device that the user wants to use. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and an information processing program that can determine the image forming device that the user wants to use and perform image forming instructions even if there are multiple image forming devices within a distance closer than the position detection accuracy of the mobile terminal device and the structure does not have a display unit.

[0008] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0009] The information processing device described in Technical Solution 1 includes a processor, which accepts identification information that can identify a user, location information of the mobile terminal device and an image formation instruction from a mobile terminal device carried by a user, generates voice authentication information for authenticating the accepted image formation instruction, and outputs voice from an image forming device located within a predetermined range of the accepted location information. If the voice authentication information satisfies a predetermined relationship with the authentication information input using the mobile terminal device, processing is performed to form an image through the image forming device.

[0010] According to the invention described in Technical Solution 2, in the invention described in Technical Solution 1, if there are multiple image forming devices within the predetermined range, the processor sends image information that becomes the object of the image formation instruction to the multiple image forming devices located within the predetermined range.

[0011] According to the invention described in Technical Solution 3, in the invention described in Technical Solution 1 or Technical Solution 2, if there are multiple image forming devices at a predetermined distance and multiple image forming instructions are received from multiple users, the processor generates different voice authentication information respectively for the multiple image forming instructions.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is the invention described in claim 3, wherein the processor generates the voice authentication information indicating a user name and a password corresponding to the identification information, or a file name and a password that is the target of the image formation instruction.

[0013] The invention described in claim 5 is the invention described in claim 3 or 4, wherein the processor generates the voice authentication information of a different voice for each user indicated by the identification information.

[0014] The invention described in claim 6 is the invention described in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the processor generates voice authentication information generated at different timings for each user indicated by the identification information.

[0015] The invention described in claim 7 is the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the processor further receives a request for re-utterance of the voice authentication information and causes the image forming device to output the voice again.

[0016] The invention described in claim 8 is the invention described in claim 7, wherein the processor causes the image forming device to re-output a voice representing a part of the requested content among the voices output from the image forming device.

[0017] The information processing device described in Technical Solution 9 includes: an acceptance unit, which accepts identification information that can identify a user, location information of the mobile terminal device, and an image formation instruction from a mobile terminal device carried by a user; a generation unit, which generates voice authentication information in order to authenticate the identification information and the image formation instruction accepted by the acceptance unit, and the voice authentication information causes the image forming device within a predetermined range from the location information accepted by the acceptance unit to output voice; an authentication acceptance unit, which accepts authentication information corresponding to the identification information and the voice authentication information from the mobile terminal device; and a control unit, which controls the implementation of image formation if the authentication information accepted by the authentication acceptance unit and the voice authentication information generated by the generation unit satisfy a predetermined relationship.

[0018] The recording medium described in technical solution 10 stores an information processing program, which enables a computer to accept identification information that can identify a user, location information of the mobile terminal device and an image formation instruction from a mobile terminal device carried by a user, generate voice authentication information for authenticating the accepted image formation instruction, and output voice from an image forming device located within a predetermined range of the accepted location information. If the voice authentication information satisfies a predetermined relationship with the authentication information input using the mobile terminal device, the processing of forming an image by the image forming device is executed.

[0019] [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the information processing device described in Technical Solution 1, it is possible to provide an information processing device that can determine the image forming device that the user wants to use to perform image forming instructions even if there are multiple image forming devices at a distance closer than the position detection accuracy of the mobile terminal device and the device does not have a display unit.

[0021] According to the invention described in claim 2, the user can select and use from a plurality of image forming apparatuses that have transmitted image information.

[0022] According to the invention described in technical solution 3, the voice authentication information of each user can be recognized.

[0023] According to the invention described in claim 4, the voice authentication information of each user can be identified based on the content of the voice output.

[0024] According to the invention described in technical solution 5, the voice authentication information of each user can be heard.

[0025] According to the invention described in claim 6, compared with the case where voice authentication information for a plurality of users is outputted in voice at the same time, the voice authentication information for each user can be heard more easily.

[0026] According to the invention described in claim 7, even if the voice authentication information is missed, the voice authentication information can be output again by voice.

[0027] According to the invention described in claim 8, only the voice of necessary information among the missed voice authentication information can be output again.

[0028] According to the information processing device described in Technical Solution 9, it is possible to provide an information processing device that can determine the image forming device that the user wants to use to perform image forming instructions even if there are multiple image forming devices at a distance closer than the position detection accuracy of the mobile terminal device and the device does not have a display unit.

[0029] According to the recording medium described in technical solution 10, it is possible to provide an information processing program that can determine the image forming device that the user wants to use to perform image forming instructions even if there are multiple image forming devices at a distance closer than the position detection accuracy of the mobile terminal device and the structure does not have a display unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of an electrical system of an image forming apparatus in the information processing system of the present embodiment.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of an electrical system of a print server in the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow performed by the mobile terminal device in the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the print server in the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0035] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus in the information processing system of this embodiment.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing among the components of the mobile terminal device, the print server, and the image forming apparatus in the information processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0037] Figure 8This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus when a plurality of printing instructions are issued from mobile terminal devices of a plurality of users.

[0038] Fig. 9 This is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are provided at adjacent positions and the tone of speech output is changed for each image forming apparatus.

[0039] Fig.10 1 is a schematic diagram showing a situation where each image forming apparatus outputs speech with a different intonation.

[0040] Fig.11 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of changing the timing of outputting a voice for each image forming apparatus.

[0041] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the image forming device 12 when including processing for re-outputting the voice authentication information.

[0042] Fig.13 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the print server when generating voice authentication information on the print server side.

[0043] Fig.14 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus when generating voice authentication information on the print server side.

[0044] Fig.15 This is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing among the mobile terminal device, the print server, and the image forming device in the information processing system when the print server generates voice authentication information.

[0045] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 10: Information Processing System

[0047] 12: Image forming device

[0048] 14: Mobile terminal device

[0049] 14A: CPU

[0050] 16: Print Server

[0051] 16A: CPU

[0052] 18: Communication lines

[0053] 20A: CPU DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Hereinafter, an example of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an information processing system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses, print servers, and wireless base stations are connected via communication lines such as various networks will be described as an example. Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0055] The information processing system 10 of this embodiment is as follows Figure 1 As shown, it includes a plurality of image forming devices 12a, 12b, ..., a wireless base station 13, and a print server 16. In addition, when it is not necessary to distinguish and describe the image forming devices 12a, 12b, ..., sometimes the alphabet at the end of the symbol is omitted and described. Moreover, in this embodiment, an example with a plurality of image forming devices 12a, 12b, ... is described, but the image forming device 12 may also be one.

[0056] Each image forming device 12, wireless base station 13 and print server 16 are connected via a communication line 18 such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, or an intranet. Furthermore, the image forming device 12, the wireless base station 13 and the print server 16 can transmit and receive various data to and from each other via the communication line 18. Furthermore, the mobile terminal device 14 is wirelessly connected to the wireless base station 13, and the mobile terminal device 14 can transmit and receive various data to and from each device.

[0057] In the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment, the print server 16 provides a cloud service corresponding to a request from a pre-registered mobile terminal device 14. Specifically, the print server 16 provides a cloud service such that, when a print instruction is issued to the print server 16 using an application from the mobile terminal device 14, an image forming device 12 located within a predetermined range of the mobile terminal device 14 performs image formation corresponding to the print instruction.

[0058] Figure 2 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electrical system of the image forming apparatus 12 in the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0059] The image forming apparatus 12 of this embodiment is as follows. Figure 2As shown, the image forming device 12 is provided with a control unit 20, which includes a central processing unit (CPU) 20A as an example of a processor, a read only memory (ROM) 20B and a random access memory (RAM) 20C. The CPU 20A is responsible for the operation of the entire image forming device 12. The RAM 20C is used as a work area when the CPU 20A executes various programs. The ROM 20B stores various control programs or various parameters in advance. In addition, in the image forming device 12, the various parts of the control unit 20 are electrically connected through a system bus 42.

[0060] On the other hand, the image forming device 12 of the present embodiment is provided with a hard disk drive (HDD) 26, which stores various data such as user information, setting parameters and fault information, or application programs. In addition, the image forming device 12 is provided with a display control unit 28, which is connected to the user interface 22 and controls the display of various operation screens on the display of the user interface 22. In addition, the image forming device 12 is provided with an operation input detection unit 30, which is connected to the user interface 22 and detects the operation instructions input through the user interface 22. In addition, in the image forming device 12, the HDD 26, the display control unit 28 and the operation input detection unit 30 are electrically connected to the system bus 42. In addition, in the image forming device 12 of the present embodiment, the HDD 26 is used as a storage unit, but it is not limited to this, and a non-volatile storage unit such as a flash memory may also be used.

[0061] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 12 of the present embodiment includes: a reading control unit 32 that controls the reading action of the optical image by the manuscript reading unit 44 and the manuscript feeding action performed by the manuscript conveying unit; and an image forming control unit 34 that controls the image forming process performed by the image forming unit 24 and the paper conveying performed by the conveying unit 25 to the image forming unit 24. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 12 includes a communication line I / F (interface) unit 36 ​​that is connected to the communication line 18 and performs communication data transmission and reception with other external devices such as the print server 16 connected to the communication line 18. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 12 includes a fax I / F (interface) unit 38 that is connected to a telephone line (not shown) and performs fax data transmission and reception with a fax device connected to the telephone line. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 12 includes a transmission and reception control unit 40 that controls the transmission and reception of fax data via the fax I / F unit 38. In the image forming apparatus 12, the transmission and reception control unit 40, the reading control unit 32, the image forming control unit 34, the communication line I / F unit 36, the fax I / F unit 38, and the voice input / output unit 46 are electrically connected to the system bus 42. In addition, the image forming apparatus 12 includes the voice input / output unit 46, which outputs and inputs voice. In addition, since the user interface 22 includes the voice input / output unit 46, a configuration in which the voice input / output unit 46 is omitted may be adopted.

[0062] With the above structure, the image forming apparatus 12 of this embodiment respectively performs access to the RAM 20C, the ROM 20B, and the HDD 26 through the CPU 20A. Moreover, the image forming apparatus 12 performs control of displaying information such as an operation screen and various messages on the display 22A of the user interface 22 through the display control unit 28 through the CPU 20A. Moreover, the image forming apparatus 12 performs operation control of the manuscript reading unit 44 and the manuscript conveying unit through the reading control unit 32 through the CPU 20A. Moreover, the image forming apparatus 12 performs operation control of the image forming unit 24 and the conveying unit 25 through the image forming control unit 34, and control of sending and receiving communication data through the communication line I / F unit 36 ​​through the CPU 20A. Moreover, the image forming apparatus 12 performs control of sending and receiving fax data through the fax I / F unit 38 through the sending and receiving control unit 40 through the CPU 20A. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 12 uses the CPU 20A to grasp the content of the operation in the user interface 22 based on the operation information detected by the operation input detection unit 30 , and executes various controls based on the content of the operation.

[0063] Next, the main configuration of the electrical system of the print server 16 according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 31 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of an electrical system of the print server 16 in the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0064] like Figure 3 As shown, the print server 16 of this embodiment includes a CPU 16A as an example of a processor, a ROM 16B, a RAM 16C, a HDD 16D, a keyboard 16E, a display 16F, and a communication line I / F (interface) unit 16G. The CPU 16A is responsible for the overall operation of the print server 16. The ROM 16B stores various control programs or various parameters in advance. The RAM 16C is used as a work area when the CPU 16A executes various programs. The HDD 16D stores various data or application programs. The keyboard 16E is used to input various information. The display 16F is used to display various information. The communication line I / F unit 16G is connected to the communication line 18 and transmits and receives various data with other devices connected to the communication line 18. The above-mentioned parts of the print server 16 are electrically connected to each other through the system bus 16H. In addition, in the print server 16 of this embodiment, the HDD 16D is used as a storage unit, but it is not limited to this, and other non-volatile storage units such as flash memory can also be used.

[0065] With the above configuration, the print server 16 of this embodiment executes access to the ROM 16B, RAM 16C, and HDD 16D, acquisition of various data via the keyboard 16E, and display of various information on the display 16F through the CPU 16A. In addition, the print server 16 executes control of sending and receiving communication data through the communication line I / F unit 16G through the CPU 16A.

[0066] The mobile terminal device 14 is configured as follows, that is, in addition to having Figure 3 Except for the position detection unit 14I indicated by the dotted line, the structure is basically the same as the print server 16, including a CPU 14A as an example of a processor, a ROM 14B, and a RAM 14C, so the detailed description except for the position detection unit 14I is omitted.

[0067] The position detection unit 14I detects the current position of the mobile terminal device 14. For example, the signal from the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite contains time data from the atomic clock carried by the satellite, satellite orbit information, etc. Therefore, the radio wave from the GPS satellite is received, and the distance from the satellite is calculated based on the time difference from sending to receiving. And the position of a point in space is located based on the distance from three or more GPS satellites, thereby detecting the position of the mobile terminal device 14.

[0068] Next, specific processing performed by the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0069] First, the processing performed by the mobile terminal device 14 will be described. Figure 4 : is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow performed by the mobile terminal device 14 in the information processing system 10 of this embodiment. Figure 4 The processing is started when the activation of the printing application pre-installed in the mobile terminal device 14 is instructed.

[0070] In step 100 , the CPU 14A starts the instructed application and then jumps to step 102 .

[0071] In step 102 , the CPU 14A transmits the terminal ID for identifying the mobile terminal 14 to the print server 16 , and the process then jumps to step 104 .

[0072] In step 104, CPU 14A receives a list of image data from print server 16 and displays the list screen, and the process jumps to step 106. That is, CPU 14A acquires a list of image data pre-registered in print server 16 from print server 16 and displays the acquired image data list screen.

[0073] In step 106 , the CPU 14A determines whether a print target has been selected and a print instruction has been issued. The determination is to determine whether a target to be imaged has been selected from the image data displayed on the list screen and a print instruction has been issued. The process waits until the determination is affirmative and then jumps to step 108 .

[0074] In step 108 , the CPU 14A acquires the position information detected by the position detection unit 14I and the process jumps to step 110 .

[0075] In step 110 , CPU 14A transmits the position information and the print instruction to print server 16 via communication line I / F unit 14G, and the process then jumps to step 112 .

[0076] In step 112 , the CPU 14A determines whether or not the print ID has been received from the print server 16 . The CPU 14A waits until the determination is affirmative, and then jumps to step 114 .

[0077] In step 114 , CPU 14A displays a screen on display 14F of mobile terminal 14 urging the user to come near image forming device 12 , and the process jumps to step 116 .

[0078] In step 116, the CPU 14A displays an authentication information input screen and jumps to step 118. The authentication information input screen is a screen for inputting authentication information for printing, and the input authentication information is voice authentication information outputted by voice from the image forming device 12. The authentication information input screen may be displayed simultaneously with the screen of step 114 urging the user to come near the image forming device 12.

[0079] In step 118 , the CPU 14A determines whether authentication information has been input. The determination is to determine whether authentication information corresponding to voice authentication information has been input by voice input or operation input. The CPU 14A waits until the determination is affirmative, and then jumps to step 120 .

[0080] In step 120 , CPU 14A transmits the input authentication information to print server 16 via communication line I / F unit 14G, and the process then jumps to step 122 .

[0081] In step 122 , CPU 14A receives the authentication result from print server 16 and displays it on display 14F, and the series of processing ends.

[0082] Next, the processing performed by the print server 16 will be described. Figure 5 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow performed by the print server 16 in the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment. Figure 5 The processing starts when the terminal ID is sent from the mobile terminal device 14.

[0083] In step 200 , CPU 16A receives the terminal ID transmitted from mobile terminal device 14 , and the process jumps to step 202 .

[0084] In step 202, CPU 16A searches for image data corresponding to the terminal ID, and jumps to step 204. For example, image data pre-registered by a user who has pre-registered in correspondence with the terminal ID is searched.

[0085] In step 204 , CPU 16A transmits the image data list to mobile terminal device 14 via communication line I / F unit 16G, and the process jumps to step 206 .

[0086] In step 206 , the CPU 16A determines whether the position information and the print instruction have been received, and waits until the determination is affirmative, and then jumps to step 208 .

[0087] In step 208 , CPU 16A searches for image forming apparatus 12 within a predetermined range with respect to the received position information, and the process jumps to step 210 .

[0088] In step 210, CPU 16A searches for an image forming apparatus 12 that can print, and jumps to step 212. For example, among the image forming apparatuses 12 within the predetermined range searched in step 208, the CPU 16A searches for an image forming apparatus 12 that can print in accordance with the print instruction.

[0089] In step 212 , CPU 16A identifies image forming apparatus 12 and the process jumps to step 214 .

[0090] In step 214, CPU 16A transmits the image data to the determined image forming apparatus 12 via communication line I / F unit 16G, and the process proceeds to step 216. In addition, when there are multiple determined image forming apparatuses 12, the image data may be transmitted to multiple image forming apparatuses 12. In this case, the user may select the image forming apparatus 12 to be used by operating input or voice input of mobile terminal device 14 or image forming apparatus 12.

[0091] In step 216, CPU 16A generates a print ID and the process proceeds to step 218. The print ID is generated in association with the user.

[0092] In step 218 , CPU 16A transmits the print ID to mobile terminal device 14 as the instruction source and image forming device 12 that has transmitted the image data via communication line I / F unit 16G, and the process then jumps to step 220 .

[0093] In step 220 , the CPU 16A determines whether the voice authentication information and the authentication information are received. The determination is to determine whether the voice authentication information is received from the image forming device 12 and the authentication information is received from the mobile terminal device 14 . The CPU 16A waits until the determination is affirmative and then jumps to step 222 .

[0094] In step 222 , CPU 16A compares the voice authentication information received from image forming device 12 with the authentication information received from mobile terminal device 14 , and then jumps to step 224 .

[0095] In step 224, the CPU 16A determines whether printing is permitted. The determination is to make an affirmative determination when the result of comparing the voice authentication information with the authentication information satisfies the predetermined condition and authentication is permitted, and to make a negative determination when authentication is not permitted. When the negative determination is made, the process jumps to step 226, and when the affirmative determination is made, the process jumps to step 228.

[0096] In step 226 , CPU 16A transmits a message indicating that authentication has failed to the mobile terminal device 14 via communication line I / F unit 16G, and ends the series of processing.

[0097] In step 228 , CPU 16A transmits the print permission to image forming device 12 via communication line I / F unit 16G, and ends the series of processing.

[0098] Next, the processing performed by the image forming apparatus 12 will be described. Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow performed by the image forming device 12 in the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment. Figure 6 The processing starts when a print ID is sent from the print server 16.

[0099] In step 300 , the CPU 20A receives the print ID from the print server 16 , and the process jumps to step 302 .

[0100] In step 302, CPU 20A generates voice authentication information and jumps to step 304. The generation of voice authentication information is to generate voice authentication information for permitting printing in response to the print instruction corresponding to the print ID.

[0101] In step 304, the CPU 20A transmits the generated voice authentication information to the print server 16 via the communication line I / F unit 36, and the process jumps to step 306. Thus, the authentication information is compared in steps 220 to 222.

[0102] In step 306 , the CPU 20A outputs the voice authentication information by voice through the voice input / output unit 46 , and the process then jumps to step 308 .

[0103] In step 308, the CPU 20A determines whether the printing permission has been received. The determination is made in the affirmative when the printing permission has been sent through the step 228, and the process jumps to step 310. On the other hand, the determination is made in the negative when the authentication failure has been sent through the step 226, and the series of processes are terminated without printing. In addition, when the authentication failure is sent from the print server 16 and the image forming device 12 receives the authentication failure, the authentication failure can be outputted by voice through the voice input / output unit 46. Alternatively, the authentication failure can be displayed on the user interface 22, and can be displayed together with the voice output.

[0104] In step 310 , the CPU 20A executes image formation in accordance with the print instruction, and ends the series of processing.

[0105] Here, the overall processing flow of the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 7 This is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing between the components of the mobile terminal device 14 , the print server 16 , and the image forming device 12 in the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0106] First, when the application is started in the mobile terminal device 14 , the terminal ID is transmitted from the mobile terminal device 14 to the print server 16 through step 102 .

[0107] The print server 16 searches for the user ID from the terminal ID and the corresponding image data in step 202 , and transmits a list of the corresponding image data to the mobile terminal device 14 .

[0108] The mobile terminal device 14 receives the image data list from the print server 16 and accepts the selection operation of the print object. That is, in step 104, the image data list is displayed, and when the selection operation and print instruction of the image data to be printed are accepted, and the selection operation and print instruction are performed, the determination in step 106 is affirmative.

[0109] Then, in the mobile terminal device 14 , the location information is acquired in step 108 . And, in step 110 , the location information and the print instruction are sent to the print server 16 .

[0110] When the print server 16 receives the location information and the print instruction, it searches for an image forming device 12 within a predetermined range from the location information through steps 208 to 212. Then, the image forming device 12 that can be executed is searched and determined. When the image forming device 12 is determined, the image data corresponding to the print instruction is determined and sent to the image forming device 12. Furthermore, the print server 16 generates a print ID corresponding to the print instruction in association with the user, and sends it to the mobile terminal device 14 and the determined image forming device 12.

[0111] When the mobile terminal device 14 receives the print ID from the print server 16 , a screen urging the user to come near the image forming device 12 is displayed in step 114 .

[0112] Furthermore, in the image forming device 12, when image data and a print ID are received from the print server 16, voice authentication information is generated through the step 302, and the voice authentication information is used to permit the printing of the print instruction corresponding to the print ID. Furthermore, through the steps 304 to 306, the voice authentication information is output by the voice input / output unit 46, and the voice authentication information is sent to the print server 16. In addition, as for the timing of outputting the voice authentication information by voice, for example, the voice output may be performed when the operating user carries the terminal device 14 to instruct the voice output. Alternatively, the image forming device 12 may also perform the voice output when the mobile terminal device 14 corresponding to the terminal ID is detected within a predetermined range of the image forming device 12 as the object. Alternatively, a sensor for detecting the approach of a person may be provided in the image forming device 12, and the voice output may be performed when the approach of a person is detected.

[0113] After the voice authentication information is outputted by voice from the image forming device 12, the input of the authentication information corresponding to the voice authentication information outputted by voice from the image forming device 12 is accepted in the mobile terminal device 14, and the accepted authentication information is sent to the print server 16. In addition, the input acceptance of the authentication information may be accepted, for example, by the mobile terminal device 14 through the operation input of the authentication information corresponding to the voice authentication information. Alternatively, the voice authentication information outputted by voice from the image forming device 12 may be accepted by voice input through the microphone of the mobile terminal device 14, etc. Alternatively, the user may speak the authentication information corresponding to the voice authentication information to the mobile terminal device 14, so as to accept the voice input. Moreover, in the present embodiment, an example of the mobile terminal device 14 accepting the input of the authentication information corresponding to the voice authentication information is described, but the input acceptance of the authentication information may also be performed by the image forming device 12.

[0114] When the print server 16 receives the voice authentication information from the image forming device 12 and the authentication information from the mobile terminal device 14, the authentication information is compared in step 222 to determine whether the authentication is permitted. If the authentication is permitted, the print server 16 sends a print permission in step 228, thereby executing printing in the image forming device 12.

[0115] By performing processing in this way, even if there are multiple image forming devices at a distance closer than the position detection accuracy of the mobile terminal device 14 and the structure does not have a display unit, the image forming device that the user wants to use can be identified by voice output and image formation instructions can be issued.

[0116] Next, a case where a plurality of printing instructions are issued from the mobile terminal devices 14 of a plurality of users will be described. Figure 81 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the image forming device 12 when multiple printing instructions are issued from the mobile terminal devices 14 of multiple users. Figure 8 The processing is performed when multiple printing IDs are received in step 300.

[0117] When a plurality of print IDs are received, the process jumps to step 302, and the CPU 20A generates voice authentication information, and then jumps to step 303. The voice authentication information is generated to permit printing of the print instruction corresponding to the print ID.

[0118] In step 303 , the CPU 20A determines whether the voice authentication information of all the printing instructions has been generated. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 302 and repeats the process until the voice authentication information of all the printing instructions has been generated. If the determination is positive, the process jumps to step 305 .

[0119] In step 305 , the CPU 20A sends all voice authentication information to the print server 16 and then jumps to step 307 .

[0120] In step 307, CPU 20A outputs the voice authentication information and the information identifying the user in sequence by voice through the voice input / output unit 46, and jumps to step 308. For example, "Jennifer, please say or input the password "Mount Fuji" to the mobile terminal device 14" is output by voice. Alternatively, in the case of multiple people, it can be said all at once. In this case, for example, "Jennifer's password is "Mount Fuji."," "Ann's password is "Lake Biwa."," "Xiu's password is "Tone River."." is output by voice. Alternatively, the print instruction name (such as the file name, etc.) can be output by voice together with the authentication information. In this case, for example, "The password for printing 20YYMMDD_hotel.pdf is "Mount Fuji."." In the case of multiple people, "There are multiple people's printing instructions.","The password for 20YYMMDD_hotel.pdf is "Mount Fuji.","The password for competition combination table.xdw is "Lake Biwa.","The password for New Year's speech.doc is "Tone River."." is output by voice.

[0121] In addition, when the image forming device 12 is installed, if a plurality of image forming devices 12 are installed at adjacent positions, the tone of the voice output may be changed for each image forming device 12. Fig. 9As shown, when N image forming devices 12 are installed, the installation information is notified to the print server 16. The print server 16 detects that N image forming devices 12 are installed near the installation information, and assigns a number to each device. Furthermore, the print server 16 notifies each image forming device 12 of the assigned number. Furthermore, each image forming device 12 sets an output voice with a tone corresponding to the number. Thus, a different output voice is outputted corresponding to each image forming device 12. For example, Fig.10 As shown, speech having different intonations is output for each image forming device 12 .

[0122] Furthermore, when a plurality of image forming devices 12 are set at adjacent positions, in addition to changing the output voice, the timing of voice output may be changed for each image forming device 12. Fig.11 As shown, the image forming device 12 that receives the signal first outputs the voice first, and once the voice output reaches a predetermined portion, the image forming device 12 that receives the signal second outputs the voice. Fig.11 In the example, assume that the first image forming device 12 outputs "The password is "Mount Fuji"" by voice, and the second image forming device 12 outputs "The password is "Tone River"" by voice. Then, when the first image forming device 12 outputs "The password is", the second image forming device 12 starts to output "The password is", and ""Mount Fuji"" by the first image forming device 12 and "The password is" by the second image forming device 12 are output by voice at the same time. In addition, the output voice may be changed according to the timing.

[0123] As a method of changing the timing of voice output, other methods may be applied, for example, dividing the output voice into a plurality of areas, and if the same area is being output in another image forming device 12, waiting for output, and starting or restarting output when the output is completed.

[0124] In addition, in the above embodiment, if the user misses the voice authentication information output by voice, the voice output must be performed again, but if the voice output is the same as the initial voice output, such as "The password is "Fuji Mountain."", it will be redundant. Therefore, the repeated voice may be changed according to the voice or operation input content input by the user to the mobile terminal device 14 or the image forming device 12.

[0125] For example, as a first example, the image forming device 12 outputs a voice message "The password is "Fuji Mountain". " If the user misses the voice message and only wants to hear the password, the user inputs "What is the password?" to the image forming device 12 or the mobile terminal device 14. The image forming device 12 selects a pre-set word and determines that the password only needs to be repeated. In this example, the image forming device 12 only repeats the password and outputs "Fuji Mountain" by voice.

[0126] Furthermore, as another second example, in the case where the user only wants to hear the printing instructions of a specific user, first, the image forming device 12 outputs the voice of "Jennifer's password is "Mount Fuji".", "Ann's password is "Tone River"." If the user only wants to hear Jennifer's password, the user inputs "I am Jennifer" to the image forming device 12 or the mobile terminal device 14. The image forming device 12 selects a pre-set word and determines that only the password needs to be repeated. In this example, the image forming device 12 only repeats Jennifer's password and outputs "Jennifer's password is "Mount Fuji"." in voice.

[0127] Furthermore, as another third example, in the case where the user wants to hear only the password for printing instructions of a specific user, first, the image forming device 12 outputs voices such as "Jennifer's password is "Mount Fuji."," and "Ann's password is "Tone River."." If the user wants to hear only Jennifer's password, the user inputs "Jennifer, password" to the image forming device 12 or the mobile terminal device 14. The image forming device 12 selects a pre-set word and determines that only the password needs to be repeated. In this example, the image forming device 12 only repeats Jennifer's password and outputs "Mount Fuji" by voice.

[0128] Furthermore, as another fourth example, when the user misrepresents the request for repetition, first, the image forming device 12 outputs a voice message saying "The password is "Mount Fuji"." The user inputs "Fuji Xerox" to the image forming device 12 or the mobile terminal device 14. The image forming device 12 checks the consistency rate between the correct password "Mount Fuji" and the input incorrect password "Fuji Xerox", and if a certain criterion is satisfied, it is determined that the password is misrepresented, and the image forming device only outputs the password "Mount Fuji" repeatedly by voice.

[0129] Fig.12 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow performed by the image forming device 12 when a process including re-performing a voice output of voice authentication information is performed. Fig.12 The processing is in Figure 6 When the processing of steps 300 to 304 is performed during the processing of , steps 306 to 310 are executed instead.

[0130] In step 350 , the CPU 20A sequentially outputs the passwords of all users who have received the print instruction by voice through the voice input / output unit 46 , and the process then jumps to step 352 .

[0131] In step 352 , the CPU 20A determines whether a voice input has been made within a predetermined fixed time. If the determination is negative, the CPU 20A returns to step 350 to repeat the process. If the determination is positive, the CPU 20A jumps to step 354 .

[0132] In step 354, CPU 20A determines whether the input voice is a request to repeat the password. The determination is as in the example, determining whether it is a request to repeat "What is the password?" or "I am Jennifer", "Jennifer, password", etc. If the determination is affirmative, the process jumps to step 356, and if it is negative, the process jumps to step 362.

[0133] In step 356 , the CPU 20A determines whether there are print instructions from a plurality of users. If the determination is affirmative, the process jumps to step 358 , and if not, the process jumps to step 360 .

[0134] In step 358 , CPU 20A determines whether a user name is inputted as a repeat request by voice. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 350 and repeats the process. If the determination is positive, the process jumps to step 360 .

[0135] In step 360 , CPU 20A simply outputs the password of one user again by voice and jumps to step 362 .

[0136] In step 362, CPU 20A determines whether the password is correct. If the determination is negative, the process jumps to step 364, and if the determination is positive, the process jumps to step 366.

[0137] In step 364, CPU 20A determines whether the consistency rate between the voice input and the password is greater than a reference value. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 350 to repeat the process. If the determination is positive, the process jumps to step 360.

[0138] At step 366 , CPU 20A executes image formation in response to the print instruction of the user corresponding to the password, and the process jumps to step 368 .

[0139] In step 368, the CPU 20A determines whether there are no remaining print instructions. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 350 to perform the above process on the remaining print instructions, and if the determination is positive, the series of processes ends.

[0140] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example in which the voice authentication information is generated on the image forming device 12 side is described, but the voice authentication information may also be generated on the print server 16 side. In this case, the processing on the print server 16 side is performed. Fig.13 The processing shown in FIG. 1 is performed in the image forming device 12. Fig.14 In addition, Fig.13 In, with Figure 5 The same processing is marked with the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted below. Fig.14 , and also Figure 6 The same processes are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted below.

[0141] That is, when the print ID is generated in step 216 , the print server 16 jumps to step 217 .

[0142] In step 217, the CPU 16A generates voice authentication information and jumps to step 219. The voice authentication information is generated as follows, and the voice authentication information is used to permit printing of the print instruction corresponding to the print ID.

[0143] In step 219 , the CPU 16A transmits the print ID and the voice authentication information to the mobile terminal device 14 and the image forming device 12 as the instruction source, and the process then jumps to step 221 .

[0144] In step 221, the CPU 16A determines whether authentication information has been received. The determination is to determine whether authentication information has been received from the mobile terminal device 14. The CPU 16A waits until the determination is positive, and then jumps to step 222 to perform the processing.

[0145] On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 12 , at step 301 , the CPU 20A receives the print ID and the voice authentication information, and then jumps to step 306 to perform the processing after step 306 .

[0146] That is, Fig.15 As shown, the process from the activation of the application in the mobile terminal device 14 to the generation of the print ID by the print server 16 is performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

[0147] Furthermore, when the print ID is generated in the print server 16, voice authentication information is then generated and sent to the image forming device 12. Thus, in the image forming device 12, the voice authentication information is received from the print server 16, and the voice based on the voice authentication information is output through the voice input / output unit 46. As for the timing of voice output, as described above, for example, voice output may be performed when the user operates the mobile terminal device 14 to instruct voice output. Alternatively, the image forming device 12 may perform voice output when the mobile terminal device 14 corresponding to the terminal ID is detected within a predetermined range of the image forming device 12 as the target. Alternatively, a sensor for detecting the approach of a person may be provided in the image forming device 12, and voice output may be performed when the approach of a person is detected.

[0148] Then, thereafter, the processing is performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and printing is executed by the image forming apparatus 12 .

[0149] In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, a CPU is described as an example of a processor, but the so-called processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (such as a CPU, etc.) or a special-purpose processor (such as a graphics processor (Graphics Processing Unit, GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), a field programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA), a programmable logic element, etc.).

[0150] Furthermore, the actions of the processors in the above-described embodiments may not be performed by only one processor, but may be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations in collaboration. Furthermore, the order of the actions of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above-described embodiments, and may also be appropriately changed.

[0151] Furthermore, the processing performed by the mobile terminal device 14, the print server 16, and the image forming device 12 of the above-described embodiment may be processing performed by software, processing performed by hardware, or processing performed by a combination of both. Furthermore, the processing performed by the mobile terminal device 14, the print server 16, and the image forming device 12 may be stored in a storage medium as a program and circulated.

[0152] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above, and can of course be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising a processor, The processor receives identification information capable of identifying the user, location information of the mobile terminal device, and an image formation instruction from a mobile terminal device carried by the user, generating voice authentication information for authenticating the received image formation instruction, and outputting voice representing the voice authentication information from an image forming device located within a predetermined range of the received position information, If the voice authentication information and the authentication information input by using the mobile terminal device satisfy a predetermined relationship, performing a process of forming an image by the image forming device, If a plurality of the image forming apparatuses exist within the predetermined range, the processor transmits the image information to be the target of the image formation instruction to the plurality of the image forming apparatuses located within the predetermined range.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein If a plurality of the image forming apparatuses exist at a predetermined distance from each other and a plurality of the image forming instructions are received from a plurality of users, the processor generates different voice authentication information for each of the plurality of image forming instructions.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein The processor generates the voice authentication information indicating a user name and a password corresponding to the identification information, or a file name and a password that are the subject of the image formation instruction.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein The processor generates the voice authentication information in a different voice for each user indicated by the identification information.

5. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein The processor generates the voice authentication information in a different voice for each user indicated by the identification information.

6. The information processing device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein The processor generates voice authentication information generated at different timings for each user indicated by the identification information.

7. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The processor further receives a request for re-utterance of the voice authentication information and causes the image forming device to output the voice again.

8. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein The processor causes the image forming device to re-output a voice indicating a part of the requested content among the voices output from the image forming device.

9. An information processing device, comprising: an accepting unit that accepts identification information capable of identifying a user, location information of the mobile terminal device, and an image formation instruction from a mobile terminal device carried by a user; a generating unit for authenticating the identification information and the image forming instruction received by the receiving unit, generating voice authentication information, the voice authentication information causing the image forming device within the predetermined range of the position information received by the receiving unit to output voice; an authentication receiving unit that receives authentication information corresponding to the identification information and the voice authentication information from the mobile terminal device; as well as a control unit that controls image formation when the authentication information accepted by the authentication acceptance unit and the voice authentication information generated by the generation unit satisfy a predetermined relationship; If a plurality of the image forming apparatuses exist within the predetermined range, the control unit transmits the image information to be the target of the image formation instruction to the plurality of the image forming apparatuses located within the predetermined range.

10. A recording medium storing an information processing program for causing a computer to receiving identification information capable of identifying the user, location information of the mobile terminal device, and an image formation instruction from a mobile terminal device carried by the user, generating voice authentication information for authenticating the received image forming instruction, and outputting voice from an image forming device located within a predetermined range of the received position information, If the voice authentication information and the authentication information input by using the mobile terminal device satisfy a predetermined relationship, a process of forming an image by the image forming device is executed, If a plurality of the image forming apparatuses exist within the predetermined range, the image information to be the target of the image formation instruction is transmitted to the plurality of the image forming apparatuses located within the predetermined range.

11. A computer program product, characterized in that An information processing program is included, the information processing program is used to cause a computer to execute the following processing: receiving identification information capable of identifying the user, location information of the mobile terminal device, and an image formation instruction from a mobile terminal device carried by the user, generating voice authentication information for authenticating the received image formation instruction, and outputting voice representing the voice authentication information from an image forming device located within a predetermined range of the received position information, If the voice authentication information and the authentication information input by using the mobile terminal device satisfy a predetermined relationship, performing a process of forming an image by the image forming device, If a plurality of the image forming apparatuses exist within the predetermined range, the image information to be the target of the image formation instruction is transmitted to the plurality of the image forming apparatuses located within the predetermined range.

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