Image forming apparatus and information transmission method

Abstract

The invention provides an image forming apparatus and an information transmission method. An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a communication unit, an operation unit, a display unit that displays an operation image that can be operated by the operation unit, a transmission processing unit, and a switching unit. The transmission processing unit transmits display information for displaying the remote operation image to the external device via the communication unit. The switching unit performs switching of a disclosure mode relating to disclosure of information on the remote operation image. The public mode comprises a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode in which predetermined information included in a portion of the operation image is included in the display information, and registration information, which is information registered by a user, included in the portion of the operation image is included in the display information. The second mode is a mode in which the predetermined information is included in the display information and the registration information is not included in the display information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an information transmission method. Background Art

[0002] It has been known for some time to display the operation panel of a printing apparatus on a browser or the like of a terminal device located at a remote location. For example, Japanese Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for changing the language when displaying an operation panel on a browser of a terminal device.

[0003] However, in recent years, awareness of personal information protection has been increasing. In order to prevent personal information and the like from being browsed at a remote location, the inventor of the present invention has studied a case where the display of the operation panel at a remote location is temporarily blocked. However, in a state where such a block is implemented, there is a problem that a proxy operator cannot perform operations from a remote location. In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is not a technique that can solve the problems involved.

[0004] Therefore, it is desired to develop a technique that can implement information protection in a state where operations from an external device are possible when a part or all of the operation image of an image forming apparatus is displayed and operated via a network from the external device.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-212893 Summary of the Invention

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a communication unit; an operation unit; a display unit that displays an operation image that can be operated from the operation unit; a transmission processing unit that transmits display information for displaying a remote operation image based on the operation image to an external device via the communication unit; and a switching unit that switches an open mode related to information disclosure on the remote operation image, the open mode including a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being a mode in which specified information included in a part of the operation image is included in the display information and registered information that is information registered by a user and included in a part of the operation image is included in the display information, and the second mode being a mode in which the specified information is included in the display information and the registered information is not included in the display information.

[0007] An information transmission method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method in an image forming apparatus including a communication unit, an operation unit, and a display unit that displays an operation image that can be operated from the operation unit. Display information for displaying a remote operation image based on the operation image is transmitted to an external device via the communication unit. The image forming apparatus performs switching of a disclosure mode related to information disclosure on the remote operation image. The disclosure mode includes a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode in which prescribed information included in a part of the operation image and registered information that is information registered by a user and included in a part of the operation image are included in the display information. The second mode is a mode in which the prescribed information is included in the display information and the registered information is not included in the display information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 FIG. is a block diagram showing a structural example of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an external device according to an embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 For explaining Figure 1 A flowchart for explaining a processing example of an image forming apparatus in the image forming system.

[0010] Figure 3 For explaining Figure 2 A flowchart for explaining an example of display component protection processing in the processing example of

[0011] Figure 4 For showing Figure 2 An example of a table referred to in the processing of

[0012] Figure 5 For showing Figure 1 An example of an operation image in a standard mode displayed in the image forming system of

[0013] Figure 6 For showing Figure 1 An example of an operation image in a full lock mode displayed in the image forming system of

[0014] Figure 7 For showing Figure 1 An example of an operation image in a personal information lock mode displayed in the image forming system of

[0015] Figure 8 An example of an operation image shown when a contact method is selected in the operation image shown in Figure 7 and a schematic diagram of an example of a remote operation image displayed correspondingly thereto.

[0016] Figure 9 An example of an operation image shown when Figure 1 in the image forming system and a schematic diagram of an example of a remote operation image displayed correspondingly thereto when in the privacy lock mode.

[0017] Figure 10 An example of an operation image shown when Figure 1 in the image forming system and a schematic diagram of an example of a remote operation image displayed correspondingly thereto when in the personal information and privacy lock mode.

[0018] Figure 11 An example of an operation image shown when Figure 1 in the image forming system and a schematic diagram of an example of a remote operation image displayed correspondingly thereto when in the personal information and privacy lock mode for other examples.

[0019] Figure 12 An example of an operation image shown when Figure 1 in the image forming system when in the personal information lock mode, an example of an operation image for changing the setting from this operation image to the full lock mode, and a schematic diagram of an example of the operation image when in the changed full lock mode.

[0020] Figure 13 A flowchart for explaining a processing example of an image forming apparatus in a modified example of Figure 1 the image forming system.

[0021] Figure 14 A flowchart for explaining an example of a display component protection process in a processing example of Figure 13 the processing example.

[0022] Figure 15 An example of an operation image shown when Figure 13 in the processing example and a schematic diagram of an example of a remote operation image displayed correspondingly thereto when in the personal information and privacy lock mode.

[0023] Figure 16 An example of an operation image shown when Figure 13 in the processing example and a schematic diagram of an example of a remote operation image displayed correspondingly thereto when in the personal information and privacy lock mode for other examples.

[0024] Figure 17 To represent an example of an operation image displayed when the image forming apparatus is set to the simple mode for the processing example to be executed Figure 13 A schematic diagram showing an example of an operation image displayed when the image forming apparatus is set to the simple mode for the processing example to be executed

[0025] Figure 18 To represent an example of an operation image in the personal information and privacy lock mode displayed in the Figure 1 image forming system

[0026] Figure 19 To represent an example of an operation image in the full lock mode displayed in the Figure 1 image forming system

[0027] Figure 20 A schematic block diagram showing another structural example of an image forming system including the image forming apparatus and the terminal apparatus according to the embodiment

[0028] Figure 21 A diagram showing an example of the hardware structure of the apparatus Detailed Embodiment

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each of the accompanying drawings is merely an illustration for explaining the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, all the structural elements described in the embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily essential structural elements of the present invention

[0030] Embodiment

[0031] Using Figure 1 an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an external apparatus according to the embodiment will be described Figure 1 A block diagram showing a structural example of the image forming system concerned

[0032] As Figure 1 shown, the image forming system (hereinafter referred to as the present system) 100 according to the present embodiment may include an image forming apparatus 1 and an external apparatus 2. The external apparatus 2 can be connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network N

[0033] Outline Structure of Image Forming Apparatus 1

[0034] As Figure 1 shown, the image forming apparatus 1 may include a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, a communication unit 14, and a printing unit 15

[0035] The control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1, which may also be referred to as a controller, implements overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. Although its detailed content will be described later, the control unit 10 may include a transmission processing unit 10a, a reception processing unit 10b, and a switching unit 10c.

[0036] The control unit 10 may be configured, for example, to include an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a working memory, and a storage device that stores control programs, parameters, and the like. The control unit 10 may also be configured as an SoC (System on a Chip). From these examples, it can also be seen that the control unit 10 may be configured to store a control program in an executable state. However, the control unit 10 may also be configured to store a control program as a circuit structure such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or may be configured as a dedicated circuit. The transmission processing unit 10a and the reception processing unit 10b may be installed as the above-mentioned programs. The above-mentioned programs may include programs for implementing the functions of the transmission processing unit 10a, the reception processing unit 10b, and the switching unit 10c while cooperating with the storage unit 11, the display unit 12, the operation unit 13, and the communication unit 14. Alternatively, the above-mentioned programs may include programs for implementing the functions of the transmission processing unit 10a, the reception processing unit 10b, and the switching unit 10c while cooperating with the storage unit 11, the display unit 12, the operation unit 13, the communication unit 14, and the printing unit 15.

[0037] The storage unit 11 is, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or other memory. A part of the memory included in the control unit 10 may also be regarded as the storage unit 11. The storage unit 11 may also be regarded as a part of the control unit 10.

[0038] In the storage unit 11, registration information 11a, which is information registered by the user, may be stored in advance. Although the so-called user here may be set as the user who is the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1, any user of the image forming apparatus 1 is acceptable. In addition, the above-mentioned registration may be performed from the operation unit 13, or may be performed from an external device connected via a network or the like. The external device that performs the above-mentioned registration may also be the external device 2 for remote operation. In this case, it is preferably registered in the mode of publicly registering the registration information 11a in the public mode described later, or access rights related to registration are preset for the users of the external device 2.

[0039] The registration information 11a may include contact information indicating contact details, or user setting information indicating user settings related to the display of operation images in the image forming apparatus 1, etc. The contact information may include a telephone number, an email address, etc. The contact information may also be referred to as address book information, or telephone book information, etc.

[0040] In addition, the above-mentioned user setting information may include, for example, information for reflecting the customization in the case of customizing the operation image. The customization of the operation image may also include, for example, the case of customizing the icon image from the prescribed icon images. The icon image is an image of an icon included in the operation image for selecting functions such as the copying function possessed by the image forming apparatus 1. Of course, the icon image may also be an image of an icon used when selecting a function other than the functions of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the customization of the operation image may include various customizations such as customizing the background image that becomes the background in the operation image from the prescribed background images. In this way, the registration information 11a may also be information in which a part of the prescribed information is changed by the user and registered.

[0041] The customization of the icon image or the background image may be implemented by selecting from the candidate images stored in the storage unit 11, or may be implemented by the user selecting an image stored in an external recording medium or the like connected to the image forming apparatus 1. In this way, in the user setting information, information such as the icon image and the background image indicating the result of such customization may be included.

[0042] In addition, in the above-mentioned user setting information, information indicating a password registered by the user may also be included. The password may be set, for example, as a password used in the management of access rights to files stored in the storage unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1, or access rights to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0043] In addition, in the storage unit 11, for example, a table 11b may be stored in advance. Although the table 11b will be described later Figure 4 the table 11b refers to a table for storing protection setting information that is setting information related to the protection of information.

[0044] The display unit 12 is a part for displaying information. As at least a part of this information, the display unit 12 displays an operation image which is a user interface (UI) image. This operation image is an image that can be operated from the operation unit 13. This operation image can be stored in the storage unit 11 in advance. The display unit 12 is constituted by a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, for example. The display unit 12 can also be configured to include a display and a drive circuit for driving the display.

[0045] The operation unit 13 is a part for accepting an operation or input performed by a user, and can also be called an operation acceptance unit. The operation unit 13 can include a touch panel or a touch sensor mounted on the display unit 12. In this case, the operation unit 13 can accept an operation corresponding to the area where the touch operation is performed by the user touching the operation image displayed on the display unit 12. The display unit 12 that displays the operation image and the operation unit 13 having a touch panel or a touch sensor mounted on the display unit 12 can constitute the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the operation unit 13 can include a physical button group, for example. A part of the physical button group can also be configured to be able to accept an operation on the operation image. Of course, a part or all of the physical button group can also be configured to accept an operation independent of the operation image.

[0046] The communication unit 14 can be one or more communication interfaces for the image forming apparatus 1 to perform communication with a plurality of external devices via a wired or wireless network N in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol including a predetermined communication standard. The external device is a device having a communication function such as a personal computer (PC), a server device, a smart phone, or a tablet type terminal, for example. The external device in the case of performing communication regarding processing related to the operation image includes the external device 2.

[0047] The communication unit 14 can send display information for displaying the operation image on the external device 2 via the network N. In addition, this display information can also be the operation image itself. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish from the operation image displayed by the display unit 12, the operation image displayed on the display unit 22 of the external device 2 based on this display information is called a remote operation image. In addition, the communication unit 14 can receive an operation event received on the external device 2 via the network N.

[0048] In addition, the communication unit 14 can receive a print target file from an external device. The external device that sends the print target file can be set as an external device other than the external device 2. However, the communication unit 14 can also be configured to be able to receive the print target file from the external device 2 via the network N.

[0049] The printing unit 15 executes printing on the medium, for example, based on a print target file received from an external device other than the external device 2 or from the external device 2 via the communication unit 14, or a print target file obtained by image reading performed by a scanner (not shown). Thus, an image represented by the print target file is formed on the medium. Regardless of the printing method in the printing unit 15, various printing methods such as an inkjet printing method and a laser printing method can be applied. For the image forming apparatus 1, in the case of adopting the inkjet printing method, it can be called an inkjet printer, and in the case of adopting the laser printing method, it can be called a laser printer.

[0050] Outline structure of the external device 2

[0051] The external device 2 can be set as a communication function-equipped device such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or a PC. The external device 2 is not limited to being movable, and can also be a stationary device. The external device 2 can also be called a terminal device. As Figure 1 illustrated in, the external device 2 can include a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, and a communication unit 24.

[0052] The control unit 20 of the external device 2 performs overall control of the external device 2. Although the details will be described later, the control unit 20 can include a reception processing unit 20a and a transmission processing unit 20b.

[0053] The control unit 20 can be configured, for example, to include arithmetic processing devices such as a CPU and a GPU, a working memory, and a storage device that stores control programs or parameters. The control unit 20 can also be configured as a SoC. From these examples, it can also be understood that the control unit 20 can be configured to store a control program in an executable state. However, the control unit 20 can also be configured to store a control program as a circuit structure like an FPGA, or be configured as a dedicated circuit. The reception processing unit 20a and the transmission processing unit 20b can be installed as the above-mentioned programs. The above-mentioned programs can be set as programs for realizing the functions of the reception processing unit 20a and the transmission processing unit 20b while cooperating with the storage unit 21, the display unit 22, the operation unit 23, and the communication unit 24.

[0054] The storage unit 21 is, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or other memory. A part of the memory included in the control unit 20 may also be regarded as the storage unit 21. The storage unit 21 may also be regarded as a part of the control unit 20.

[0055] The display unit 22 is a part for displaying information. As at least a part of this information, the display unit 22 can display a remote operation image provided from the image forming apparatus 1. The display unit 22 is constituted by a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, for example. The display unit 22 may also be configured to include a display and a drive circuit for driving the display.

[0056] The operation unit 23 is a part that accepts an operation or input performed by a user, and may also be referred to as an operation acceptance unit. The operation unit 23 can accept an operation on the remote operation image displayed on the display unit 22. The operation unit 23 can be realized by any one or more of, for example, physical buttons, a touch panel or a touch sensor mounted on the display unit 22, a pointing device, and a keyboard. In a configuration where the operation unit 23 includes a touch panel or a touch sensor, the display unit 22 and the touch panel may also be included and referred to as an operation panel of the external device 2.

[0057] The communication unit 24 can be one or more communication interfaces for the external device 2 to perform communication with one or more external devices via a wired or wireless network N in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol including a predetermined communication standard. In the case of performing communication regarding processing related to the operation image, the external device includes the image forming apparatus 1.

[0058] The communication unit 24 can receive, via the network N, display information for displaying a remote operation image on the display unit 22 of the external device 2 from the image forming apparatus 1. As described above, this display information may also be the remote operation image itself. In addition, the communication unit 24 can send, via the network N, an operation event received on the operation unit 23 to the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the communication unit 24 may also be configured to be able to send a print target file to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network N.

[0059] The specific configuration of the system 100

[0060] Details of the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described together with details of the external apparatus 2. In the present system 100, as a schematic process, the external apparatus 2 accesses the image forming apparatus 1 via the network N, receives display information based on an operation image displayed on the display unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1, and causes the display unit 22 to display a remote operation image based on the display information. In the present system 100, the remote operation image includes a case where personal information is protected.

[0061] Then, the external apparatus 2 receives a user operation on the remote operation image via the operation unit 23, and transmits an operation event indicating the user operation to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network N. The image forming apparatus 1 receives an operation on the operation image based on the received operation event, and can thereby execute the process indicated by the operation event. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 can change the current operation image and the current remote operation image by, for example, changing to the next operation image and the next remote operation image based on the operation event.

[0062] First, a structural example on the image forming apparatus 1 side will be described. As described above, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 can include a transmission processing unit 10a, a reception processing unit 10b, and a switching unit 10c.

[0063] The transmission processing unit 10a transmits display information based on the operation image displayed on the display unit 12 to the external apparatus 2 via the communication unit 14. The transmission of such display information in the transmission processing unit 10a is performed via the network N. Since the display information is information for displaying the screen of the display unit 12, it can also be referred to as screen information. The display information is information for displaying a remote operation image on the display unit 22 of the external apparatus 2. Further, the display information can be displayed on the display unit 22 of the external apparatus 2 using, for example, a web browser, and in this case, the display information can also be referred to as web screen information. As in this example, the transmission processing unit 10a can also transmit the display information as information to be displayed on the browser of the external apparatus 2.

[0064] The reception processing unit 10b can be configured to receive an operation event received on the external apparatus 2 from the external apparatus 2 via the communication unit 14. The reception of such an operation event in the reception processing unit 10b is performed via the network N. The operation event is an event indicating an operation received via the remote operation image displayed based on the display information transmitted to the external apparatus 2.

[0065] The image forming apparatus 1 has the function of providing an operation panel to an external apparatus 2 remotely by transmitting such display information and receiving operation events by the transmitting processing unit 10a and the receiving processing unit 10b, that is, has the function of providing a remote panel. However, the operation of the operation image based on the operation event is not essential in the present embodiment. In the present system 100, the system other than the processing related to the operation involved becomes a system that remotely monitors the operation image displayed on the display unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 in the function of the remote panel.

[0066] The switching unit 10c switches the disclosure mode related to the disclosure of information on the remote operation image. The disclosure mode includes a first mode and a second mode. That is, the switching unit 10c can switch the disclosure mode at least between the first mode and the second mode. In addition, since the disclosure mode is a mode related to the protection of information, it can also be called a protection mode.

[0067] The first mode is a mode in which the specified information included in a part of the operation image is included in the display information used for displaying the remote operation image, and the registration information 11a included in a part of the operation image is included in the display information used for displaying the remote operation image. Since the first mode is a mode in which any one of the specified information and the registration information 11a is included in the remote operation image and disclosed to the external apparatus 2, it can be called a disclosure mode.

[0068] The specified information can be set as information that is defaultly included in the operation image. If more specific examples are listed, the specified information is information that is preset when the image forming apparatus 1 is shipped from a factory, a sales store, etc., that is, information not customized by the user, and can include, for example, a default icon image, a default background image. In addition, the specified information can also include, for example, the contact information of the maintenance party of the image forming apparatus 1. Here, the maintenance party can also be the contact information of the remote operator who displays the remote operation image on the external apparatus 2.

[0069] In addition, the specified information only needs to be included in a part of the operation image, and does not need to be included in all the operation images displayed on the display unit 12. The operation image that does not include the specified information may not be the object of processing in the first mode, the second mode, or the third mode described later, but is included in the display information for displaying the remote operation image.

[0070] As described above, the registration information 11a is information registered by the user in the image forming apparatus 1. The registration information 11a may include contact information indicating contact information registered by user input, user setting information, or the like. The user setting information may include information indicating an icon image or a background image customized by the user, information on a password registered by the user, or the like. The registration information 11a may be, for example, information in which a part of the specified information is changed and registered by the user. In addition, the registration information 11a only needs to be included in a part of the operation image, and does not need to be included in all the operation images displayed on the display unit 12.

[0071] The second mode is a mode in which the above-described specified information is included in the display information and the above-described registration information 11a is not included in the display information. Since the second mode is set to include the specified information in the remote operation image and disclose it to the external device 2 and not disclose the registration information 11a to the external device 2 by not including it in the remote operation information, it can be called a semi-disclosure mode.

[0072] In addition, when the switching unit 10c switches the disclosure mode between the first mode and the second mode in this way, the default mode may be set to the second mode in advance. That is, when the transmission processing unit 10a starts transmitting the display information, the switching unit 10c may set the disclosure mode to the second mode. Thus, the remote panel can start from the second mode in which better information protection is implemented.

[0073] The disclosure mode may further include a third mode, which is a mode in which the specified information is not included in the display information and the registration information 11a is not included in the display information either. That is, the switching unit 10c may be set to be able to switch the disclosure mode at least among the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode. The third mode may also be called a non-disclosure mode.

[0074] In addition, when the switching unit 10c switches the disclosure mode among the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode in this way, the default mode may be set to the third mode in advance. That is, when the processing unit 10a starts transmitting the display information, the switching unit 10c may set the disclosure mode to the third mode. Thus, the remote panel can start from the third mode in which the best information protection is implemented among the three modes.

[0075] Next, a structural example on the external device 2 side will be described. As described above, the control unit 20 of the external device 2 may include a reception processing unit 20a and a transmission processing unit 20b.

[0076] The reception processing unit 20a receives display information based on an operation image displayed on the display unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24. The reception of such display information by the reception processing unit 20a is performed via the network N. In addition, since the reception processing unit 20a acquires the display information from the image forming apparatus 1, it may also be referred to as an acquisition processing unit.

[0077] Then, the display unit 22 displays the remote operation image based on the display information received by the reception processing unit 20a. In addition, as described above, the display information can be displayed on the display unit 22 using, for example, a web browser or the like. In this example, the reception processing unit 20a can also receive the display information as information to be displayed on the browser of the external device 2.

[0078] In addition, the transmission processing unit 20b can be configured to transmit an operation event received on the operation unit 23 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication unit 24. The transmission of such an operation event by the transmission processing unit 20b is performed via the network N. As such an operation event, for example, an event of a click operation or a touch operation performed by a pointing device on the remote operation image displayed on the display unit 22 can be cited. In addition, the pointing device may also be referred to as a mouse.

[0079] The external device 2 has the function of sharing the operation panel provided by the image forming apparatus 1 remotely, that is, the function of sharing the remote panel, by receiving such display information and transmitting the operation event by the reception processing unit 20a and the transmission processing unit 20b. However, as described above, the operation of the operation image based on the operation event is not essential in the present embodiment.

[0080] Processing example of the present system 100

[0081] Above, the structures of the image forming apparatus 1 and the external device 2 have been described. Next, in the above structure, regarding the process of changing the remote operation image according to the disclosure mode, specific examples will be cited for explanation. Here, Figures 2 to 12 is used to explain the flow of the process of the image forming apparatus 1 mainly including the process for changing such a remote operation image. Here, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, an example is cited in which the display information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 is the remote operation image itself to be displayed on the browser that can be displayed on the display unit 22 of the external device 2. In addition, here, the display process of the operation image on the display unit 22 will be omitted from the explanation.

[0082] Figure 2 is a flowchart for explaining the processing example of the image forming apparatus 1 in the present system 100.Figure 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a display unit protection process in a processing example for Figure 2 . Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table referred to in the processing of Figure 2 . Figures 5 to 11 is a schematic diagram showing examples of operation images displayed in the present system 100 and examples of remote operation images displayed corresponding thereto. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation image displayed in the present system 100.

[0083] Before explaining the processing flow, the disclosure mode will be explained first.

[0084] When the image forming apparatus 1 starts providing a remote panel for the external apparatus 2, it determines the disclosure mode. Since the disclosure mode is a mode indicating how to protect information, it will be hereinafter referred to as the protection mode for explanation. The protection mode can be set in advance from the operation unit 13 or can be changed as needed.

[0085] In addition, the above-mentioned first mode is a mode in which information protection is not implemented, and will be hereinafter referred to as the standard mode for explanation. In the standard mode, for the user of the external apparatus 2 who is a remote operator, all operation images are directly disclosed as remote operation images.

[0086] Although the above-mentioned second mode is a mode in which specified information is included in the remote operation image and the registration information 11a is not included in the remote operation image, multiple modes can also be provided according to the type of the registration information 11a. For example, the second mode can include a personal information lock mode, a privacy lock mode, and a personal information and privacy lock mode, and examples thereof will be listed hereinafter for explanation.

[0087] The so-called personal information lock mode is a mode in which personal information typified by contact information in the registration information 11a is not included in the remote operation image. In addition, the personal information lock mode is a mode in which specified information is included in the remote operation image. In the personal information lock mode, a remote operation image in which personal information such as contact information in the address book is not made public is provided for the user of the external apparatus 2.

[0088] The so-called privacy lock mode refers to a mode in which specified information is included in the remote operation image, and privacy information such as that representing the user's personal preferences in the registration information 11a is not included in the remote operation image. In the privacy lock mode, a remote operation image in which the background image or icon image customized by the user who will be the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1, for example, the owner of the image forming apparatus 1, is made non-disclosed is provided to the user of the external apparatus 2. For example, this privacy lock mode can be set as the default protection mode when starting the process of providing the remote operation image to the external apparatus 2. Of course, the default protection mode can also be a mode other than the privacy lock mode, such as the personal information lock mode.

[0089] The personal information and privacy lock mode is a mode in which specified information is made public and information that is made non-disclosed in both the personal information lock mode and the privacy lock mode is also made non-disclosed. Therefore, in the personal information and privacy lock mode, the specified information is included in the remote operation image, and personal information such as the customized background image or icon image and contact information is not included in the remote operation image.

[0090] The above-described third mode is a mode that protects both the specified information and the registration information 11a, and will be described below as the full lock mode. In the full lock mode, a remote operation image in which substantially all the information included in all the operation images is made non-disclosed is provided to the user of the external apparatus 2.

[0091] Hereinafter, the processing flow will be described. First, the transmission processing unit 10a determines whether the current protection mode is the full lock mode (step S11). Additionally, if the storage unit 11 stores information indicating the current protection mode in advance, the transmission processing unit 10a can perform the determination by reading this information. When the determination in step S11 is no, the transmission processing unit 10a determines whether the current protection mode is the standard mode (step S12).

[0092] When the determination in step S12 is yes, that is, when the current protection mode is the standard mode, the transmission processing unit 10a copies the main display buffer to the virtual buffer (step S16). Here, the so-called main display buffer is, for example, a buffer for depicting the operation image that is set in the internal memory of the control unit 10. The display unit 12 can display the operation image stored in this main display buffer. In addition, the so-called virtual buffer is a buffer for depicting the remote operation image that is set in the internal memory of the control unit 10. Next, the transmission processing unit 10a transmits the remote operation image stored in this virtual buffer to the external apparatus 2 (step S15), and ends the processing.

[0093] In, for exampleFigure 5 In the scenario where the operation image 50p shown in Figure 5 is displayed on the display unit 12, in step S15 after the process of step S16, the operation image 50p is copied as it is to obtain Figure 5 the remote operation image 50r shown in Figure 5 , which is then sent to the external device 2. Then, the receiving processing unit 20a of the external device 2 receives the remote operation image 50r and causes the display unit 22 to display it.

[0094] Here, the operation image 50p is an example of the operation image displayed on the display unit 12 in the standard mode. The operation image 50p includes an identifier 51p indicating the current protection mode, a return button 52p for returning to the previous operation image, information 53p indicating the user name of the image forming apparatus 1, and contact information 54p. The contact information 54p includes information 55p indicating the name of the person or group with the contact information, and information 56p indicating the email address corresponding to each name.

[0095] Since an example where the current protection mode is the standard mode is shown, the identifier 51p becomes a prescribed identifier corresponding to the standard mode. However, the identifier 51p can also be set in advance as a mode switching button that can be pressed to change to other protection modes. This also applies to other operation images described later. An example of the switching operation of the protection mode performed by the mode switching button will be described later.

[0096] The remote operation image 50r is an example of the remote operation image that is sent to the external device 2 corresponding to the operation image 50p and is displayed on the display unit 22. The remote operation image 50r includes an identifier 51r, a return button 52r, information 53r, and contact information 54r including information 55r and 56r, which respectively correspond to the identifier 51p, the return button 52p, the information 53p, and the contact information 54p including the information 55p and 56p. However, when the identifier 51p is a mode switching button, the identifier 51r also becomes an identifier that only indicates the current protection mode instead of a mode switching button. This also applies to other remote operation images described later.

[0097] On the other hand, when the result in step S11 is yes, that is, when the current protection mode is the full lock mode, the transmission processing unit 10a fills the virtual buffer with black (step S17). Alternatively, other colors can be used instead of black. Next, the transmission processing unit 10a depicts a protection mode identifier as an identifier indicating the current protection mode in the virtual buffer (step S18). After that, the transmission processing unit 10a sends the content of the virtual buffer to the external device 2 as a remote operation image (step S15) and ends the process.

[0098] In a scenario where the operation image 60pa shown, for example, Figure 6 is displayed on the display unit 12, in step S15 after the process of step S18, Figure 6 the remote operation image 60ra shown, for example,

[0099] is sent to the external device 2. Then, the reception processing unit 20a of the external device 2 receives the remote operation image 60r and causes the display unit 22 to display it.

[0100] Here, the operation image 60pa is an example of an operation image displayed on the display unit 12 in the full lock mode. The operation image 60pa includes a prescribed identifier 61pa corresponding to the full lock mode which is the current protection mode, an icon group 62p including a plurality of icon images, and information 63p indicating the user name of the image forming apparatus 1. The icon group 62p includes icon images representing the respective functions of the printing function, scanner function, copying function, and setting function selectable in the image forming apparatus 1. Additionally, although not shown, in the case where an operation image similar to the operation image 60pa is displayed in the standard mode, only the identifier 61pa is replaced with that for the standard mode, and the icon group 62p and the information 63p display the same operation image.

[0101] When the answer in step S12 is no, that is, when the current protection mode is any one of the second modes, the transmission processing unit 10a sets the pointer at the beginning of the display component list of the remote operation image (step S13). Here, the display component list of the remote operation image refers to a list of multiple display components that make up the remote operation image. A display component can also be called an object. The multiple display components that make up the remote operation image can be set as components corresponding to the multiple display components that make up the operation image displayed on the display unit 12 respectively. However, the definition of the display component can be arbitrarily determined in advance. In addition, the display component can also be defined individually in advance according to the type of the display component, such as an icon image or an information display box. In addition, the pointer refers to the address of the storage area set in the internal memory of the control unit 10 for depicting each display component of the remote operation image sent to the external device 2. In step S13, the pointer is set in the internal memory as information indicating the beginning of the display component list.

[0102] After step S13, the transmission processing unit 10a performs protection processing on the display component indicated by the pointer (step S14). Hereinafter, this protection processing is referred to as display component protection processing.

[0103] As Figure 3 shown, the display component protection processing can be set as a loop processing (steps S21s, S21e) that executes the processing represented by steps S22 to S29 until it is completed for all the display components included in the display component list. That is, this loop processing is repeated only by the number of display components.

[0104] In this loop processing, first, the transmission processing unit 10a determines whether the current protection mode is the personal information lock mode or the personal information and privacy lock mode (step S22). In step S22, it is determined whether it is a mode in which personal information is protected. When the answer in step S22 is no, the transmission processing unit 10a determines whether the current protection mode is the privacy lock mode or the personal information and privacy lock mode (step S26). In step S26, it is determined whether it is a mode in which privacy information is protected.

[0105] When the condition in step S22 is yes, that is, when the current protection mode is the mode for protecting personal information, the transmission processing unit 10a determines whether the protection type of the setting data included in the target display component is "Personal" (step S23). The setting data here refers to the data set to be included in the target display component. For example, when the display component consists of a string and a box enclosing the string, the setting data becomes the data representing the string. As such a string, for example, strings such as the name of contact information and email addresses can be cited. When the condition in step S23 is no, the transmission processing unit 10a executes the processing of step S26.

[0106] In the determination in step S23, for example, protection setting information such as Figure 4 the shown Table 11b can be used. The protection setting information such as Table 11b can be stored in the storage unit 11. The protection setting information such as Table 11b can also be set in advance from the operation unit 13 and can be changed as needed.

[0107] In Table 11b, for "Data" representing each display component, "Data Type" as its data type and "Protection Type" as the protection type are associated and set. In addition, in Table 11b, each "Data" can be classified, for example, into "Category 1" as a large category and "Category2" as a more detailed category than it and recorded.

[0108] In Table 11b, as display components, it includes multiple contact information such as each item including the contact information "Address(Address)1" contained in the contact information. Here, as each item of the contact information, examples are listed including "User Name", "Mail Address", and "Phone Number" which respectively represent the name of the person or group representing the contact information, the email address, and the phone number. In addition, in Table 11b, as display components, it includes "Time", "Date", and "Language" which respectively represent the current time, the current date, and the language classified as the basic settings of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, in Table 11b, as display components, it includes "Function Icon" and "Home BG" which respectively represent the function icon and the background image of the home screen classified as the custom settings of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, in Table 11b, as display components, it includes "IP Address" and "Subnet Mask" which respectively represent the IP (Internet Protocol) and the subnet mask classified as the network settings of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0109] In Table 11b, as "Data Type", the data type corresponding to each "Data" is set from, for example, "String(MultiByte)", "String(ASCII)", "Integer", and "Image(Binary)".

[0110] In addition, in Table 11b, as "Protection Type", the protection type corresponding to each "Data" is set from, for example, "Personal" which represents the protection of personal information, "Normal" which represents no protection, and "Privacy" which represents the protection of privacy information. Here, the "Data" set to "Personal" represents the display component that is the object of protecting personal information. The "Data" set to "Normal" represents the display component that is the object of not protecting personal information and privacy information as long as it is not in the full lock mode. The "Data" set to "Privacy" represents the display component that is the object of protecting privacy information.

[0111] In addition, in Table 11b, as a setting other than the display component, it includes "Default Protection Mode" which represents the default protection mode of the security settings classified as the image forming apparatus 1. Here, an example where the protection mode is set to "Personal" indicating the personal information lock mode is listed. For the protection mode, in addition to "Personal", it can also be set from "All" indicating the full lock mode, "Privacy" indicating the privacy lock mode, and "Personal and Privacy" indicating the personal information and privacy lock mode. The determination in the above steps S11, S12, S22, and S26 can be implemented with reference to this setting.

[0112] When the result in step S23 is yes, that is, when the display component of the object is a display component for protecting personal information, the transmission processing unit 10a replaces the setting data of the display component of the object with a predetermined string and depicts it in the virtual buffer (step S24). Hereinafter, an example of using "**********" as the predetermined string is listed. However, the predetermined string only needs to be a string indicating that the string displayed in this area is hidden when not protected.

[0113] Next, the transmission processing unit 10a sets the pointer to the next display component (step S25) and performs the processing of step S22.

[0114] When the result in step S26 is yes, that is, when the current protection mode is a mode for protecting privacy information, the transmission processing unit 10a determines whether the protection type of the setting data of the display component of the object is "Privacy" (step S27). In the determination in step S27, Table 11b can also be used.

[0115] When the result in step S27 is no, the transmission processing unit 10a directly depicts the display component of the object in the virtual buffer without processing it (step S29) and proceeds to step S25. In step S29, the display component in the operation image is depicted in the virtual buffer. When the result in step S26 is no, it also proceeds to step S29.

[0116] In the case where the answer in step S27 is yes, that is, when the display component of the object is a display component that implements the protection of privacy information, the transmission processing unit 10a replaces the icon image of the display component of the object with a default icon image and depicts it in the virtual buffer (step S28). After step S28, the process proceeds to step S25.

[0117] After the display component protection process as described above, the transmission processing unit 10a transmits the content of the virtual buffer to the external device 2 as a remote operation image (step S15), and ends the process. Through such a display component protection process, the remote operation image transmitted to the external device 2 becomes an image in which information is protected for the operation image, as exemplified in the following (1) to (4).

[0118] (1) Example of a remote operation image in the personal information lock mode

[0119] For example Figure 7 In the scenario where the operation image 50pi shown in is displayed on the display unit 12, in step S15 after the process of step S24, the remote operation image 50ri with personal information set to non-disclosed is transmitted to the external device 2. Then, the reception processing unit 20a of the external device 2 receives the remote operation image 50ri and displays it on the display unit 22.

[0120] Here, the operation image 50pi is an example of an operation image displayed on the display unit 12 in the personal information lock mode. The operation image 50pi is an image in which the identifier 51p indicating the standard mode in the operation image 50p of Figure 5 has been replaced with an identifier 51pi indicating the personal information lock mode.

[0121] Then, the remote operation image 50ri becomes an image in which the information 53p indicating the user name, the information 55p indicating the contact name, and the information 56p indicating the email address, which are the display components relative to the operation image 50pi, have all been replaced with "**********". In the remote operation image 50ri, it can be seen that the information 53p in the operation image 50pi and the contact information 54p including the information 55p and 56p have been replaced with the information 53ri and the contact information 54ri including the information 55ri and 56ri, respectively. In addition, similar to the identifier 51pi, the remote operation image 50ri includes an identifier 51ri indicating the personal information lock mode.

[0122] In addition, from Figure 7When the identification 57p included in the contact information 54p of the operation image 50pi is selected through the operation unit 13 from the state of Figure 8 the operation image 80pi and the remote operation image 80ri shown in

[0123] can be respectively displayed on the display unit 12 and the display unit 22. In addition, such a display can also provide the remote operation image 50ri in a manner that can be executed through a selection operation from the operation unit 23 for the remote operation image 50ri. However, even in this case, as a result, the operation image 80pi and the remote operation image 80ri are respectively displayed on the display unit 12 and the display unit 22.

[0124] Here, the operation image 80pi is an example of the operation image displayed on the display unit 12 in the personal information lock mode. The operation image 80pi includes an identification 81pi indicating the current protection mode, a return button 82pi, information 83pi indicating the user name, and information about the contact indicated by the identification 57p. As the information about this contact, it includes information 84pi indicating the name, information 85pi indicating the email address, and information 86pi indicating the phone number.

[0125] (2) Example of the remote operation image in the privacy lock mode

[0126] For example, in Figure 9 the scenario where the operation image 90pp shown in is displayed on the display unit 12, in step S15 after the processing of step S28, the remote operation image 90rp with the privacy information set to non - public is sent to the external device 2. Then, the reception processing unit 20a of the external device 2 receives this remote operation image 90rp and causes it to be displayed on the display unit 22.

[0127] Here, the operation image 90pp is an example of an operation image displayed on the display unit 12 in the privacy lock mode. The operation image 90pp includes a prescribed identifier 91pp corresponding to the privacy lock mode which is the current protection mode, an icon group 92p including a plurality of customized icon images, information 93p indicating the user name of the image forming apparatus 1, and a background image 94p. Although in the icon group 92p, an example in which different customizations are implemented for each icon is shown, the same customization such as setting the same color can also be implemented for each icon. In addition, although not shown, in a scenario where an operation image similar to the operation image 90pp is displayed in the standard mode, only the identifier 91pp is replaced with that for the standard mode, and the same operation image is displayed for the icon group 92p and the information 93p.

[0128] The remote operation image 90rp is an example of a remote operation image that is transmitted to the external device 2 corresponding to the operation image 90pp and is displayed on the display unit 22. The remote operation image 90rp becomes an image in which the icon group 92p is replaced with the icon group 92rp before customization and the background image 94p is deleted or replaced with a white background image before customization with respect to the operation image 90pp. Similar to the identifier 91pp and the information 93p, the remote operation image 90rp includes an identifier 91rp and information 93rp, respectively.

[0129] (3) First example of personal information and remote operation image in the privacy lock mode

[0130] For example Figure 10 In a scenario where the operation image 90pip shown in is displayed on the display unit 12, in step S15 after the processes of steps S24 and S28, the personal information and the privacy information are set to be non-disclosed, and the remote operation image 90rip is transmitted to the external device 2. Then, the reception processing unit 20a of the external device 2 receives the remote operation image 90rip and causes it to be displayed on the display unit 22.

[0131] Here, the operation image 90pip is the first example of an operation image displayed on the display unit 12 in the personal information and privacy lock mode. The operation image 90pip includes a prescribed identifier 91pip corresponding to the personal information and privacy lock mode which is the current protection mode, an icon group 92p including a plurality of customized icon images, information 93p indicating the user name of the image forming apparatus 1, and a background image 94p.

[0132] The remote operation image 90rip is a first example of a remote operation image that is sent to the external device 2 corresponding to the operation image 90pip and is displayed on the display unit 22. The remote operation image 90rip becomes an image in which the icon group 92p is replaced by the icon group 92rip before customization and the background image 94p is deleted or replaced by a white background image before customization. In addition, the icon group 92rip is the same as the icon group 92rp of Figure 9 . Further, the remote operation image 90rip becomes an image in which the information 93p is replaced by the information 93rip indicating "**********" with respect to the operation image 90pip. Similar to the identifier 91pip, the identifier 91rip is included in the remote operation image 90rip.

[0133] (4) Second example of the remote operation image in the personal information and privacy lock mode

[0134] In a scenario where, for example, Figure 11 the operation image 50pip shown is displayed on the display unit 12, in step S15 after the processing of step S24, the remote operation image 50rip in which personal information and privacy information are made non-disclosed is sent to the external device 2. Then, the reception processing unit 20a of the external device 2 receives the remote operation image 50rip and causes it to be displayed on the display unit 22. In addition, since the operation image 50pip does not originally contain privacy information, the processing of step S28 is not performed. Therefore, the remote operation image 50rip becomes an image in which only personal information is made non-disclosed with respect to the operation image 50pip.

[0135] Here, the operation image 50pip is a second example of an operation image that is displayed on the display unit 12 in the personal information and privacy lock mode. The operation image 50pip is an image in which the identifier 51p indicating the standard mode in the operation image 50p of Figure 5 is replaced by the identifier 51pip indicating the personal information and privacy lock mode.

[0136] The remote operation image 50rip is a second example of a remote operation image that is sent to the external device 2 corresponding to the operation image 50pip and is displayed on the display unit 22. The remote operation image 50rip includes a return button 52rip, information 53rip, and contact information 54rip including information 55rip and 56rip. In the information 53rip, 55rip, and 56rip, it can be seen that the information of the corresponding operation image 50pip has been replaced by "**********". In addition, similar to the identifier 51pip, the remote operation image 50rip includes an identifier 51rip indicating personal information and the privacy lock mode. Additionally, the remote operation image 50rip corresponds to an image in which the identifier 51ri indicating the standard mode in the remote operation image 50ri of Figure 7 is replaced by the identifier 51rip indicating personal information and the privacy lock mode.

[0137] Above, while listing examples of the operation image and the remote operation image, the Figure 2 and Figure 3 processing examples are described. However, Figure 2 and Figure 3 the processing examples are merely examples. For example, the determination order of the protection mode can be changed, and corresponding processing can be applied.

[0138] Next, using Figure 12 , an example of the processing for accepting the switching operation of the protection mode is described. In Figure 12 , an example of the operation image in the personal information lock mode displayed in the present system 100, an example of the operation image for changing the setting from this operation image to the full lock mode, and an example of the operation image in the changed full lock mode are shown.

[0139] Figure 12 The operation image 60pi shown is an image in which the identifier 61pa in the operation image 60pa of Figure 6 is replaced by the mode switching button 61pi indicating the personal information lock mode. Here, the mode switching button 61pi can be selected from the operation unit 13 so that it functions as a button for switching the protection mode. In this way, the operation image displayed on the display unit 12 can include a mode switching button for switching the protection mode. Hereinafter, the protection mode switching operation from such an operation image 60pi is described. However, from the case where the identifier indicating the protection mode is shown on the operation image in Figures 5 to 11 , it can also be seen that regardless of the protection mode and the scene of the operation image, the mode switching button can be included in the operation image displayed on the display unit 12.

[0140] When the mode switching button 61pi included in the operation image 60pi is selected from the operation unit 13, the switching unit 10c causes the display unit 12 to display an operation image that can select a protection mode of a switching destination such as the operation image 60pim. In addition, since the operation unit 13 is equipped with a touch sensor or a touch panel, the selection of the mode switching button 61pi from the operation unit 13 can be received by a touch operation of the mode switching button 61pi.

[0141] The operation image 60pim is an image obtained by performing α blending on the entire operation image 60pi, covering it with a lighter color such as gray, and overlapping a mode selection image 66 thereon. The mode selection image 66 includes buttons for all selectable protection modes in a selectable manner. Figure 12 The mode selection image 66 is an image of a cross key with a standard mode button arranged in the center and other mode buttons arranged above, below, to the left, and to the right thereof. In addition, in the mode selection image 66, for example, the selection area 66a of the personal information lock mode can be emphasized by surrounding it with a frame in advance so as to know the current protection mode.

[0142] When, for example, the user touches the full lock mode button 66c or the like and makes a selection from the operation unit 13 from this state, the switching unit 10c switches to the full lock mode, updates the table 11b, and causes the operation image 60pa also shown in Figure 6 to be displayed on the display unit 12. The operation image 60pa includes a mode switching button 61pa indicating the full lock mode.

[0143] Here, regarding the touch operation for changing from the personal information lock mode to the full lock mode with respect to the mode selection image 66, it can be received by a single click, or can be received by a long press with a relatively short detection time. In this case, it is also possible not to display a warning image or the like for confirming the change of the protection mode. This is because this touch operation is an operation for further protecting information.

[0144] Conversely, regarding the touch operation for changing from the personal information lock mode to the standard mode with respect to the mode selection image 66, it can be received by a double click, or can be received by a long press that requires a relatively long detection time. The meaning of requiring a relatively long detection time means that if it is not touched longer than the detection time of the touch operation for changing from the personal information lock mode to the full lock mode, it will not be received as a touch operation. Or, when a touch operation for changing from the personal information lock mode to the standard mode is performed with respect to the mode selection image 66, it is also possible to display a warning image and accept the change to the standard mode only after the consent button included in the warning image is selected.

[0145] In this way, compared with the second operation of switching from the standard mode to any one of the second modes, the first operation of switching from any one of the second modes to the standard mode can set the operation time of the mode switching button implemented by the operation unit 13 to be longer. The first operation becomes an operation of changing information in the remote operation image in the direction of disclosure. The second operation becomes an operation of changing the operation in the remote operation image in the direction of protection. By making the first operation longer than the second operation in advance like this, it is possible to prevent an accidental misoperation of disclosing information.

[0146] The so-called length of the operation time can be set, for example, to the length of the detection time of the touch for accepting the selection of the mode switching button, that is, the length of the long-press operation time. In this case, the first tap operation of switching from any one of the second modes to the standard mode is set longer than the second tap operation of switching from the standard mode to any one of the second modes. Thus, when the user wants to perform the first tap operation, if the user does not touch for a longer time than the second tap operation, that is, if the user does not perform a tap longer than the second tap operation, the switching cannot be performed.

[0147] The same idea also applies to the buttons of other protection modes. For example, the operation of switching from the full lock mode to any one of the second modes or to the standard mode can set the operation time of the switching button implemented by the operation unit 13 to be longer than the operation of switching from any one of the second modes or the standard mode to the full lock mode.

[0148] In addition, although in the Figure 12 example, the buttons of the protection mode are configured in a cross shape, each button can also be configured in a column in the vertical or horizontal direction, for example. In this case, each button can be pre-configured with a protection mode in which more information can be protected at a position closer to the position of the current protection mode button.

[0149] In addition, the idea of protecting information corresponding to the difficulty of the operation on the mode selection image 66 can also be applied to the operation on the mode switching button 61pi, etc. of the operation image 60pi for displaying the mode selection image 66.

[0150] For example, in a scenario where a mode switching button indicating the current full lock mode is displayed on the operation image, compared with a scenario where a mode switching button indicating another protection mode is displayed on the operation image, it is preset that a larger number of times or a longer detection time is required for accepting a touch operation. In a scenario where a mode switching button indicating the current standard mode is displayed on the operation image, compared with a scenario where a mode switching button indicating another protection mode is displayed on the operation image, it is preset that a smaller number of times or a shorter detection time is required for accepting a touch operation. In addition, in a scenario where a mode switching button indicating any one of the current second modes is displayed on the operation image, the number of times or the detection period for accepting a touch operation is preset to be a value between a scenario where a mode switching button indicating the full lock mode is displayed on the operation image and a scenario where a mode switching button indicating the standard mode is displayed on the operation image.

[0151] In addition, although the identifier or mode switching button indicating the protection mode shown in Figures 5 to 12 may also be always displayed, in cases where, for example, the display area is limited and there are other display items that should be prioritized, etc., it may be displayed only during remote operation. In addition, when the mode switching button is displayed only during remote operation, for example, the full lock mode may have to be set as the default protection mode immediately after the remote operation is started. Thereby, the risk of suddenly disclosing all information at the start of the remote operation can be avoided.

[0152] In addition, although in the case where the operation image includes a mode switching button, as exemplified in Figures 5 to 11 it is sufficient to display the corresponding identifier on the remote operation image as well, it may also not be displayed on the remote operation image. In this way, in the remote operation image, it can be set to be in a state where it cannot be selected, that is, to include the mode switching button only as an identifier, or not to include the mode switching button. Thereby, the risk of the remote operator changing the protection mode can be avoided.

[0153] Effects of the present embodiment

[0154] As can be seen from the above description, according to this embodiment, when a part or all of the operation image of the image forming apparatus 1 is displayed via a network from the external apparatus 2 and an operation is performed, information protection can be implemented in a state where an operation from the external apparatus 2 can be performed. For example, in the information protection mode in which at least one of personal information and privacy information is hidden for protection, which is described as the second mode, unlike the full lock mode, a part that has nothing to do with the information of the hidden object and a part required for the operation are displayed on the remote operation image. Therefore, in this case, similarly to the standard mode, the remote operator can perform an operation on the remote operation image in a proxy manner. In this way, according to this embodiment, while allowing an operation on the operation image performed by the remote operator via the remote operation image, personal information or the privacy of the owner possessed by the image forming apparatus 1 can be protected.

[0155] In addition, according to this embodiment, by adopting a configuration such that the protection mode can be switched from the operation unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 1, relevant protection can be implemented according to the intention of the user of the image forming apparatus 1. In other words, according to this embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 1 having a remote panel function, sharing of the operation image displayed on the display unit 12 can be set for the remote operator in a stepwise manner. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the display of personal information or information related to the privacy of the owner managed by the image forming apparatus 1 can be switched according to the situation.

[0156] For example, in this embodiment, based on the protection types such as privacy and personal information classified for the registration information 11a of the image forming apparatus 1, by the protection mode set by the owner who owns the image forming apparatus 1, the information displayed on the remote panel can be switched step by step. The background image or icon image customized by the owner of the image forming apparatus 1 is equivalent to the privacy that reads the owner's interest. When the owner sets the privacy information as not public, for the remote operator, by replacing it with the default background and icon images and sharing them, the function of the remote panel can be executed while protecting the privacy of the user. For example, information such as contact information registered in the image forming apparatus 1 is equivalent to personal information. When the owner of the image forming apparatus 1 sets the personal information as not public, for the remote operator, by replacing the personal information with a predetermined string and sharing it, the function of the remote panel can be executed while protecting the personal information.

[0157] Here, the usage scenarios of the present system 100 will be supplemented. For example, the present system 100 can receive the provision of a remote panel through an external device 2 used by a remote operator located away from the image forming apparatus 1. Examples of such remote operators include IT (Information Technology) managers or service personnel, dealer engineers, etc. These remote operators can perform troubleshooting or training for end users without having to go to the site where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed. For example, an IT manager within a company where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed can use the external device 2 to directly access and use the image forming apparatus 1 from within the same intranet.

[0158] Modification examples of the image forming system

[0159] Usage Figures 13 to 17 , modification examples of the present system 100 will be described. Figure 13 FIG. is a flowchart for explaining a processing example of the image forming apparatus in the modification example of the present system 100. Figure 14 For Figure 13 a flowchart for explaining an example of display unit protection processing in the processing example of Figure 15 FIG. is a schematic diagram showing an example of personal information and an operation image in the privacy lock mode displayed in the processing example of Figure 13 and an example of a remote operation image displayed corresponding thereto. Figure 16 FIG. is a schematic diagram showing another example of personal information and an operation image in the privacy lock mode displayed in the processing example of Figure 13 and an example of a remote operation image displayed corresponding thereto.

[0160] Figure 17 FIG. is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation image displayed when the image forming apparatus 1 is set to the simple mode in order to execute the processing example of Figure 13 .

[0161] The image forming apparatus 1 according to this modification example is configured in such a way that the drawing processing can be simplified compared to the processing examples of Figure 2 and Figure 3 . Hereinafter, the mode of performing such simplified drawing processing will be referred to as the simple drawing mode, and the processing examples of Figure 2 and Figure 3 will be referred to as the normal drawing mode and will be described.

[0162] Hereinafter, the process flow of the processing related to this modification example will be described. First, the transmission processing unit 10a determines whether the current protection mode is the full lock mode (step S31). When the answer is yes in step S31, that is, when the current protection mode is the full lock mode, similar to Figure 3 steps S17 and S18 of Figure 6 , the transmission processing unit 10a fills the virtual buffer with black (step S37), and depicts a protection mode identifier in the virtual buffer (step S38). Thereafter, the transmission processing unit 10a sends the content of the virtual buffer to the external device 2 as a remote operation image (step S36), and ends the processing. In this case, for example, as exemplified in

[0163] , in addition to the identifier 61ra that is the same as the identifier 61pa indicating the protection mode, the operation image 60pa is displayed as a blackened remote operation image 60ra on the external device 2.

[0164] When the answer is no in step S31, the transmission processing unit 10a copies the main display buffer to the virtual buffer (step S32). After step S32, the transmission processing unit 10a determines whether the current protection mode is the standard mode (step S33). Figure 5 When the answer is yes in step S33, that is, when the current protection mode is the standard mode, the transmission processing unit 10a sends the content of the virtual buffer to the external device 2 as a remote operation image (step S36), and ends the processing. In this case, for example, as exemplified in

[0165] , the operation image 50p is directly displayed as a remote operation image 50r on the external device 2. Figure 2 On the other hand, when the answer is no in step S33, that is, when the current protection mode is any one of the second modes, similar to

[0166] step S13 of Figure 14 , the transmission processing unit 10a sets the pointer at the beginning of the display component list of the remote operation image (step S34). After step S34, the transmission processing unit 10a performs display component protection processing on the display component indicated by the pointer (step S35).

[0167] As Figure 3Similarly, in step S22, the transmission processing unit 10a determines whether the current protection mode is the personal information lock mode or the personal information and privacy lock mode (step S42). When the result in step S42 is no, it is the same as Figure 3 Similarly, in step S26, the transmission processing unit 10a determines whether the current protection mode is the privacy lock mode or the personal information and privacy lock mode (step S46).

[0168] When the result in step S42 is yes, that is, when the current protection mode is a mode for protecting personal information, the transmission processing unit 10a performs the same processing as Figure 3 step S23 (step S43). In step S43, it is determined whether the protection type of the setting data of the target display component is "Personal". When the result in step S43 is no, the transmission processing unit 10a executes the processing of step S46.

[0169] When the result in step S43 is yes, that is, when the target display component is a display component for protecting personal information, the transmission processing unit 10a acquires the area of the target display component and fills the virtual buffer with black (step S44). In step S44, after filling with black, a string or symbol indicating the protection type may be drawn. Here, as the string, for example, "Personal" etc. can be used. Next, the transmission processing unit 10a sets the pointer to the next display component (step S45), and performs the processing of step S42.

[0170] When the result in step S46 is yes, that is, when the current protection mode is a mode for protecting privacy information, the transmission processing unit 10a performs the same processing as Figure 3 step S27 (step S47). In step S47, it is determined whether the protection type of the setting data of the display component that is the target display component is "Privacy".

[0171] When the result in step S47 is yes, that is, when the target display component is a display component for protecting privacy information, the transmission processing unit 10a executes the processing of step S44. In step S44, after filling with black, a string or symbol indicating the protection type may be drawn. Here, as the string, for example, "Privacy" etc. can be used. When the result in step S47 is no, the transmission processing unit 10a sets the pointer to the next display component (step S45), and performs the processing of step S42. When the result in step S46 is no, it also proceeds to step S45.

[0172] After the display unit protection process as described above, the transmission processing unit 10a transmits the content of the virtual buffer as a remote operation image to the external device 2 (step S36) and ends the process. Through such a display unit protection process, the remote operation image transmitted to the external device 2 becomes an image in which information is protected for the operation image, as exemplified by the following (5) to (6).

[0173] (5) Example of remote operation image in personal information and privacy lock mode

[0174] For example Figure 15 In the scenario where the operation image 60pip shown in is displayed on the display unit 12, in step S36 after the process of step S44, the remote operation image 60rips in which personal information and privacy information are set to be non-disclosed is transmitted to the external device 2. Then, the reception processing unit 20a of the external device 2 receives the remote operation image 60rips and displays it on the display unit 22.

[0175] The remote operation image 60rips is an example of a remote operation image that is transmitted to the external device 2 corresponding to the operation image 60pip and is displayed on the display unit 22. The remote operation image 60rips becomes an image obtained by replacing the icon group 62p with the icon group 62rips in which the icon group 62p is blacked out and the string "Privacy" is depicted, relative to the operation image 60pip. Further, the remote operation image 60rips becomes an image in which the information 63p indicating the user name of the image forming apparatus 1 is blacked out and the string "Personal" is depicted, relative to the operation image 60pip. In addition, similar to the identifier 61pip, the identifier 61rips is included in the remote operation image 60rips.

[0176] (6) Example of remote operation image in personal information lock mode

[0177] For example Figure 16 In the scenario where the operation image 50pip shown in is displayed on the display unit 12, in step S36 after the process of step S44, the remote operation image 50rips in which personal information is set to be non-disclosed is transmitted to the external device 2. Then, the reception processing unit 20a of the external device 2 receives the remote operation image 50rips and displays it on the display unit 22.

[0178] Here, the operation image 50pip is Figure 11The operation image 50pip. The remote operation image 50rips is an example of a remote operation image that is sent to the external device 2 corresponding to the operation image 50pip and is displayed on the display unit 22. The remote operation image 50rips becomes an image in which the information 55p and 56p included in the information 53p and the contact information 54p are all blacked out and the string "Personal" is depicted with respect to the operation image 50pip. It can be seen that the information 55rips and 56rips included in the information 53rips and the contact information 54rips in the remote operation image 50rips are all depicted with the string "Personal" on the basis that the information in the corresponding operation image 50pip is blacked out. In addition, similar to the identifier 51pip and the return button 52p, the remote operation image 50rips includes the identifier 51rips and the return button 52rips, respectively.

[0179] As described above, while examples of the operation image and the remote operation image are listed, Figure 13 and Figure 14 the processing examples of Figure 13 and Figure 14 are explained. However,

[0180] In Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the normal drawing mode described above, it is necessary to perform the processing of determining the protection mode and replacing the information for each of all the display components. Therefore, in the normal drawing mode, since the content of the operation image to be displayed on the display unit 12 cannot be transmitted all at once, but is redrawn for each drawing component into a remote operation image, the processing load for the drawing process is relatively high.

[0181] On the other hand, in the simple drawing mode described as this modification example, on the basis of temporarily copying the operation image displayed on the display unit 12 to the virtual buffer, the display areas of the respective display components are obtained, and then the areas are filled. Therefore, in the simple drawing mode, there is no need to consider the drawing order, and it only requires a minimal covering process, so that the processing load can be reduced compared with the normal drawing mode.

[0182] However, for the simple drawing mode, it is not possible to perform a detailed replacement of the drawing components. In addition, in the case of an area where a background image, which occupies a large part, is the object to be protected, it will be filled more than necessary. Therefore, in a scenario where there are detailed display components or in the specifications of the image forming apparatus 1 with a background image, the appearance of the normal drawing mode is better than that of the simple drawing mode.

[0183] In this way, since both the simple drawing mode and the normal drawing mode have their own unique advantages, it is best to be able to use these drawing modes separately. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 preferably has a function of switching the drawing mode between the simple drawing mode and the normal drawing mode in advance. Such a switching of the drawing mode, for example, may be performed as long as the switching unit 10c executes based on the drawing mode set by the user operation from the operation unit 13.

[0184] The setting of the drawing mode can, for example, cause the display unit 12 to display an operation image such as Figure 17 the operation image 170pi shown and accept it. The operation image 170pi may include, for example, a check box 174pi for selecting "Normal Mode" indicating the normal drawing mode, and a check box 175pi for selecting "Simple Mode" indicating the simple drawing mode. In addition, the operation image 170pi may include an identifier 171pi indicating the current protection mode, information 173pi of the user, a return button 172pi, and the like.

[0185] The user can select the drawing mode by selecting any one of the check boxes 174pi and 175pi from the operation unit 13 for the operation image 170pi. The drawing mode can be registered in advance, for example, as part of the security settings in the table 11b so that it can be referred to at least before the drawing process. For example, as long as it is registered in the table 11b in advance whether the default drawing mode is the normal drawing mode or the simple drawing mode based on the user's selection operation. Then, before starting the transmission of the remote operation image, the switching unit 10c of the image forming apparatus 1 can perform the switching of the drawing mode between the normal drawing mode and the simple drawing mode.

[0186] Of course, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this modification example may not have the function of switching the drawing mode, but always perform the drawing in the simple drawing mode for the drawing process.

[0187] In addition, since the setting of the drawing mode affects the remote operation image, it may also be set in advance so that it can be executed by operating the remote operation image displayed on the display unit 22 of the external device 2 from the operation unit 23. However, the remote operation image displayed when accepting such a setting operation of the drawing mode from the operation unit 23 is also set as an image in which the information is protected according to the protection mode.

[0188] Modification example of the operation image

[0189] Use Figure 18 And Figure 19, a modified example of the operation image displayed on the display unit 12 will be described. Figure 18 It is a schematic diagram showing another example of the operation image of personal information displayed in this system 100 and in the privacy lock mode. Figure 19 It is a schematic diagram showing another example of the operation image in the full lock mode displayed in this system 100.

[0190] The operation image displayed on the display unit 12 can be, for example, like Figure 18 the operation image 50pipc shown or Figure 19 the operation image 50pae shown, and is displayed in such a way that the user of the image forming apparatus 1 can distinguish whether it is a part protected in the remote operation image.

[0191] Figure 18 The operation image 50pipc shown is an example of the operation image displayed on the display unit 12 in the personal information and privacy lock mode. The operation image 50pipc is an image obtained by replacing the identifier 51p indicating the standard mode with the identifier 51pipc indicating the personal information and privacy lock mode in the Figure 5 operation image 50p. Similarly to the return button 52p, the information 53p, and the contact information 54p including the information 55p, 56p of the operation image 50p respectively, the operation image 50pipc also includes a return button 52pipc, information 53pipc, and contact information 54pipc including information 55pipc, 56pipc.

[0192] However, the information 53pipc, information 55pipc, and information 56pipc in the operation image 50pipc are respectively α - blended and overlaid with a light - colored image relative to the Figure 5 information 53p, information 55p, and information 56p in the operation image 50p. The light color here means that as long as it is a color that becomes lighter as a result of α - blending, for example, green, blue, yellow, red, etc., and there is no limitation on the color.

[0193] Figure 19 The operation image 50pae shown is an example of the operation image displayed on the display unit 12 in the full lock mode. The operation image 50pae is an image obtained by replacing the identifier 51p indicating the standard mode with the identifier 51pa indicating the full lock mode in the Figure 5 operation image 50p. Further, in order to indicate the overall protection of the corresponding remote operation image, the outer frame of the operation image 50pae is changed to a predetermined color. Additionally, the above - mentioned predetermined color can also be any color such as green, yellow, red, etc.

[0194] In this way, the display unit 12 can also display the operation image in a state where the display mode of the registered information 11a differs according to the protection mode. Thus, the protected information can be notified to the user of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the display mode for notifying the user of the protected information is not limited to Figure 18 and Figure 19 examples. For example, notification based on a dialog box or a message can also be adopted. In any example, for instance, such drawing for notification can be executed according to the protection mode before the operation image is displayed on the display unit 12.

[0195] Other modification examples of the image forming apparatus 1

[0196] Although as described above, the user who has registered the registered information 11a may also refer to the user who is the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1, as long as it is a user of the image forming apparatus 1. When multiple users have registered the registered information 11a, these registered information 11a can be aggregated to perform processing corresponding to the protection mode and display the remote operation image. Alternatively, when multiple users have registered the registered information 11a, processing corresponding to the protection mode can be performed on the registered information 11a of the user who is currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 1 or is in a state of using the image forming apparatus 1, and the remote operation image can be displayed. In this case, for the registered information 11a registered by other users who are not logged in, it can also be set in advance not to display the remote operation image regardless of the protection mode.

[0197] In addition, the display component of the protected object or the protection granularity can also be made different according to the functions, display performance, operation performance, etc. of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, for the image forming apparatus 1, dedicated buttons can also be provided in advance for setting the protection mode, drawing mode, display component of the protected object, etc.

[0198] Other network structure examples of the image forming system

[0199] Use Figure 20 , other structural examples of the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 20 FIG. represents a schematic block diagram of other structural examples of the image forming system including the image forming apparatus and the terminal apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0200] The image forming system according to the present embodiment can be configured to include Figure 20An image forming system 100A having a network structure example as shown. In the image forming system 100A, an external device 2 and an image forming device 1 are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network), and a communication control device 3 such as a router is connected to the LAN. The LAN can be, for example, the LAN of a company where the image forming device 1 is installed. The communication control device 3 is a device that controls the communication between devices within the LAN and the network N1. A server device 4 is connected to the network N1.

[0201] Regarding the server device 4, although its details are omitted, it can be considered as a server computer having a function of providing a remote panel to the external device 2. The server device 4 can also have a structure in which functions are dispersed, for example, by an acceptance server device that exchanges with the external device 2 and a base server device that is connected to the acceptance server device and exchanges with the image forming device 1. The acceptance server device can be considered as a server device that provides acceptance processing of operations from the external device 2 to the external device 2. The base server device can be considered as a server device that provides processing for operating the operation image of the image forming device 1 based on the operation received by the acceptance server device to the image forming device 1. In addition, the image forming system 100A can also be a system having three or more dispersed server devices with further functions implemented. That is, the image forming device 1 only needs to have a structure in which it communicates with the external device 2 via at least one server device or the like and at least one information processing device. In this case, the external device 2 has a structure in which it communicates with the image forming device 1 via at least one server device or the like and at least one information processing device. Of course, the network structure applicable in this embodiment is not limited to Figure 1 or Figure 20 the cases exemplified in

[0202] Here, the usage scenarios of the image forming system 100A will be described. Similar to the present system 100, in the image forming system 100A, for example, the provision of a remote panel can be received by an external device 2 used by a remote operator located far from the image forming device 1. For example, in the image forming system 100A, an IT manager within the company where the image forming device 1 is installed can use an external device 2 within the same intranet and access the image forming device 1 via a server device 4 provided outside the intranet for use. In addition, in the image forming system 100A, service personnel or dealer engineers outside the company where the image forming device 1 is installed can also use an external device 2 and access the image forming device 1 via the server device 4 for use.

[0203] Other modification examples

[0204] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist. For example, the image forming apparatus applied to the image forming system according to the present embodiment can also be widely applied to, as understood from, for example, Figure 6 operation images and the like, in copiers, facsimile machines, multifunction machines having these functions, and the like.

[0205] In addition, each device included in the image forming system according to the above-described embodiment can have, for example, the following hardware configuration. Figure 21 FIG. shows an example of the hardware configuration of the device.

[0206] Figure 21 The device 1000 shown in can include a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and an interface 1003. The interface 1003 can include, depending on the device, necessary interfaces such as a communication interface, or an interface for connecting to sensors, input / output devices, and the like.

[0207] The processor 1001 can be, for example, a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) also referred to as a microprocessor, or the like. The processor 1001 can also include a plurality of processors. The memory 1002 is composed of, for example, a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The functions in each device can be implemented by the processor 1001 reading a program stored in the memory 1002 and executing the program while exchanging necessary information via the interface 1003.

[0208] In addition, the program described above includes a set of commands (or software code) that, when read by a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program can also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of non-limiting example, the computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), cache memory, solid-state drive (SSD), or other memory technologies. In addition, by way of non-limiting example, the computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, or other optical disc storage, cassette tapes, magnetic tapes, disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices. The program can also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or a communication medium. By way of non-limiting example, the transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of transmission signals.

[0209] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above-described embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the structures of the above-described embodiments, and of course includes various modifications, changes, and combinations that can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention of the technical solutions of the claims of this application.

[0210] Reference Signs

[0211] 1... Image forming apparatus; 2... External device; 3... Communication control device; 4... Server device; 10... Control unit; 10a... Transmission processing unit; 10b... Reception processing unit; 10c... Switching unit; 11... Storage unit; 11a... Registered information; 11b... Table; 12... Display unit; 13... Operation unit; 14... Communication unit; 15... Printing unit; 20... Control unit; 20a... Reception processing unit; 20b... Transmission processing unit; 21... Storage unit; 22... Display unit; 23... Operation unit; 24... Communication unit; 100... Image forming system; 100A... Image forming system; 1000... Device; 1001... Processor; 1002... Memory; 1003... Interface; N... Network; N1... Network.

Claims

1. An image forming device comprising: Ministry of Communications; Operations Department; a display unit that displays an operation image that can be operated from the operation unit; a transmission processing unit that transmits display information for displaying a remote operation image based on the operation image to an external device via the communication unit; a switching unit for switching a disclosure mode related to information disclosure on the remote operation image, The public mode includes a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode in which the specified information included in a part of the operation image is included in the display information, and the registration information which is information registered by the user and included in a part of the operation image is included in the display information. The second mode is a mode in which the predetermined information is included in the display information and the registered information is not included in the display information.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The public mode further includes a third mode in which the prescribed information is not included in the display information and the registered information is not included in the display information.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The operation image includes a switch button for switching the public mode. The operation time of the switching button performed by the operation unit is set longer for the operation of switching from the second mode to the first mode than for the operation of switching from the first mode to the second mode.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The registration information includes at least one of a background image serving as a background in the operation image and an icon image representing a selectable icon.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The registration information includes information indicating contact information registered by the user.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The registration information includes information indicating a password registered by the user.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The operation image includes a switch button for implementing the switching of the public mode. The display information includes the switch button in a non-selectable state, or does not include the switch button.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The display unit displays the operation image in a state where the display form of the registration information is different according to the public mode.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The switching unit sets the public mode to the second mode when the transmission processing unit starts transmitting the display information.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The switching unit sets the public mode to the third mode when the transmission processing unit starts transmitting the display information.

11. A method for sending information, wherein: An image forming device including a communication unit, an operation unit, and a display unit for displaying an operation image that can be operated from the operation unit, wherein display information for displaying a remote operation image based on the operation image is transmitted to an external device via the communication unit, The image forming device switches a disclosure mode related to information disclosure on the remote operation image. The public mode includes a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode in which the specified information included in a part of the operation image is included in the display information, and the registration information which is information registered by the user and included in a part of the operation image is included in the display information. The second mode is a mode in which the predetermined information is included in the display information and the registered information is not included in the display information.

Images