Setting system, setting program, information processing system, and computer

Abstract

To provide a setting system, a setting program, and an information processing system that can reduce a possibility of the presence of an electronic apparatus that displays an inappropriate operation screen.SOLUTION: A setting system 70 setting an operation screen in an image forming apparatus 20 manages the image forming apparatus 20 and a layout of the operation screen in association with each other. The operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system executing a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system executing authentication and authorization of a user of the image forming apparatus 20, and a button associated with a function of the image forming apparatus 20. When receiving a request for a layout from the image forming apparatus 20 (S188), the setting system transmits the layout associated with the image forming apparatus 20 to the image forming apparatus 20 (S189-S190).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a setting system for setting an operation screen in an electronic device, a setting program, and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional electronic device, an image forming apparatus capable of customizing an operation screen is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-124605 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional electronic devices, when a large number of electronic devices are managed by an administrator, there is a possibility that the administrator may overlook electronic devices that display operation screens that are not properly customized, resulting in a problem that electronic devices may exist that display operation screens that are not properly customized.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a setting system, a setting program, and an information processing system that can reduce the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The setting system of the present invention is a setting system that sets an operation screen in an electronic device, and is characterized in that it manages the electronic device in association with the layout of the operation screen, and when the layout is requested by the electronic device, it transmits the layout associated with this electronic device to the electronic device.

[0007] With this configuration, when a layout is requested from an electronic device, the setting system of the present invention sends the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device, so that the operation screen displayed by the electronic device can be checked on the setting system without the administrator of the electronic device having to check each electronic device on the electronic device.As a result, even when a large number of electronic devices are managed by an administrator, the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

[0008] When the setting system of the present invention receives a reservation to install a program for requesting the layout from the setting system into the electronic device at a specific timing, the setting system may install the program into the electronic device when the specific timing arrives.

[0009] With this configuration, the setting system of the present invention installs a program for requesting a layout from the setting system into an electronic device at a scheduled time, thereby reducing the burden on the administrator of the electronic device to manage the installation status of this program into the electronic device.

[0010] The setting system of the present invention may, when the specific timing arrives, install the program that is the subject of the reservation only in the electronic device where the program is not installed or where an older version of the program than the program that is the subject of the reservation is installed.

[0011] With this configuration, the setting system of the present invention installs the reserved program only in electronic devices that do not have a program for requesting a layout from the setting system installed, or that have an older version of a program than the reserved program installed, thereby reducing the possibility of downtime caused by unnecessary installations in the electronic devices.

[0012] The setting program of the present invention is a setting program for setting an operation screen in an electronic device, which has a computer manage the electronic device in association with the layout of the operation screen, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device to the computer, has the layout associated with the electronic device transmitted to the computer.

[0013] With this configuration, when a layout is requested from an electronic device, the computer executing the setting program of the present invention sends the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device. This allows the administrator of the electronic device to check the operation screen displayed by the electronic device on the setting system without having to check each electronic device on the electronic device. As a result, even when a large number of electronic devices are managed by the administrator, the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

[0014] The information processing system of the present invention comprises an electronic device and a setting system that sets an operation screen in the electronic device, the setting system managing the electronic device in association with the layout of the operation screen, the electronic device requesting the layout from the setting system, the setting system transmitting the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device when the layout is requested from the electronic device, and the electronic device displaying the operation screen according to the layout received from the setting system.

[0015] With this configuration, in the information processing system of the present invention, when an electronic device requests a layout from the setting system, the setting system sends the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device, so that the operation screen displayed by the electronic device can be checked on the setting system without the administrator of the electronic device having to check each electronic device on the electronic device.As a result, even when a large number of electronic devices are managed by an administrator, the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The setting system, setting program, and information processing system of the present invention can reduce the possibility that an electronic device will display an inappropriate operation screen. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when configured as an MFP. [Diagram 3] 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit by a client application shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a user terminal shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the setting system shown in FIG. 1 when configured by one computer. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of device information shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of layout management information shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 in the case where information on a new image forming apparatus is added to device information. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 when displaying a device list. [Figure 10] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a device list displayed on the user terminal shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 when a client application program is installed in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 in the case where the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus is saved. [Figure 13]2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation-screen editing screen displayed on a display unit of the user terminal shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 14] 1 when a user logs in to an image forming apparatus using a combination of a user name and a password. FIG. [Figure 15] 1 when the image forming apparatus uses a ticket transmitted from the user information holding system to utilize the document processing flow execution system. FIG. [Figure 16] 1 when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus using a PIN code. FIG. [Figure 17] 1 when the image forming apparatus uses a ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system to utilize the document processing flow execution system. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] First, a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0021] 1, an information processing system 10 includes an image forming apparatus 20 as an electronic device. In addition to the image forming apparatus 20, the information processing system 10 may include at least one other image forming apparatus having a similar configuration to the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus in the information processing system 10 is configured, for example, by an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) or a dedicated printer.

[0022] The information processing system 10 includes a user terminal 30 used by a user. In addition to the user terminal 30, the information processing system 10 may include at least one other user terminal having a similar configuration to the user terminal 30. The user terminal in the information processing system 10 is configured by a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), for example.

[0023] The information processing system 10 includes a document processing flow execution system 40 that executes a document processing flow as a workflow for processing a document. The document processing flow execution system 40 may be configured by one computer or may be configured by multiple computers. The document processing flow executed by the document processing flow execution system 40 is configured by an input stage where a document is input, a document processing stage where various processes are executed on the document input in the input stage, and an output stage where the results of the process in the document processing stage are output. There are various methods for inputting a document in the input stage, such as a method of inputting an image read from a manuscript by a scanner of an image forming device as a document, a method of inputting a document placed in a specific folder, and a method of inputting a document attached to a received e-mail. There are various processes for processing a document in the document processing stage, such as an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) process that generates text from an image as a document, a ZoneOCR process that generates text from a part of an image as a document, a process of executing specific image processes such as tilt correction, dot removal, and noise removal on an image as a document, and a process of converting the format of an image as a document. There are various methods for outputting the processing results in the output stage, such as outputting to a specific folder, sending to a specific destination by email, etc. The document processing flow execution system 40 is capable of saving multiple document processing flows.

[0024] The information processing system 10 can include an authentication and authorization system 50 that performs authentication and authorization of users of the information processing system 10. The authentication and authorization system 50 may be configured with one computer or multiple computers. The authentication and authorization system 50 manages restrictions on the use of various functions of the image forming apparatus for each user, and can provide authorization information indicating restrictions on the use of various functions of the image forming apparatus for an authenticated user, i.e., a user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus, to the image forming apparatus and the document processing flow execution system 40. The authentication and authorization system 50 can, for example, spool print data transmitted from a user terminal, and output the spooled print data to any of the image forming apparatuses. The authentication and authorization system 50 can also manage the use of the image forming apparatus by users of the information processing system 10. The authentication and authorization system 50 can register an IC (Integrated Circuit) card ID for each user.

[0025] The information processing system 10 can be equipped with a user information holding system 60 that holds information on users of the information processing system 10. The user information holding system 60 may be configured with one computer or may be configured with multiple computers. The user information holding system 60 can also hold information used in a system other than either the document processing flow execution system 40 or the authentication / authorization system 50.

[0026] The information processing system 10 can include a setting system 70 that sets an operation screen in the image forming apparatus. The setting system 70 may be configured with one computer or multiple computers.

[0027] The image forming device in the information processing system 10, the user terminal in the information processing system 10, the document processing flow execution system 40, the authentication and authorization system 50, the user information retention system 60, and the setting system 70 can be communicatively connected via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 20 when configured as an MFP.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 20 is a computer that includes an operation unit 21 which is an input device such as buttons through which various operations are input, a display unit 22 which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information, a printer 23 which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 24 which is a reading device that reads images from a document, a fax communication unit 25 which is a fax device that performs fax communication with an external facsimile machine (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line, a communication unit 26 which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without using a network, a memory unit 27 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information, and a control unit 28 which controls the entire image forming apparatus 20.

[0030] The storage unit 27 can store a client application program 27a as an application program for providing a user with the functions of the image forming apparatus 20, the document processing flow execution system 40 (see FIG. 1), and the authentication and authorization system 50 (see FIG. 1). The client application program 27a may be installed in the image forming apparatus 20 during the manufacturing stage of the image forming apparatus 20, or may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 20 from an external storage medium such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, or may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 20 from a network.

[0031] The storage unit 27 can store an application program 27b different from the client application program 27a. The storage unit 27 can store at least one application program different from the client application program 27a, other than the application program 27b.

[0032] Only one application program can be installed in the image forming apparatus 20, and when installed, there are an extended authentication application program that is started first when the image forming apparatus 20 is started and displays an authentication screen on the display unit 22, and an extended application program that is an application program other than the extended authentication application program. The client application program 27a is an extended authentication application program.

[0033] The storage unit 27 can store login method information 27c indicating a login method on the authentication screen of the image forming apparatus 20. The login method information 27c indicates any one of a method of logging in using a combination of a user name and a password, a method of logging in using a PIN (Personal Identification Number) code, a method of logging in using an IC card ID, and a combination of these methods.

[0034] The control unit 28 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a volatile storage device used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 28. The CPU of the control unit 28 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 27 or the ROM of the control unit 28.

[0035] The control unit 28 realizes the client application 28a by executing the client application program 27a. The client application 28a can restrict the use of various functions of the image forming apparatus 20, such as "scanning" which is reading an image from a document by the scanner 24, "print output" which prints various images, such as images based on print data received via the communication unit 26, on a recording medium by the printer 23, "copying" which prints an image read from a document by the scanner 24 on a recording medium by the printer 23, "fax transmission" which transmits an image read from a document by the scanner 24 by fax communication unit 25, and "scan transmission" which transmits an image read from a document by the scanner 24 by fax communication unit 25, according to authorization information acquired from the authentication and authorization system 50.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen 80 displayed on the display unit 22 (see FIG. 2) by the client application 28a (see FIG. 2).

[0037] 3, buttons associated with functions of the image forming apparatus 20 (see FIG. 1), the document processing flow execution system 40 (see FIG. 1), or the authentication and authorization system 50 (see FIG. 1) are arranged. When a button arranged on the operation screen 80 is tapped, the client application 28a can use a function associated with the button. Each of the buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 is composed of an icon image 80a, a background 80b of the icon image 80a, and a character string 80c arranged below the icon image 80a.

[0038] The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a "workflow A" button 81a as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow A, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40, a "workflow B" button 81b as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow B, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40, a "workflow C" button 81c as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow C, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40, and a "workflow D" button 81d as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow D, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40. The "workflow A" button 81a, the "workflow B" button 81b, the "workflow C" button 81c, and the "workflow D" button 81d are buttons with which the functions of the document processing flow execution system 40 are associated.

[0039] The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a "Print All" button 82a for causing the printer 23 to print based on all print data of the user currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 20 that is spooled in the authentication and authorization system 50, a "My Jobs" button 82b for causing the printer 23 to print based on print data selected by the user each time from the print data of the user currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 20 that is spooled in the authentication and authorization system 50, and a "Register IC Card" button 82c for registering the ID of the IC card of the user currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 20 in the authentication and authorization system 50. The "Print All" button 82a, the "My Jobs" button 82b and the "Register IC Card" button 82c are buttons associated with functions of the authentication and authorization system 50.

[0040] The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a “Copy” button 83a for executing a copy with settings corresponding to values ​​specified by the user each time, a “Send” button 83b for executing a scan transmission with settings corresponding to values ​​specified by the user each time, a “Fax” button 83c for executing a fax transmission with settings corresponding to values ​​specified by the user each time, a “Custom Box” button 83d for saving an image read from a document by the scanner 24 in a specific area on the storage unit 27 and printing the image saved in this area by the printer 23, a “Job Box” button 83e for saving data received from an external electronic device such as a PC in a specific area on the storage unit 27 and executing printing based on the data saved in this area, a “USB” button 83f for saving an image read from a document by the scanner 24 in a USB memory connected to the image forming apparatus 20 and executing printing based on the data saved in the USB memory connected to the image forming apparatus 20, and an “Application” button 83g for executing a specific application program other than the client application program 27a installed in the image forming apparatus 20. The "Copy" button 83a, the "Send" button 83b, the "Fax" button 83c, the "Custom Box" button 83d, the "Job Box" button 83e, the "USB" button 83f and the "Application" button 83g are buttons associated with functions of the image forming apparatus 20.

[0041] In addition to the "Copy" button 83a, "Send" button 83b, "Fax" button 83c, "Custom Box" button 83d, "Job Box" button 83e, "USB" button 83f, and "Application" button 83g, other buttons associated with functions of the image forming device 20 include, for example, a "Scan" button for performing a scan with settings according to values ​​specified by the user each time, a "Quick Copy" button for immediately performing a copy with settings according to pre-specified values, a "Quick Scan" button for immediately performing a scan with settings according to pre-specified values, and a "Quick Fax" button for immediately performing a fax transmission with settings according to pre-specified values.

[0042] The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a "folder" button 84a for transitioning to an operation screen one hierarchical level below the operation screen 80. The operation screen transitioned to by tapping the "folder" button 84a may have buttons arranged thereon associated with at least one function of the image forming apparatus 20, the document processing flow execution system 40, and the authentication / authorization system 50, similar to the operation screen 80.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the user terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the user terminal 30 comprises an operation unit 31 which is an operating device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input, a display unit 32 which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a communication unit 33 which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wired or wireless means without going through a network, a memory unit 34 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 35 which controls the entire user terminal 30.

[0045] The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a volatile storage device used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 35. The CPU of the control unit 35 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 34 or the ROM of the control unit 35.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the setting system 70 when configured by one computer.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the setting system 70 includes an operation unit 71 which is an operating device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input, a display unit 72 which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a communication unit 73 which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without using a network, a memory unit 74 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 75 which controls the entire setting system 70.

[0048] The storage unit 74 stores a setting program 74a for setting a client application program of the image forming apparatus. The setting program 74a may be installed in the setting system 70 during the manufacturing stage of the setting system 70, or may be additionally installed in the setting system 70 from an external storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the setting system 70 from a network.

[0049] The storage unit 74 is capable of storing device information 74b, which is information on the image forming apparatus managed by a setting tool 75a, which will be described later.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the device information 74b.

[0051] The device information 74b shown in FIG. 6 includes, for each image forming device, a product name, a host name, an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a serial ID which is identification information of the image forming device, and a MAC (Media Access Control) address which is identification information of the image forming device.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 74 can store a client application program 74c to be installed in the image forming apparatus.

[0053] The storage unit 74 can store a layout 74d of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. The storage unit 74 can store at least one other layout of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus other than the layout 74d.

[0054] The storage unit 74 is capable of storing layout management information 74e for managing the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the layout management information 74e.

[0056] Layout management information 74e shown in Fig. 7 shows, for each image forming device, the identification information of the image forming device and the layout applied to the image forming device in association with each other. Note that in Fig. 7, "Device a", "Device b", "Device c", etc. are described as the identification information of the image forming device. However, the identification information of the image forming device is actually at least one of the serial ID and the MAC address of the image forming device, for example.

[0057] 5, the control unit 75 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a volatile storage device used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 75. The CPU of the control unit 75 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 74 or the ROM of the control unit 75.

[0058] The control unit 75 executes the setting program 74a to implement a setting tool 75a. The setting tool 75a can install a client application program in the image forming apparatus.

[0059] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 will be described.

[0060] First, the operation of the setting system 70 when adding information about a new image forming device to the device information 74b will be described.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting system 70 when information on a new image forming device is added to the device information 74b.

[0062] After logging in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, the administrator of the image forming device can input an instruction to add information of a new image forming device to the device information 74b (hereinafter referred to as an "information addition instruction") to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. Note that the administrator of the image forming device includes at least one of the IP address and the host name of the image forming device (hereinafter referred to as an "information addition request device") for which the administrator wishes to add information to the device information 74b in the information addition instruction. Upon receiving the information addition instruction, the setting tool 75a executes the operation shown in FIG. 8.

[0063] 8, the setting tool 75a acquires the product name, host name, IP address, serial ID, and MAC address of the information addition requesting device from the information addition requesting device (S101). Here, the setting tool 75a accesses the information addition requesting device using at least one of the IP address and the host name of the information addition requesting device that were included in the information addition instruction.

[0064] After the process of S101, the setting tool 75a stores the information acquired in S101 in the device information 74b (S102), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0065] Next, the operation of the setting system 70 when displaying a list of image forming apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as a "device list") managed by the setting tool 75a will be described.

[0066] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting system 70 when displaying a list of devices.

[0067] An administrator of the image forming apparatus can log in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, and then input an instruction to display a list of devices (hereinafter referred to as a "list display instruction") to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. When the setting tool 75a accepts the list display instruction, it executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0068] 9, the setting tool 75a acquires the versions of the client application programs installed in the image forming apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as "installed versions") from all image forming apparatuses managed by the setting tool 75a itself (S121). Here, the setting tool 75a accesses the image forming apparatuses using at least one of the IP addresses and host names of the image forming apparatuses included in the device information 74b.

[0069] After the process of S121, the setting tool 75a transmits a device list including the information acquired in S121 to the user terminal that has sent the list display instruction (S122), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0070] When the device list is transmitted from the setting tool 75a in S122, the user terminal displays the device list transmitted from the setting tool 75a on the display unit of the user terminal.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a device list displayed on a user terminal.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 10, the device list includes the product name, host name, IP address, serial ID, MAC address, and installed version for each image forming device. Note that in the device list shown in Fig. 10, an image forming device with a value of "None" in the installed version column is an image forming device in which a client application program is not installed.

[0073] Next, the operation of the setting system 70 when installing a client application program in the image forming apparatus will be described.

[0074] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting system 70 when a client application program is installed in an image forming apparatus.

[0075] An administrator of the image forming apparatus can log in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, and then upload a client application program to be installed in the image forming apparatus to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. When the client application program is uploaded, the setting tool 75a executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 11, the setting tool 75a stores the uploaded client application program in the storage unit 74 as a client application program 74c (S141).

[0077] Next, the setting tool 75a judges whether or not an installation reservation instruction has been received until it is judged that an instruction to reserve the installation of the client application program in the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an "installation reservation instruction") has been received (S142). Here, the administrator of the image forming apparatus can input the installation reservation instruction to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. The administrator of the image forming apparatus can specify, in the installation reservation instruction, for example, any one of immediately, a specific date and time specified by the administrator of the image forming apparatus, a specific time of day every day specified by the administrator of the image forming apparatus, a specific day of the week every week specified by the administrator of the image forming apparatus, or a specific date of the month specified by the administrator of the image forming apparatus as the timing of installation of the client application program in the image forming apparatus.

[0078] When the setting tool 75a determines in S142 that the installation reservation instruction has been accepted, the setting tool 75a reserves the installation of the client application program in the image forming apparatus at the timing included in the installation reservation instruction (S143).

[0079] After the process of S143, the setting tool 75a judges whether the time reserved in S143 has arrived or not (S144) until it is judged that the time reserved in S143 has arrived.

[0080] When the setting tool 75a determines in S144 that the time reserved in S143 has arrived, it acquires the installed versions of the client application programs of the image forming devices from all image forming devices managed by the setting tool 75a itself (S145). Here, the setting tool 75a accesses the image forming devices using at least one of the IP addresses and host names of the image forming devices included in the device information 74b.

[0081] Next, the setting tool 75a identifies image forming devices on which a client application program is not installed and image forming devices on which an older version of a client application program than the client application program 74c to be installed, stored in S141, is installed, based on the information acquired in S145 (S146).

[0082] Next, the setting tool 75a distributes the client application program 74c to be installed, which was stored in S141, to all image forming apparatuses identified in S146 (S147), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0083] The control unit of the image forming apparatus to which the client application program has been distributed from the setting tool 75a immediately installs the client application program distributed from the setting tool 75a in the image forming apparatus itself.

[0084] Next, the operation of the setting system 70 when saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus will be described.

[0085] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting system 70 when saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus.

[0086] After logging in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, the administrator of the image forming device can input an instruction to start editing the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device (hereinafter referred to as an "edit start instruction") to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. When the setting tool 75a receives the edit start instruction, it executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0087] 12, the setting tool 75a displays an operation screen editing screen 90 (see FIG. 13) for editing the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus on the user terminal that has transmitted the instruction to start editing (S161). Therefore, the control unit of the user terminal that has transmitted the instruction to start editing displays the operation screen editing screen 90 on the display unit of the user terminal itself, and transmits operations on the operation screen editing screen 90 via the operation unit of the user terminal itself to the setting system 70.

[0088] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation-screen editing screen 90 displayed on the display unit of the user terminal.

[0089] 13, the operation screen editing screen 90 has an operation screen area 91 that shows an image of the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device. A total of 18 rectangular areas are formed in the operation screen area 91, with three rows and six columns. One button is formed by one or more rectangular areas. That is, a maximum of 18 buttons can be arranged on the operation screen of the image forming device.

[0090] The operation screen editing screen 90 includes a “Document Processing Flow Execution System” button 92a for adding buttons associated with functions of the document processing flow execution system 40, such as a “Workflow A” button, a “Workflow B” button, a “Workflow C” button, and a “Workflow D” button, to the operation screen area 91; an “Authentication Authorization System” button 92b for adding buttons associated with functions of the authentication and authorization system 50, such as a “Print All” button, a “My Jobs” button, and a “Register IC Card” button, to the operation screen area 91; an “Image Forming Device” button 92c for adding buttons associated with functions of an image forming device, such as a “Copy” button, a “Send” button, a “Fax” button, a “User Box” button, a “Job Box” button, a “USB” button, and an “Application” button, to the operation screen area 91; and an “Other” button 92d for adding a “Folder” button to the operation screen area 91.

[0091] The operation screen editing screen 90 has an "Open Properties" button 93a for setting the properties of a button selected in the operation screen area 91, and a "Delete Button" button 93b for deleting a button selected in the operation screen area 91. The button properties include the arrangement, size, color, name, and icon image of the button in the operation screen area 91. The color of the button in the operation screen area 91 refers to the background color of the icon image of the button in the operation screen area 91. The name of the button in the operation screen area 91 is a character string that is arranged below the icon image of the button in the operation screen area 91.

[0092] The operation screen editing screen 90 includes a cancel button 94a for canceling editing of the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus, and a save button 94b for saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 12, after the process of S161, the setting tool 75a determines whether or not the cancel button 94a has been pressed (S162).

[0094] If the setting tool 75a determines in S162 that the cancel button 94a has not been pressed, it determines whether or not the save button 94b has been pressed (S163).

[0095] If the setting tool 75a determines in S163 that the save button 94b has not been pressed, it executes the process of S162.

[0096] When the setting tool 75a determines in S163 that the save button 94b has been pressed, it saves the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus set on the operation-screen editing screen 90 in the storage unit 74 (S164).

[0097] When the setting tool 75a determines in S162 that the cancel button 94a has been pressed, or when the processing of S164 is executed, the setting tool 75a terminates the display of the operation-screen editing screen 90 on the user terminal (S165), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0098] Next, the operation of the setting system 70 when setting a layout to be applied to the image forming apparatus will be described.

[0099] After logging in to the setting tool 75a via a user terminal, an administrator of the image forming device can input layout setting instructions (hereinafter referred to as "layout setting instructions") to be applied to the image forming device to the setting system 70 via the user terminal.

[0100] When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives the layout setting instruction, it changes the layout management information 74e in accordance with the received layout setting instruction.

[0101] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs into the image forming apparatus 20 using a combination of a user name and a password will be described.

[0102] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus 20 using a combination of a user name and a password.

[0103] The operation shown in FIG. 14 is performed when the login method information 27c in the image forming apparatus 20 indicates a method for logging in using a combination of a user name and a password.

[0104] 14, when a user is not logged in to the image forming apparatus 20, the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 displays an authentication screen for the user to log in to the image forming apparatus 20 on the display unit 22 (S181). Here, since the login method information 27c indicates a method for logging in using a combination of a user name and a password, the client application 28a adopts the method for logging in using a combination of a user name and a password as the login method on the authentication screen displayed in S181.

[0105] When login is instructed on the authentication screen displayed in S181, the client application 28a requests the user information holding system 60 to log in the user (S182). This request includes the combination of the user name and password entered by the user via the operation unit 21 on the authentication screen displayed in S181.

[0106] When the user information holding system 60 receives the request in S182, it decides whether or not to permit the user to log in (S183). Here, if the combination of user name and password included in the request in S182 is included among the combinations of user name and password held by the user information holding system 60 itself, that is, if the authentication of the user is successful, the user information holding system 60 decides to permit the user to log in. On the other hand, if the combination of user name and password included in the request in S182 is not included among the combinations of user name and password held by the user information holding system 60 itself, that is, if the authentication of the user is unsuccessful, the user information holding system 60 decides not to permit the user to log in.

[0107] When the user information holding system 60 determines in S183 that the user's login is not permitted, it notifies the image forming apparatus 20 that the user's login is not permitted (S184). Therefore, the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 displays a failure of the login on the display unit 22 (S185), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0108] On the other hand, when the user information holding system 60 decides in S183 to permit the user to log in, it issues a ticket indicating that the user information holding system 60 has permitted the user to log in (S186), and transmits the ticket issued in S186 to the image forming device 20 (S187).

[0109] When the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60 in S187, the client application 28a requests the setting system 70 for a layout to be applied to the image forming apparatus 20 itself (S188). The client application 28a includes at least one of the serial ID and the MAC address of the image forming apparatus 20 itself in the request in S188.

[0110] When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives the request in S188, it identifies a layout to be applied to the image forming device 20 based on at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming device 20 included in the request in S188 and the layout management information 74e (S189), and transmits the layout identified in S189 to the image forming device 20 (S190).

[0111] When the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the layout transmitted from the setting system 70 in S190, it displays an operation screen corresponding to this layout on the display unit 22 (S191) and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0112] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image forming apparatus 20 uses the ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60 to utilize the document processing flow execution system 40 will be described.

[0113] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image forming apparatus 20 uses a ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60 to utilize the document processing flow execution system 40 .

[0114] A user of the image forming device 20 can instruct the image forming device 20 to use the functions of the document processing flow execution system 40 by, for example, pressing a “Workflow” button on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 22 via the operation unit 21.

[0115] When the image forming device 20 is instructed to use a function of the document processing flow execution system 40, the image forming device 20 requests the document processing flow execution system 40 to use the function of the document processing flow execution system 40 (S201), as shown in Fig. 15. The image forming device 20 includes the ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60 in S187 (see Fig. 14) in the request in S201.

[0116] When the document processing flow execution system 40 receives the request in S201, it inquires of the user information storage system 60 about the validity of the ticket included in the request in S201 (S202).

[0117] When the user information holding system 60 receives the inquiry in S202, it judges the validity of the ticket about which the validity was inquired in S202 (S203).

[0118] If the user information holding system 60 determines in S203 that the ticket inquired about in S202 is not valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is not valid (S204). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 notifies the image forming device 20 that the use of the function requested in S201 is not permitted (S205).

[0119] On the other hand, if the user information holding system 60 determines in S203 that the ticket whose validity was inquired about in S202 is valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is valid (S206). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 executes the function requested in S201 (S207) and notifies the image forming device 20 of the result of the execution in S207 (S208).

[0120] The above describes the case where the image forming device 20 uses the document processing flow execution system 40 by using a ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60, but the same applies to the case where the image forming device 20 uses the ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60 by using the authentication and authorization system 50.

[0121] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus 20 using a PIN code will be described.

[0122] FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus 20 using a PIN code.

[0123] The operation shown in FIG. 16 is performed in the case where the login method information 27c in the image forming apparatus 20 indicates a method for logging in using a PIN code.

[0124] 16, when a user is not logged in to the image forming apparatus 20, the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 displays an authentication screen for the user to log in to the image forming apparatus 20 on the display unit 22 (S221). Here, since the login method information 27c indicates a method for logging in using a PIN code, the client application 28a adopts the method for logging in using a PIN code as the login method on the authentication screen displayed in S221.

[0125] When login is instructed on the authentication screen displayed in S221, the client application 28a requests the authentication and authorization system 50 to log in the user (S222). This request includes the PIN code input by the user via the operation unit 21 on the authentication screen displayed in S221.

[0126] When the authentication authorization system 50 receives the request in S222, it determines whether or not to permit the user to log in (S223). Here, if the PIN code contained in the request in S222 is included among the PIN codes held by the authentication authorization system 50 itself, that is, if the authentication of the user is successful, the authentication authorization system 50 determines to permit the user to log in. On the other hand, if the PIN code contained in the request in S222 is not included among the PIN codes held by the authentication authorization system 50 itself, that is, if the authentication of the user is unsuccessful, the authentication authorization system 50 determines not to permit the user to log in.

[0127] When the authentication and authorization system 50 determines in S223 that the login of the user is not permitted, it notifies the image forming apparatus 20 that the login of the user is not permitted (S224). Therefore, the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 displays a failure of the login on the display unit 22 (S225), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0128] On the other hand, when the authentication and authorization system 50 decides in S223 to permit the user to log in, it issues a ticket indicating that the authentication and authorization system 50 has permitted the user to log in (S226), and transmits the ticket issued in S226 to the image forming device 20 (S227).

[0129] When the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50 in S227, the client application 28a requests the setting system 70 to provide a layout to be applied to the image forming apparatus 20 itself (S228). The client application 28a includes at least one of the serial ID and the MAC address of the image forming apparatus 20 itself in the request in S228.

[0130] When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives the request in S228, it identifies a layout to be applied to the image forming device 20 based on at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming device 20 included in the request in S228 and the layout management information 74e (S229), and transmits the layout identified in S229 to the image forming device 20 (S230).

[0131] When the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the layout transmitted from the setting system 70 in S230, it displays an operation screen corresponding to this layout on the display unit 22 (S231) and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0132] 16 has been described regarding the case where a user logs in to image forming apparatus 20 using a PIN code, but the same applies to the case where a user logs in to image forming apparatus 20 using an IC card ID. However, when a user logs in to image forming apparatus 20 using an IC card ID, the IC card ID read by an IC card reader (not shown) connected to image forming apparatus 20 is used instead of the PIN code.

[0133] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 in the case where the image forming apparatus 20 uses the ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50 to utilize the document processing flow execution system 40 will be described.

[0134] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image forming apparatus 20 uses the ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50 to utilize the document processing flow execution system 40 .

[0135] A user of the image forming device 20 can instruct the image forming device 20 to use the functions of the document processing flow execution system 40 by, for example, pressing a “Workflow” button on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 22 via the operation unit 21.

[0136] When the image forming apparatus 20 is instructed to use a function of the document processing flow execution system 40, the image forming apparatus 20 requests the document processing flow execution system 40 to use the function of the document processing flow execution system 40 (S241), as shown in Fig. 17. The image forming apparatus 20 includes in the request in S241 the ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50 in S227 (see Fig. 16).

[0137] When the document processing flow execution system 40 receives the request in S241, it inquires of the authentication and authorization system 50 about the validity of the ticket included in the request in S241 (S242).

[0138] When the authentication and authorization system 50 receives the inquiry in S242, it judges the validity of the ticket whose validity was inquired in S242 (S243).

[0139] If the authentication and authorization system 50 determines in S243 that the ticket inquired about in S242 is not valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is not valid (S244). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 notifies the image forming device 20 that the use of the function requested in S241 is not permitted (S245).

[0140] On the other hand, if the authentication and authorization system 50 determines in S243 that the ticket inquired about in S242 is valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is valid (S246). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 executes the function requested in S241 (S247) and notifies the image forming device 20 of the result of the execution in S247 (S248).

[0141] The above describes the case where the image forming device 20 uses the document processing flow execution system 40 by using a ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50, but the same applies to the case where the image forming device 20 uses the authentication and authorization system 50 by using a ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50.

[0142] As described above, when a layout is requested from an image forming device (S188 or S228), setting system 70 transmits the layout associated with this image forming device to the image forming device (S189-S190 or S229-S230). This allows the administrator of the image forming device to check the operation screen displayed by the image forming device on setting system 70 without having to check it on the image forming device for each image forming device. As a result, even when a large number of image forming devices are managed by the administrator, the possibility of there being an image forming device that displays an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

[0143] The setting system 70 installs the client application program that requests a layout from the setting system 70 onto the image forming device at the reserved timing (YES in S144 and S147), thereby reducing the burden on the administrator of the image forming device to manage the installation status of the client application program onto the image forming device.

[0144] The setting system 70 installs the client application program that is the subject of the reservation only in image forming devices that have no client application program installed or that have an older version of the client application program installed than the client application program that is the subject of the reservation (S145-S147), thereby reducing the possibility of downtime occurring in the image forming device due to unnecessary installation.

[0145] In this embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention is an image forming device, but it may be an electronic device other than an image forming device, such as a PC. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 10. Information Processing Systems 20 Image forming equipment (electronic equipment) 27a Client application programs (programs for requesting layouts from the configuration system) 70 Setting System 74a Configuration program 74c Client application programs (programs for requesting layouts from the configuration system) 74d Layout 80 Operation screen

Claims

1. A setting system for setting an operation screen in an electronic device, storing the electronic device and the layout of the operation screen in association with each other; the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device; A setting system, comprising: a setting unit configured to, when the layout is requested from the electronic device, transmit the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device.

2. A setting program for setting an operation screen in an electronic device, storing the electronic device and the layout of the operation screen in association with each other in a computer; the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device; A setting program that causes the computer to transmit the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device when the layout is requested from the electronic device to the computer.

3. Electronic devices, a setting system for setting an operation screen in the electronic device; Equipped with the setting system stores the electronic device and the layout of the operation screen in association with each other; the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device; The electronic device requests the layout from the setting system; When the layout is requested by the electronic device, the setting system transmits the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device; The information processing system is characterized in that the electronic device displays the operation screen according to the layout received from the setting system.

4. A computer for setting an operation screen of an electronic device, storing the electronic device and the layout of the operation screen in association with each other; the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device; A computer that transmits the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device when the layout is requested by the electronic device.

Images