Information processing system and program

Abstract

To inhibit a person remotely operating an image processing device from performing an instruction of reading an unintended manuscript.SOLUTION: An image processing device 10 includes a controlling unit 11 including: a manuscript set determination unit 103 for determining that a manuscript to be a target of reading processing by the image processing device 10 remotely connected to a terminal is set on the image processing device 10; a transmission controlling unit 106 for making the determination and impossibility of identifying a user setting the manuscript be reported toward the terminal; and the transmission controlling unit 106 that in the case that the manuscript set determination unit 103 determines that the manuscript is set on the image processing device 10 when the image processing device 10 acquires identification information for identifying the user, makes the identification information be reported toward the terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technology that enables remote operation of an image processing device, such as a multifunction peripheral that enables printing and reading of documents, by connecting a remote terminal to the image processing device (for example, Patent Document 1). Such a technology enables operations for causing the image processing device to read a document set therein and operations for acquiring information on the read document to be performed from the remote terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-207875 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are times when a person remotely operating an image processing device cannot check the document that is set when the document reading starts, for example, when the person remotely operating the image processing device asks another person to set the document to be read by the image processing device. In such a case, the person remotely operating the image processing device may give an instruction to read a document that he or she does not intend.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to prevent a person remotely operating an image processing apparatus from issuing an instruction to read an original document unintentionally. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is an information processing system comprising one or more processors, which, when a document to be read by an image processing device remotely connected to a terminal is set in the image processing device, notify the terminal of this fact and that the user who set the document cannot be identified, and when the image processing device acquires specific information for identifying the user, if the document is set in the image processing device, notify the terminal of the specific information. The invention described in claim 2 is the information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the specific information is information provided to the image processing device by the user's direct operation on the image processing device. The invention described in claim 3 is the information processing system described in claim 2, characterized in that the user's direct operation is an operation of causing the image processing device to read the specific information corresponding to a predetermined medium, or an operation of inputting the specific information into a user interface of the image processing device. The invention described in claim 4 is the information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the one or more processors, when an instruction to execute the reading process is given from the terminal to the image processing device, cause the image processing device to start the reading process. The invention described in claim 5 is the information processing system described in claim 4, characterized in that the one or more processors notify the terminal when the original document set in the image processing device is removed before the instruction is performed. The invention described in claim 6 is the information processing system described in claim 4, characterized in that the one or more processors stop the reading process when the number of sheets of the document when the document is set in the image processing device differs from the number of sheets of the document counted in the reading process. The invention described in claim 7 is the information processing system described in claim 6, characterized in that the one or more processors determine the number of pages of the document when the document is set in the image processing device based on information regarding the number of pages of the document provided in advance by the user or the terminal. The invention described in claim 8 is the information processing system described in claim 6, characterized in that the one or more processors notify the terminal that the reading process by the image processing device has been stopped. The invention described in claim 9 is a program that enables a computer to realize the following functions: when a document to be read by an image processing device remotely connected to a terminal is set in the image processing device, the computer notifies the terminal of that fact and that the user who set the document cannot be identified; and when the image processing device acquires specific information for identifying the user, the computer notifies the terminal of the specific information if the document is set in the image processing device. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention of claim 1, when a document to be read by an image processing device remotely connected to a terminal is set, the terminal is notified of the setting and the fact that the user who set the document cannot be identified. This allows the user who remotely operates the image processing device to confirm that the document has been set. Then, when the image processing device acquires specific information for identifying the user, if a document has been set in the image processing device, the terminal is notified of the specific information. This allows the user who remotely operates the image processing device to issue an instruction to execute a read process after confirming who the user who set the document is. As a result, reading of a document unintended by the user who remotely operates the image processing device is suppressed. According to the present invention of claim 2, when a user who has placed a document on an image processing device directly operates the image processing device, specific information is provided to the image processing device, making it possible to estimate that the user identified from the specific information is the user who placed the document on the image processing device. According to the present invention of claim 3, it becomes possible to estimate that a user identified from specific information obtained by an operation of having an image processing device read specific information associated with a predetermined medium, or by an operation of inputting specific information into a user interface of the image processing device, is the user who set the document in the image processing device. According to the present invention of claim 4, the reading process is started in response to an instruction to execute the reading process from a remotely connected terminal to the image processing device. This allows a user remotely operating the image processing device to issue an instruction to execute the reading process after confirming who has set the document. As a result, reading of a document unintended by the user remotely operating the image processing device is prevented. According to the present invention of claim 5, when the document set in the image processing device is removed before an instruction to execute the reading process is given, the terminal is notified of the removal. This allows a user remotely operating the image processing device to check whether a document is set before giving an instruction to execute the reading process. According to the present invention of claim 6, when the number of documents when the documents are set in the image processing device differs from the number of documents counted in the reading process, the reading process is stopped. This prevents the reading of documents that are not intended by the user remotely operating the image processing device, such as documents that have been partially removed after the reading process has started, or documents that have already been left out or overlapped when they were set. According to the present invention of claim 7, the number of original sheets when the original is set is identified based on information regarding the number of original sheets provided in advance by the user or the terminal, making it possible to compare the regular number of original sheets with the number of sheets actually read. According to the present invention of claim 8, the terminal is notified that the reading process has been stopped because the number of documents when the documents were set in the image processing device differs from the number of documents counted in the reading process. This allows a user remotely operating the image processing device to know that the reading process for a document not intended by the user has been stopped before it is completed. According to the present invention of claim 9, when a document to be read by an image processing device remotely connected to a terminal is set, the terminal is notified of the setting and the fact that the user who set the document cannot be identified. This allows a user who remotely operates the image processing device to confirm that the document has been set. Then, when the image processing device acquires specific information for identifying the user, if a document has been set in the image processing device, the terminal is notified of the specific information. This allows a user who remotely operates the image processing device to issue an instruction to execute a read process after confirming who the user who set the document is. As a result, reading of a document unintended by the user who remotely operates the image processing device is suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an information processing system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of a control unit of the image processing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of a control unit of a user terminal. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of the image processing device. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of a user terminal. [Figure 7]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of the relationship between a first user who instructs an image processing device to execute a reading process by remotely operating the image processing device from a user terminal, a second user who receives a request from the first user and sets a document to be read in the image processing device, and a third user who instructs the image processing device to execute the reading process by directly operating the image processing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a process performed when a second user who has set a document in the image processing device at the request of a first user resets the document. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a process when a second user requested by a first user and a third user who is a third party each place a document on an image processing device and hold an IC card over the image processing device. [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing a specific example of information displayed on a user terminal when a plurality of users place documents on the image processing apparatus; [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example in which a second user who has placed documents on the image processing device at the request of a first user inputs the number of placed documents as a direct operation on the image processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Configuration of information processing system> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 to which the present embodiment is applied. The information processing system 1 is configured by connecting an image processing device 10 and a user terminal 30 via a network 90. ​​The network 90 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0010] (Image Processing Device) The image processing device 10 is an information processing device that performs various processes in response to input operations by a user who uses the information processing system 1. For example, the image processing device 10 performs a print process in which an image is formed on a medium such as paper and outputted, a copy process in which an image of an original is copied onto a medium such as paper and outputted, a read process in which an image formed on paper or the like is read, and a fax process in which an original is transmitted by facsimile. Examples of the image processing device 10 include a so-called electrophotographic multifunction machine that forms a toner image on the printing surface of paper, and a so-called inkjet printer that ejects ink onto the printing surface of paper.

[0011] The image processing device 10 displays a user interface, accepts an input operation on the user interface, and acquires the input information. The input operation on the user interface is divided into direct operation and remote operation. A direct operation is a direct input operation on the user interface displayed on the image processing device 10 by a user facing the image processing device 10. A remote operation is an indirect input operation on the user interface of the image processing device 10 shared and displayed on the user terminal 30 by a user operating a user terminal 30 remotely connected to the image processing device 10.

[0012] Furthermore, the image processing device 10 acquires various information transmitted from the user terminal 30 and performs various processes. For example, the image processing device 10 receives an instruction to execute a job from a user and executes the job. A "job" is a unit indicating a predetermined process executed by the image processing device 10 (for example, a print process for forming an image on a medium such as paper and outputting it, a copy process for copying an image of an original onto a medium such as paper and outputting it, a read process for reading an image formed on paper or the like, a fax process for transmitting an original by facsimile, etc.). Furthermore, the image processing device 10 transmits various information to the user terminal 30.

[0013] For example, when the image processing device 10 is remotely connected to the user terminal 30, when a document to be read is set, the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 of that fact and that the user who set the document has not been identified (hereinafter, may be referred to as "user unidentified"). After that, if the document is set when the image processing device 10 acquires information for identifying the user who set the document (hereinafter, referred to as "user identification information"), the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 of the acquired user identification information.

[0014] The method by which the image processing device 10 acquires the user identification information is not particularly limited. For example, the image processing device 10 may acquire the user identification information provided by a direct operation of the user. In this case, examples of the direct operation include an operation of making the image processing device 10 read the user identification information associated with a predetermined medium (e.g., an IC card, etc.) and an operation of inputting the user identification information into a user interface of the image processing device 10.

[0015] The image processing device 10 starts the reading process when an instruction to execute the reading process is given to the image processing device 10 from the user terminal 30. When the image processing device 10 detects that the document to be read is removed after the document to be read is set but before the instruction to execute the reading process is given, the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 of the removal.

[0016] When the image processing device 10 receives an instruction from the user terminal 30 to execute a reading process and starts the reading process, and detects that the number of documents when the documents were set differs from the number of documents counted in the reading process, the image processing device 10 stops the reading process and notifies the user terminal 30 that the reading process has been stopped.

[0017] In this case, the method by which the image processing device 10 identifies the number of sheets of the document when the document is set is not particularly limited. For example, the image processing device 10 may identify the number of sheets of the document when the document is set based on information on the number of sheets of the document to be read, which is provided based on a direct operation of the user who sets the document, or provided from the user terminal 30. The configuration and processing of the image processing device 10 will be described in detail later.

[0018] (User terminal) The user terminal 30 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a personal computer operated by a user who uses the information processing system 1. Application software that enables remote operation of the image processing device 10 is installed in the user terminal 30.

[0019] The user terminal 30 acquires various types of information transmitted from the image processing device 10 and performs various processes. Furthermore, the user terminal 30 transmits various types of information to the image processing device 10. For example, the user terminal 30 displays a user interface of the remotely connected image processing device 10 in a shared manner. Furthermore, the user terminal 30 accepts an input operation on the shared and displayed user interface and acquires the input information.

[0020] For example, when an input operation for causing the image processing device 10 to execute a job is performed as an input operation on the shared and displayed user interface, the user terminal 30 transmits the input information to the image processing device 10 to request execution of the job. The user terminal 30 also acquires control information transmitted from the image processing device 10 and performs various processes based on the control information. For example, the user terminal 30 displays various pieces of information based on the control information transmitted from the image processing device 10 for displaying various pieces of information.

[0021] Furthermore, when the user terminal 30 is notified from the image processing device 10 that an original has been set in the image processing device 10 and that the user is unspecified, the user terminal 30 displays that an original has been set and that the user is unspecified. Furthermore, when the user terminal 30 is notified of the user identification information as a notification from the image processing device 10 after the user who set the original provides the user identification information to the image processing device 10, the user terminal 30 displays the user identification information.

[0022] Furthermore, when an input operation is performed to instruct execution of a reading process, the user terminal 30 transmits the input information to the image processing device 10. Furthermore, when the user terminal 30 is notified from the image processing device 10 that the reading process has been stopped, the user terminal 30 displays a message to the effect that the reading process has been stopped. Furthermore, when the user terminal 30 is notified from the image processing device 10 that the reading process has been completed, the user terminal 30 displays a message to the effect that the reading process has been completed. The configuration and processing of the user terminal 30 will be described in detail later.

[0023] The configuration of the information processing system 1 described above is an example, and the information processing system 1 as a whole may have the function of realizing the above-mentioned processing. Therefore, some or all of the functions of the above-mentioned processing may be shared or cooperated within the information processing system 1. That is, some or all of the functions of the user terminal 30 may be functions of the image processing device 10, and some or all of the functions of the image processing device 10 may be functions of the user terminal 30. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the user terminal 30 and the image processing device 10 constituting the information processing system 1 may be transferred to another server (not shown) or the like. This promotes processing in the information processing system 1 as a whole, and also makes it possible for the processes to be complemented.

[0024] <Hardware configuration of image processing device> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing device 10. As shown in FIG. The image processing device 10 has a control unit 11, a memory 12, a storage unit 13, a communication unit 14, an operation unit 15, a display unit 16, a reading unit 17, an image forming unit 18, and a sensor unit 19. These units are connected to each other via a data bus, an address bus, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, etc.

[0025] The control unit 11 is a processor that controls the functions of the user terminal 30 through the execution of various software such as an OS (operating system) and application software. The control unit 11 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 12 is a storage area that stores various software and data used for executing the software, and is used as a working area for calculations. The memory 12 is composed of, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0026] The storage unit 13 is a storage area for storing input data for various software programs and output data from various software programs. The storage unit 13 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a semiconductor memory, etc., used for storing programs and various setting data. The storage unit 13 is provided with databases for storing various information, such as a user DB 131 in which user identification information is stored, and a manuscript DB 132 in which information on a manuscript to be read (hereinafter referred to as "manuscript information") is stored.

[0027] The communication unit 14 transmits and receives data between the user terminal 30 and the outside via the network 90. ​​The operation unit 15 is composed of, for example, a software keyboard, mechanical buttons, switches, etc., and accepts input operations. The operation unit 15 also includes a touch sensor that configures a touch panel integrally with the display unit 16. The display unit 16 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display used to display information, and displays images, text data, etc.

[0028] The reading unit 17 reads an image recorded on a medium such as paper (e.g., a paper document) as a recording medium. The reading unit 17 is composed of, for example, a CCD type scanner that reduces the reflected light of light irradiated from a light source onto an original document using a lens and receives the light with a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices), or a CIS type scanner that receives the reflected light of light irradiated in sequence from an LED light source onto an original document using a CIS (Contact Image Sensor). The reading unit 17 also reads information of an image displayed on the display unit 16 via a camera (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)).

[0029] The image forming unit 18 forms an image to be printed on a printing surface of a sheet of paper as a recording medium by, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method, etc. The sensor unit 19 is composed of various sensors such as a human sensor, an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, an optical sensor such as LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), a human sensor, and an acceleration sensor, and detects, for example, a document set in the image processing device 10.

[0030] <Hardware configuration of user terminal> The hardware configuration of the user terminal 30 is similar to the hardware configuration of the image processing device 10 shown in Fig. 2 except for the image forming unit 18 and the sensor unit 19. That is, the user terminal 30 is equipped with a control unit, a memory, a storage unit, a communication unit, an operation unit, a display unit, and a reading unit that have the same functions as the control unit 11, the memory 12, the storage unit 13, the communication unit 14, the operation unit 15, the display unit 16, and the reading unit 17, respectively, of Fig. 2, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

[0031] <Functional configuration of the control unit of the image processing device> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the control unit 11 of the image processing device 10. As shown in FIG. In the control unit 11 of the image processing device 10, an information management unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, a document set determination unit 103, a display control unit 104, a process control unit 105, a transmission control unit 106, and a number of sheets specification unit 107 function.

[0032] The information management unit 101 stores and manages various types of information in a database in the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2). For example, the information management unit 101 stores and manages user information in a user DB 131. The user information includes, for example, user identification information, and information capable of identifying the image processing device 10 that the user can use. The information management unit 101 also stores and manages document information in a document DB 132. The document information includes information such as the number of documents to be processed by the image processing device 10, the size of the document paper, and the like, which is set for each job.

[0033] The acquisition unit 102 acquires various information. For example, the acquisition unit 102 acquires various information transmitted from the user terminal 30. For example, the information transmitted from the user terminal 30 includes input information input to cause the image processing device 10 to execute various jobs. For example, the input information input to cause the image processing device 10 to execute various jobs includes information input to cause the image processing device 10 to execute a reading process.

[0034] The document set determination unit 103 determines whether or not a document to be read is set in the image processing device 10. The document set determination unit 103 determines whether or not a document is set based on, for example, a result of sensing by the sensor unit 19 (see FIG. 2).

[0035] The display control unit 104 performs control to display various kinds of information on the display unit 16 (see FIG. 2). For example, the display control unit 104 performs control to display a user interface on the display unit 16. The display control unit 104 also performs control to display various kinds of information on the display unit of the user terminal 30. For example, the display control unit 104 performs control to display the user interface displayed on the display unit 16 on the display unit of the user terminal 30 in a shared manner.

[0036] The display control unit 104 also controls the display unit of the user terminal 30 to display a message that a document has been set on the image processing device 10. The display control unit 104 also controls the display unit of the user terminal 30 to display a message that the user who set the document on the image processing device 10 is unidentified. The display control unit 104 also controls the display unit of the user terminal 30 to display user identification information, a message that the reading process has been stopped, a message that the reading process has been completed, and the like, which have been notified from the image processing device 10.

[0037] The process control unit 105 controls the image processing device 10 to execute a predetermined process. For example, the process control unit 105 controls the image processing device 10 to execute processes such as printing, copying, reading, and faxing, based on a request to execute a job from the user terminal 30. Furthermore, when the image processing device 10 is performing a reading process based on a request to execute a job from the user terminal 30, if the process control unit 105 detects that the number of originals when the originals were set differs from the number of originals counted in the reading process, the process control unit 105 stops the reading process.

[0038] The transmission control unit 106 performs control for transmitting various types of information via the communication unit 14 (see FIG. 2). For example, the transmission control unit 106 performs control for transmitting various types of information toward the user terminal 30. Examples of the information transmitted toward the user terminal 30 include control information for causing the user terminal 30 to execute various processes.

[0039] Examples of control information for causing the user terminal 30 to execute various processes include control information for shared display of the user interface displayed on the display unit 16 of the image processing device 10 on the display unit of the user terminal 30, control information for displaying a message that a document has been set on the image processing device 10, control information for displaying a message that the user who set the document on the image processing device 10 is unidentified, control information for displaying user identification information, and control information for displaying a message that the reading process has been stopped.

[0040] The number of sheets specifying unit 107 specifies, for each job, the number of sheets of the original when the original to be read is set in the image processing device 10. For example, the number of sheets specifying unit 107 specifies the number of sheets of the original when the original is set in the image processing device 10 by referring to the original information stored in the original DB 132 of the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2). The number of sheets specifying unit 107 also specifies, for each job, the number of sheets of the original counted by a counter in the reading process. The number of sheets specifying unit 107 also specifies the difference between the number of sheets of the original when the original is set in the image processing device 10, specified for each job of the reading process, and the number of sheets of the original counted by a counter in the reading process.

[0041] <Functional configuration of the control unit of the user terminal> FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the control unit of the user terminal 30. As shown in FIG. In the control section of the user terminal 30, an acquisition section 301, a transmission control section 302, and a display control section 303 function.

[0042] The acquisition unit 301 acquires various kinds of information. For example, the acquisition unit 301 acquires input information that is accepted by an operation unit of the user terminal 30. The acquisition unit 301 also acquires various kinds of information transmitted from the image processing device 10. Examples of the information transmitted from the image processing device 10 include control information for causing the user terminal 30 to execute various processes.

[0043] The transmission control unit 302 performs control for transmitting various kinds of information via the communication unit. For example, the transmission control unit 302 performs control for transmitting various kinds of information toward the image processing device 10. For example, information transmitted from the user terminal 30 to the image processing device 10 includes input information acquired by the acquisition unit 301. For example, input information acquired by the acquisition unit 301 and transmitted to the image processing device 10 includes input information input for executing a job.

[0044] The display control unit 303 performs control to display various information on the display unit. For example, the display control unit 303 performs control to display the user interface displayed on the display unit 16 (see FIG. 2) of the image processing device 10 on the display unit of the user terminal 30 in a shared manner. The display control unit 303 also performs control to display on the display unit a message that a document has been set on the image processing device 10. The display control unit 303 also performs control to display on the display unit a message that the user who set the document on the image processing device 10 is unidentified.

[0045] Furthermore, the display control unit 303 performs control to cause the display unit to display the user identification information notified from the image processing device 10. Furthermore, the display control unit 303 performs control to cause the display unit to display a message indicating that the reading process by the image processing device 10 has been stopped. Specifically, the display control unit 303 causes the display unit to display the information based on the control information from the image processing device 10 acquired by the acquisition unit 301.

[0046] <Processing flow of image processing device> Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the image processing device 10. Note that, in the example shown in Fig. 5, when an IC card, which is a medium associated with user identification information, is held up to the image processing device 10, the image processing device 10 reads the user identification information associated with the IC card. The image processing device 10 stores and manages user information and manuscript information in a database (step 501). Specifically, the image processing device 10 stores and manages user information including user identification information in a user DB 131 of the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2), and stores and manages manuscript information in a manuscript DB 132.

[0047] When a document to be read is set (YES in step 502), the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 that the document has been set and that the user is unspecified (step 503). On the other hand, when a document to be read is not set (NO in step 502), the image processing device 10 repeats the determination process in step 502 until a document to be read is set.

[0048] When the IC card is held up (YES in step 504), the image processing device 10 acquires the user identification information associated with the IC card (step 505) and proceeds to the determination process of step 506. On the other hand, when the IC card is not held up (NO in step 504), the image processing device 10 repeats the determination process of step 504 until the IC card is held up.

[0049] If a document to be read is set (YES in step 506), the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 of the user identification information acquired in step 505 (step 507), and proceeds to the judgment process of step 509. On the other hand, if a document to be read is not set (NO in step 506), the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 that the user is unidentified (step 508), and returns to the judgment process of step 502.

[0050] When an instruction to execute the reading process is transmitted from the user terminal 30 as a request to execute a job of the reading process (YES in step 509), the image processing device 10 acquires the instruction to execute the reading process and starts the reading process (step 510). Then, the process proceeds to the determination process of step 511. On the other hand, if an instruction to execute the reading process has not been transmitted (NO in step 509), the image processing device 10 repeats the determination process of step 509 until an instruction to execute the reading process is transmitted.

[0051] When the image processing device 10 detects that the number of originals is different (YES in step 511) after starting the reading process, it stops the reading process (step 512). Specifically, the image processing device 10 stops the reading process if the number of originals when the originals were set differs from the number of originals counted in the reading process. Having stopped the reading process, the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 of this (step 513). On the other hand, when the image processing device 10 does not detect that the number of originals is different (NO in step 511), it continues the reading process, and when the reading process is completed, it notifies the user terminal 30 of this (step 514).

[0052] <Processing flow on user terminal> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the user terminal 30. When the user terminal 30 is notified from the image processing device 10 that the document has been set and that the user is unspecified (YES in step 601), the user terminal 30 displays that the document has been set and that the user is unspecified (step 602). On the other hand, when the user terminal 30 is not notified that the document has been set and that the user is unspecified (NO in step 601), the user terminal 30 repeats the determination process in step 601 until the user terminal 30 is notified that the document has been set and that the user is unspecified.

[0053] When the user terminal 30 is notified of user identification information as a notification from the image processing device 10 (YES in step 603), it displays the user identification information (step 604) and proceeds to the decision processing in step 605. On the other hand, when the user identification information has not been notified (NO in step 603), the user terminal 30 repeats the decision processing in step 603 until the user identification information is notified.

[0054] When an input operation to instruct execution of a reading process is performed (YES in step 605), the user terminal 30 transmits input information to instruct execution of a reading process to the image processing device 10 (step 606), and proceeds to the determination process of step 607. On the other hand, when an input operation to instruct execution of a reading process is not performed (NO in step 605), the user terminal 30 repeats the determination process of step 605 until an input operation to instruct execution of a reading process is performed.

[0055] When the user terminal 30 is notified from the image processing device 10 that the reading process has been stopped (YES in step 607), it displays that the reading process has been stopped (step 608). On the other hand, when the user terminal 30 is notified that the reading process has been stopped (NO in step 607) but is notified that the reading process has been completed (YES in step 609), it displays that the reading process has been completed (step 610). When the user terminal 30 is not notified that the reading process has been stopped (NO in step 607) or that the reading process has been completed (NO in step 609), it repeats the judgment processing in steps 607 and 609 until it is notified that the reading process has been stopped or that the reading process has been completed.

[0056] <Example> 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the relationship between a first user 21 who instructs the image processing device 10 to execute a reading process by remotely operating the image processing device 10 from a user terminal 30, a second user 22 who receives a request from the first user 21 and sets a document to be read in the image processing device 10, and a third user 23 who instructs the image processing device 10 to execute a reading process by directly operating the image processing device 10. Note that all of the examples shown in Figs. 7 to 11 are configured such that when an IC card as a medium associated with user identification information is held over the image processing device 10, the image processing device 10 reads the user identification information associated with the IC card.

[0057] 7, based on a request from a first user 21 who is located away from the image processing device 10, a second user 22 sets a document to be read by the image processing device 10 in the image processing device 10 and holds an IC card 40 over the image processing device 10. The image processing device 10 then reads the user identification information of the second user 22 from the held-up IC card 40 and notifies the user terminal 30 of the user identification information.

[0058] The user terminal 30 that has been notified of the user identification information displays the user identification information. The first user 21 confirms the user who placed the document in the image processing device 10 from the user identification information displayed on the user terminal 30. At this time, the user identification information displayed on the user terminal 30 may be the user identification information itself, or may be information that allows the user to be identified at a glance, such as the user's name that is associated in advance with the user identification information.

[0059] The first user 21, who has confirmed that the user who set the document in the image processing device 10 is the second user 22, issues an instruction (scan start instruction) to cause the image processing device 10 to execute a reading process. Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 7, the first user 21 confirms before a document set by a third user 23 not requested by the first user 21 is erroneously read. Therefore, the third user 23 cannot cause the image processing device 10 to execute a reading process (scanning is not possible).

[0060] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of processing when second user 22, who has set an original on image processing device 10 based on a request from a first user, resets the original. 8, based on a request ((1) Request to Set Document) from a first user 21 who is in a location distant from the image processing device 10, a second user 22 sets a document to be read by the image processing device 10 in the image processing device 10 ((2) Set Document). The image processing device 10 then notifies the user terminal 30 that the document has been set and that the user is unidentified ((3) Unidentified User Notification).

[0061] Next, when the second user 22 holds the IC card 40 toward the image processing device 10 ((4) Hold), the image processing device 10 reads the user identification information of the second user 22 from the held IC card 40 and notifies the user terminal 30 of the user identification information ((5) User Identification Notification).

[0062] Here, when the second user 22 realizes that the number of documents set in the image processing device 10 is insufficient and removes the documents from the image processing device 10 ((6) Remove Documents), the image processing device 10 detects that the documents have been removed and notifies the user terminal 30 that the user is unidentified ((7) Unidentified User Notification). This notification is to inform the first user 21 that the user identification information has been cancelled.

[0063] When the second user 22 sets a document on the image processing device 10 again ((8) Document Set), the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 that the document has been set and that the user is unidentified ((9) User Unidentified Notification). Next, when the second user 22 holds the IC card 40 over the image processing device 10 ((10) Hold), the image processing device 10 reads the user identification information of the second user 22 from the held up IC card 40 and notifies the user terminal 30 of the user identification information ((11) User Identification Notification).

[0064] The first user 21 who has been notified of the user identification information confirms, based on the user identification information, that the user who set the document in the image processing device 10 is the second user 22 whom he / she requested ((12) Confirm the user who set the document). Then, the first user 21 operates the user terminal 30 to instruct execution of the reading process ((13) Instruct to start scanning).

[0065] 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of processing when a second user 22 requested by a first user and a third user 23, who is a third party, each place a document on the image processing device 10 and hold an IC card over it. In the example of FIG. 9, it is assumed that the third user 23 causes the image processing device 10 to execute a copy process. A first user 21 who is located away from the image processing device 10 requests a second user 22 to set a document to be read by the image processing device 10 ((1) Request to set document). Then, before the second user 22 sets the document on the image processing device 10, a third user 23, who is a third party, holds an IC card 40 over the image processing device 10 ((2) Hold), and the following process is carried out.

[0066] That is, since no document is set in the image processing device 10, the image processing device 10 does not notify the user terminal 30 of anything ((3) No notification). Here, when the second user 22 sets the document requested by the first user 21 in the image processing device 10 ((4) Document set), the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 that the document has been set and that the user is unidentified ((5) Unidentified user notification).

[0067] Next, when the second user 22 holds the IC card 40 towards the image processing device 10 ((6) Hold), the image processing device 10 reads the user identification information of the second user 22 from the held IC card 40 and notifies the user terminal 30 of the user identification information ((7) User Identification Notification). Now, when the third user 23 holds the IC card 40 towards the image processing device 10 ((8) Hold), the image processing device 10 reads the user identification information of the third user 23 from the held IC card 40 and notifies the user terminal 30 of the user identification information ((9) User Identification Notification).

[0068] Then, when the third user 23 removes the document set by the second user 22 in order to have the image processing device 10 perform a copy process of his / her own document ((10) Remove Document), the image processing device 10 detects that the document has been removed and notifies the user terminal 30 that the user is unidentified ((11) Notify Unidentified User). Then, when the third user 23 sets a document in the image processing device 10 ((12) Set Document) and has the image processing device 10 perform a copy process, the image processing device 10 performs the copy process ((13) Make Copy).

[0069] The first user 21 requests the second user 22 to set the document again ((14) Request to set document), and when the second user 22 sets the document ((15) Set document), the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 that the document has been set and that the user is unidentified ((16) Notification that user is unidentified). Next, when the second user 22 holds up the IC card 40 towards the image processing device 10 ((17) Hold up), the image processing device 10 reads the user identification information of the second user 22 from the held up IC card 40 and notifies the user terminal 30 of the user identification information ((18) Notification that user is identified).

[0070] The first user 21 who has been notified of the user identification information confirms, based on the user identification information, that the user who set the document in the image processing device 10 is the second user 22 whom he / she requested ((19) Confirm user who set document). Then, the first user 21 operates the user terminal 30 to instruct execution of the reading process ((20) Instruct to start scanning).

[0071] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of information displayed on the user terminal 30 when a plurality of users place documents on the image processing device 10. In FIG. When a second user 22 receives a request from a first user (not shown) located away from the image processing device 10 to set a document to be read by the image processing device 10, the second user 22 sets the document on the image processing device 10 ((1) Document Set), the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 that the document has been set and that the user is unidentified ((2) User Unidentified Notification).

[0072] Next, when the second user 22 holds the IC card 40 toward the image processing device 10 ((3) Hold), the image processing device 10 reads the user identification information of the second user 22 from the held IC card 40 and notifies the user terminal 30 of the user identification information ((4) User Identification Notification).

[0073] Next, when the third user 23 sets a document on the image processing device 10 ((5) Set Document), the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 that the document has been set and that the user is unidentified ((6) Unidentified User Notification). Next, when the third user 23 holds up the IC card 40 towards the image processing device 10 ((7) Hold Up), the image processing device 10 reads the user identification information of the third user 23 from the held up IC card 40 and notifies the user terminal 30 of the user identification information ((8) User Identification Notification).

[0074] Next, when the fourth user 24 sets an original on the image processing device 10 ((9) Set Original), the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 that the original has been set and that the user is unidentified ((10) Unidentified User Notification). After that, assume that the fourth user 24 does not hold up the IC card ((11) Do not hold up).

[0075] When the user terminal 30 acquires the user identification information of the user who has set the document in the image processing device 10, the user terminal 30 displays the user identification information. For example, if the user identification information is set to display a name, the name of the user who has set the document is displayed on the user terminal 30.

[0076] 10, the screen of the user terminal 30 displays that the name of the user (second user 22) who set the document the first time is "XX" and that the name of the user (third user 23) who set the document the second time is "△△." However, since the user (fourth user 24) who set the document the third time did not hold up an IC card as described above, although the fact that a document has been set in the image processing device 10 is displayed on the user terminal 30, the name cannot be identified and is displayed blank.

[0077] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example in which a second user 22, who has set documents in the image processing device 10 at the request of a first user 21, inputs the number of documents set as a direct operation on the image processing device 10. When the second user 22 shown in FIG. 11 sets a document to be read by the image processing device 10 ((2) document set) in the image processing device 10 based on a request ((1) document set request) from the first user 21 who is located away from the image processing device 10, the image processing device 10 notifies the user terminal 30 that the document has been set and that the user is unidentified ((3) user unidentified notification).

[0078] Next, the second user 22 holds the IC card 40 towards the image processing device 10 ((4) Hold) and inputs the number of original documents set in the image processing device 10 ((5) Input number of original documents). The image processing device 10 then reads the user identification information of the second user 22 from the held IC card 40 and notifies the user terminal 30 of the number of original documents set by the second user 22 together with the user identification information ((6) User identification notification).

[0079] Now, suppose that the third user 23 removes a part of the document set in the image processing device 10 for some reason ((7) Removal). In this case, unlike the case where all of the document is removed as in the examples of Figs. 8 and 9 described above, at least one document remains set in the image processing device 10, and the removal of the document is not detected. As a result, the image processing device 10 does not notify the user terminal 30 that the user is unidentified.

[0080] The first user 21, who has still been notified of the user identification information, confirms based on the user identification information that the user who set the document in the image processing device 10 is the second user 22 whom he / she requested ((8) Confirm user who set document). The first user 21 then operates the user terminal 30 to instruct the execution of a reading process ((9) Instruct to start scanning). The user terminal 30 then requests the image processing device 10 to execute a reading process job ((10) Request to start scanning), and the image processing device 10 starts the reading process. That is, the reading process is started on the document with a portion removed.

[0081] After starting the reading process, the image processing device 10 compares the number of sheets of the document when the document was set with the number of sheets of the document counted in the reading process ((11) Compare Numbers). If there is no problem with the comparison result, the reading process is continued, and if there is no problem with the comparison result, the reading process is stopped ((12) Continue or Stop). In the example of FIG. 11, because part of the document has been removed by the third user 23, the number of sheets of the document when the document was set differs from the number of sheets of the document counted in the reading process, and the reading process is stopped.

[0082] <Other embodiments> Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. Moreover, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the configuration of the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the hardware configuration of the image processing device 10 shown in FIG. 2 are merely examples for achieving the object of the present invention, and are not particularly limited. Moreover, the functional configuration of the image processing device 10 shown in FIG. 3 and the functional configuration of the user terminal 30 shown in FIG. 4 are also merely examples, and are not particularly limited. It is sufficient that the information processing system 1 of FIG. 1 has a function capable of executing the above-mentioned processing as a whole, and the functional configuration used to realize this function is not limited to the examples of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[0083] In addition, the order of each step of the process of the image processing device 10 shown in Fig. 5 and the process of the user terminal 30 shown in Fig. 6 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. The process is not limited to the process performed in chronological order according to the order of the steps shown in the figure, and may be performed in parallel or individually without necessarily being processed in chronological order. In addition, the specific examples shown in Figs. 7 to 11 are also merely examples and are not particularly limited.

[0084] (Additional Note) (((1))) one or more processors; The one or more processors: When an original to be read by an image processing device remotely connected to a terminal is set in the image processing device, the terminal is notified of the fact and of the fact that the user who set the original cannot be identified; When the image processing device acquires specific information for identifying the user, if the document is set in the image processing device, the specific information is notified to the terminal. Information processing system. (((2))) The specific information is information provided to the image processing device by a direct operation of the user on the image processing device. An information processing system according to (((1))). (((3))) The direct operation by the user is an operation of causing the image processing device to read the specific information associated with a predetermined medium, or an operation of inputting the specific information into a user interface of the image processing device. The information processing system according to (((2))). (((4))) the one or more processors, when an instruction to execute the reading process is given from the terminal to the image processing device, cause the image processing device to start the reading process. 13. An information processing system according to any one of ((1)) to ((3))). (((5))) When the document set in the image processing device is removed before the instruction is given, the one or more processors notify the terminal of the removal. The information processing system according to (((4))). (((6))) the one or more processors stop the reading process when the number of sheets of the document when the document is set in the image processing device differs from the number of sheets of the document counted in the reading process. The information processing system according to (((4))). (((7))) The one or more processors specify the number of pages of the document when the document is set in the image processing device based on information regarding the number of pages of the document provided in advance from the user or the terminal. An information processing system according to any one of ((4)) to ((6)). (((8))) the one or more processors notify the terminal that the reading process by the image processing device has been stopped. 13. An information processing system according to any one of ((4))) to (((7))). (((9))) On the computer, a function of notifying the terminal when a document to be read by an image processing device remotely connected to the terminal is set in the image processing device and that the user who set the document cannot be identified; a function of notifying the terminal of the specific information when the image processing device acquires specific information for identifying the user and the document is set in the image processing device; A program to achieve this.

[0085] According to the present invention (((1))), when a document is set to be read by an image processing device remotely connected to a terminal, the terminal is notified of this fact and that the user who set the document cannot be identified. This allows the user remotely operating the image processing device to confirm that the document has been set. Then, when the image processing device acquires specific information for identifying the user, if a document has been set in the image processing device, the terminal is notified of the specific information. This allows the user remotely operating the image processing device to issue an instruction to execute a read process after confirming who the user who set the document is. As a result, reading of a document unintended by the user remotely operating the image processing device is suppressed. According to the present invention (((2))), when a user who has placed a document on an image processing device directly operates the image processing device, specific information is provided to the image processing device. This makes it possible to estimate that the user identified from the specific information is the user who placed the document on the image processing device. According to the present invention (((3))), it is possible to estimate that a user identified from specific information obtained by an operation of having an image processing device read specific information associated with a predetermined medium, or an operation of inputting the specific information into a user interface of the image processing device, is the user who set a document in the image processing device. According to the present invention (((4))), the reading process is started in response to an instruction to execute the reading process from a remotely connected terminal to the image processing device. This allows a user remotely operating the image processing device to issue an instruction to execute the reading process after confirming who the user who set the document is. As a result, reading of a document unintended by the user remotely operating the image processing device is prevented. According to the present invention (((5))), when the document set in the image processing device is removed before an instruction to execute the reading process is given, the terminal is notified of the removal. This allows a user remotely operating the image processing device to check whether a document has been set before giving an instruction to execute the reading process. According to the present invention (((6))), if the number of sheets of the document when the document is set in the image processing device differs from the number of sheets of the document counted in the reading process, the reading process is stopped. This prevents the reading of a document that is not intended by the user remotely operating the image processing device, such as a document that has been partially removed after the reading process has started, or a document that was already missing or overlapping when it was set. According to the present invention (((7))), the number of original sheets when the original is set is determined based on information regarding the number of original sheets provided in advance by a user or a terminal, so that it becomes possible to compare the regular number of original sheets with the number of sheets actually read. According to the present invention (((8))), a notification is sent to the terminal that the reading process has been stopped because the number of documents when the documents were set in the image processing device differs from the number of documents counted in the reading process. This allows a user remotely operating the image processing device to know that a reading process for a document that is not intended by the user has been stopped before the process is completed. According to the present invention (((9))), when a document is set to be read by an image processing device remotely connected to a terminal, the terminal is notified of this fact and that the user who set the document cannot be identified. This allows the user remotely operating the image processing device to confirm that the document has been set. Then, when the image processing device acquires specific information for identifying the user, if a document has been set in the image processing device, the terminal is notified of the specific information. This allows the user remotely operating the image processing device to issue an instruction to execute a read process after confirming who the user who set the document is. As a result, reading of a document unintended by the user remotely operating the image processing device is suppressed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1...information processing system, 10...image processing device, 11...control unit, 30...user terminal, 90...network, 101...information management unit, 102...acquisition unit, 103...original set determination unit, 104...display control unit, 105...processing control unit, 106...transmission control unit, 106...number of sheets determination unit, 301...acquisition unit, 302...transmission control unit, 303...display control unit

Claims

1. One or more processors; The one or more processors: When an original to be read by an image processing device remotely connected to a terminal is set in the image processing device, the terminal is notified of the fact and of the fact that the user who set the original cannot be identified; When the image processing device acquires specific information for identifying the user, if the document is set in the image processing device, the specific information is notified to the terminal. Information processing system.

2. The specific information is information provided to the image processing device by a direct operation of the user on the image processing device. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The direct operation by the user is an operation of causing the image processing device to read the specific information associated with a predetermined medium, or an operation of inputting the specific information into a user interface of the image processing device. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. the one or more processors, when an instruction to execute the reading process is given from the terminal to the image processing device, cause the image processing device to start the reading process. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. the one or more processors notify the terminal when the document set in the image processing device is removed before the instruction is issued, 5. The information processing system according to claim 4.

6. the one or more processors stop the reading process when the number of sheets of the document when the document is set in the image processing device differs from the number of sheets of the document counted in the reading process.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4.

7. The one or more processors specify the number of pages of the document when the document is set in the image processing device based on information regarding the number of pages of the document provided in advance from the user or the terminal.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6.

8. the one or more processors notify the terminal that the reading process by the image processing device has been stopped.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6.

9. On the computer, a function of notifying the terminal when a document to be read by an image processing device remotely connected to the terminal is set in the image processing device and that the user who set the document cannot be identified; a function of notifying the terminal of the specific information when the image processing device acquires specific information for identifying the user and the document is set in the image processing device; A program to achieve this.

Images