Image processing device, control method, and program

Abstract

To make it possible to continuously use account information managed by a Web browser of an old version when the version of the Web browser is changed in an image processing device.SOLUTION: An image processing device 1 includes: a Web browser 31 that manages account information for logging in to a cloud server 40; a data transmission and reception unit 34 that transmits and receives data necessary for execution of a job to and from the cloud server 40 when the Web browser 31 logs in to the cloud server 40 using the account information; and a Web browser control unit 35 that controls the account information managed by the Web browser 31 of the old version to be usable by the Web browser 31 of a new version when the version of the Web browser 31 is changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Cloud services such as Google (registered trademark) Drive and OneDrive (registered trademark) have become widespread. These cloud services store the data required by users on servers in the cloud. Therefore, users can use the data at any time and from anywhere by accessing the cloud server that provides the cloud service.

[0003] In recent years, applications that cooperate with cloud servers have also been installed in image processing apparatuses such as MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) installed in offices and the like. Therefore, the image processing apparatus can store the data required for job execution in the cloud server or acquire it from the cloud server. For example, the image processing apparatus can upload and store the image data of a document generated by a scan job in the cloud server. Also, the image processing apparatus can acquire the image data to be printed from the cloud server and execute a print job to output a print.

[0004] For example, a cooperative application that cooperates with a cloud server accesses the cloud server by using the function of a web browser installed in an image processing apparatus. For example, the web browser manages account information for logging in to the cloud server as cookie information (for example, see Patent Document 1). Therefore, when a user logs in to the cloud server for the first time, when the cooperative application receives the input of account information by the user, the web browser accesses the cloud server using the account information. When the web browser can log in to the cloud server, it stores the account information in the cookie information. At this time, the web server associates the user information of the user logged in to the image processing apparatus with the account information for the user to log in to the cloud server and stores it as cookie information. When the cooperative application accesses the cloud server, it specifies the user information of the user logged in to the image processing apparatus and instructs the web browser to access the cloud server. Thereby, the web browser can read the cookie information including the account information associated with the specified user information and automatically log in to the cloud server. That is, single sign-on (SSO) authentication when the image processing apparatus accesses the cloud server is realized.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, the web browser installed in the image processing apparatus is composed of open source software (OSS) such as Python (registered trademark) and Node.js (registered trademark). A web browser composed of open source software can be freely debugged, improved, and modified by anyone. Therefore, the web browser installed in the image processing apparatus may be upgraded by improving or modifying the source code.

[0007] However, with the upgrade of the web browser installed in the image processing apparatus, the storage area of the cookie information managed by the web browser and the reading process when the web browser reads the cookie information may be changed. When the storage area or reading process of the cookie information is changed, the new version of the web browser cannot use the cookie information used by the old version of the web browser. Therefore, the linked application cannot automatically log in to the cloud server. As a result, the user has to manually input the account information again, which reduces the convenience.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a control method, and a program that can continuously use the account information managed by the old version of the web browser when the version of the web browser changes, in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus, comprising: a web browser that manages account information for logging in to a cloud server; a data transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives data necessary for job execution to and from the cloud server when the web browser is logged in to the cloud server using the account information; and a web browser control unit that controls the account information managed by the web browser of the old version to be available for use by the web browser of the new version when the version of the web browser changes.

[0010] The invention according to claim 2 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the account information is managed as cookie information by the web browser.

[0011] The invention according to claim 3 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the web browser control unit stores the cookie information stored in a first storage area by the web browser of the old version in a second storage area accessible by the web browser of the new version.

[0012] The invention according to claim 4 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the web browser control unit further stores the cookie information in an external storage device.

[0013] The invention according to claim 5 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the web browser control unit outputs a read command for the cookie information to the web browser of the new version, and when there is no response to the read command from the web browser of the new version, changes the process of outputting the read command.

[0014] The invention according to claim 6 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when there is a response to the read command from the new version of the web browser, and when the new version of the web browser cannot obtain the cookie information, the web browser control unit stores the cookie information stored in the first storage area by the old version of the web browser in a second storage area accessed by the new version of the web browser.

[0015] The invention according to claim 7 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the new version of the web browser can obtain the cookie information and fails to log in to the cloud server, the web browser control unit changes the encryption process and decryption process of the cookie information.

[0016] A control method performed in an image processing apparatus that includes a web browser for managing account information for logging in to a cloud server, and transmits and receives data necessary for job execution to and from the cloud server while the web browser is logged in to the cloud server using the account information, the method comprising: a detection step of detecting that the version of the web browser has changed; and a control step of controlling the account information managed by the old version of the web browser to be available for use by the new version of the web browser when it is detected that the version of the web browser has changed.

[0017] A program executed in an image processing apparatus that includes a web browser for managing account information for logging in to a cloud server, and that transmits and receives data necessary for job execution to and from the cloud server while the web browser is logged in to the cloud server using the account information, the program causing the image processing apparatus to execute: a detection step of detecting that the version of the web browser has changed; and a control step of controlling the account information managed by the web browser of the old version to be available for use by the web browser of the new version when it is detected that the version of the web browser has changed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, when the version of the web browser changes, the image processing apparatus can continuously use the account information managed by the web browser of the old version even with the web browser of the new version.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, elements common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration example of a network system including an image processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This network system includes an image processing apparatus 1, a network 2, and a cloud server 40. The network 2 is a communication network including a local network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and a wide area network such as the Internet. The cloud server 40 is installed on a cloud such as the Internet and provides various cloud services. For example, the cloud server 40 provides a storage service for storing data necessary for a user on the cloud.

[0022] The image processing apparatus 1 is configured as an MFP, for example. The image processing apparatus 1 has a plurality of functions such as a scan function, a print function, a copy function, and a FAX function, and executes a job designated by a user. The image processing apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 21 at the upper part of the apparatus main body. The scanner unit 21 optically reads a document set by a user and generates image data. The image processing apparatus 1 also includes a printer unit 22 at the lower part of the apparatus main body. The printer unit 22 forms an image on a sheet such as printing paper based on the image data to be printed and outputs it.

[0023] In addition, the image processing apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 13 that functions as a user interface on the front side of the apparatus main body. The operation panel 13 displays various operation screens that can be operated by the user and receives input operations from the user. For example, when authentication information such as a user ID and password is input to the operation panel 13, the image processing apparatus 1 performs user authentication. If the user can be identified in the user authentication, the image processing apparatus 1 shifts the operation state from the logout state to the login state. By shifting to the login state, the image processing apparatus 1 becomes capable of receiving job setting operations and execution instructions from the logged-in user. The image processing apparatus 1 executes jobs such as scan jobs, print jobs, and copy jobs based on the instruction operations by the logged-in user.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 1. The image processing apparatus 1 includes, as a hardware configuration, a control unit 10, an operation panel 13, a storage unit 16, a communication interface 20, a scanner unit 21, a printer unit 22, and a FAX unit 23.

[0025] The control unit 10 comprehensively controls the operation of the image processing apparatus 1. The control unit 10 includes a hardware processor 11 and a memory 12. The hardware processor 11 reads and executes various programs stored in the storage unit 16. The memory 12 is a volatile storage device that stores temporary data generated during the execution of programs by the hardware processor 11.

[0026] The operation panel 13 includes a display unit 14 and an operation unit 15. The display unit 14 is configured by, for example, a color liquid crystal display and displays various operation screens that can be operated by the user. The operation unit 15 is configured by, for example, touch panel keys arranged on the screen of the display unit 14 and receives operations by the user.

[0027] The storage unit 16 is a non-volatile storage device composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The storage unit 16 stores a program 17 and a browser program 19. The browser program 19 is a program that enables a web browser to function. The program 17 is a program that causes the operation panel 13 and the web browser to cooperate and enables an application 30 for executing a job specified by the user to function. The program 17 includes a program module 18 composed of JavaScript or the like. This program module 18 outputs various commands to the web browser.

[0028] The communication interface 20 connects the image processing apparatus 1 to the network 2. The communication interface 20 is an interface for the image processing apparatus 1 to communicate via the network 2.

[0029] The scanner unit 21 includes an image reading unit 24. The image reading unit 24 irradiates light onto the image reading surface of the document, and reads the light reflected from the document for each pixel to generate image data.

[0030] The printer unit 22 includes an image forming unit 25. The image forming unit 25 forms and outputs an image on a sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic method. However, the image forming method by the image forming unit 25 is not limited to the electrophotographic method. For example, the image forming unit 25 may form an image by an inkjet method.

[0031] The FAX unit 23 is a unit that transmits and receives FAX data via a public telephone network (not shown).

[0032] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 10. The control unit 10 functions as an application 30, a web browser 31, and a job control unit 32 when a hardware processor 11 executes various programs.

[0033] Application 30 cooperates with the operation panel 13 and executes processing based on the user's instruction operation. When the execution of a job is instructed by the user, Application 30 operates the job control unit 32 to instruct the execution of the job specified by the user. Also, Application 30 can operate in cooperation with the web browser 31 and the job control unit 32. For example, when it is specified to upload the image data generated by a scan job to the cloud server 40, Application 30 causes the job control unit 32 to execute the scan job. Then, Application 30 acquires the image data output from the job control unit 32 and uploads it to the cloud server 40 via the web browser 31. Also, for example, when it is specified to download the image data stored in the cloud server 40 and execute a print job, Application 30 downloads the image data from the cloud server 40 via the web browser 31. Then, Application 30 outputs the image data acquired from the cloud server 40 to the job control unit 32 to cause the print job to be executed.

[0034] Application 30 includes a user authentication unit 33, a data transmission / reception unit 34, and a web browser control unit 35.

[0035] The user authentication unit 33 performs user authentication based on the authentication information input by the user. When it is possible to identify the user by successfully authenticating the user, Application 30 changes the operating state of the image processing apparatus 1 to the logged-in state. When the image processing apparatus 1 changes to the logged-in state, the user authentication unit 33 holds user information regarding the logged-in user.

[0036] The data transmission / reception unit 34 transmits and receives data to and from the cloud server 40 via the web browser 31.

[0037] In addition, the Web browser control unit 35 controls the Web browser 31. The Web browser control unit 35 activates the Web browser 31. Then, the Web browser control unit 35 causes the Web browser 31 to access the cloud server 40. When the logged-in user first accesses the cloud server 40, the Web browser 31 obtains a login screen for the cloud server 40. The Web browser control unit 35 displays the login screen obtained by the Web browser 31 on the display unit 14 of the operation panel 13. Then, the Web browser control unit 35 accepts the input of account information by the logged-in user. The account information is authentication information for the logged-in user to log in to the cloud server 40, and includes information such as a user ID and a password. When the account information is input by the logged-in user, the Web browser control unit 35 outputs the account information to the Web browser 31. Thereby, the Web browser 31 logs in to the cloud server 40 using the account information input by the logged-in user. As a result, the application 30 can transmit and receive data necessary for job execution to and from the cloud server 40 via the Web browser 31.

[0038] When the Web browser control unit 35 successfully logs in to the cloud server 40, it causes the Web browser 31 to manage the cookie information 9 including the account information. The Web browser 31 includes a cookie management unit 38. The cookie management unit 38 stores and manages the account information used at the time of logging in to the cloud server 40 in the cookie information 9. For example, the cookie management unit 38 stores and manages the cookie information 9 in the first storage area 16a of the storage unit 16. In addition, the cookie management unit 38 stores the cookie information 9 in a state associated with the user information regarding the logged-in user. Therefore, if the logged-in user who uses the image processing apparatus 1 is identified, the cookie management unit 38 can automatically read out the cookie information 9 for the user to access the cloud server 40.

[0039] When the same logged-in user logs in to the cloud server 40 for the second time or later, the Web browser control unit 35 uses the cookie information 9 managed by the Web browser 31. That is, the Web browser control unit 35 instructs the Web browser 31 to log in to the cloud server 40 using the cookie information 9. Thereby, the Web browser 31 reads out the cookie information 9 associated with the logged-in user from the storage unit 16, accesses the cloud server 40, and automatically logs in. At this time, the logged-in user does not need to manually input account information such as the user ID and password again. That is, if the image processing apparatus 1 can identify the user in user authentication, it can automatically log in to the cloud server 40 using the cookie information 9. Therefore, single sign-on authentication is realized in the image processing apparatus 1, and the operation burden on the user is reduced.

[0040] The browser program 19 that enables the Web browser 31 in the image processing apparatus 1 is composed of, for example, open source software (OSS). Therefore, the browser program 19 may be updated in version by improving or modifying the source code. The image processing apparatus 1 periodically or irregularly monitors whether the version of the browser program 19 stored in the storage unit 16 has been updated. If the version has been updated, the image processing apparatus 1 automatically acquires the latest version of the browser program 19 and automatically updates the browser program 19 in the storage unit 16. Therefore, the Web browser 31 launched in the image processing apparatus 1 may be updated in version.

[0041] When the version of the Web browser 31 is updated, the cookie information 9 used by the old version of the Web browser 31 may become unavailable to the new version of the Web browser 31.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 10 when the Web browser 31 changes to a new version. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the storage area accessed by the new version of the Web browser 31 for storing or reading the Cookie information 9 has been changed to the second storage area 16b of the storage unit 16. In this case, even if the Web browser control unit 35 instructs the Web browser 31 to log in to the cloud server 40 using the Cookie information 9, the new version of the Web browser 31 cannot read the Cookie information 9. Therefore, the new version of the Web browser 31 cannot automatically log in to the cloud server 40.

[0043] Also, even when the storage area for storing or reading the Cookie information 9 has not been changed from the old version in the new version of the Web browser 31, the new version of the Web browser 31 may not be able to automatically log in to the cloud server 40. For example, the application programming interface (API) for causing the new version of the Web browser 31 to read the Cookie information 9 may have been changed from the old version of the Web browser 31. In this case, the Web browser control unit 35 outputs a command to read the Cookie information 9 in the same format as the old version. However, since the API has been changed in the new version of the Web browser 31, the new version of the Web browser 31 cannot interpret the command from the Web browser control unit 35 and does not read the Cookie information 9. As a result, the new version of the Web browser 31 cannot automatically log in to the cloud server 40.

[0044] Also, in the new version of the Web browser 31, the library used for encrypting or decrypting the account information included in the Cookie information 9 may have been changed. In this case, even if the new version of the Web browser 31 decrypts the encrypted account information included in the Cookie information 9, it may not be able to accurately restore the account information. As a result, the new version of the Web browser 31 cannot automatically log in to the cloud server 40.

[0045] Therefore, the Web browser control unit 35 includes an adaptation control unit 36. The adaptation control unit 36 functions when the Web browser 31 is changed from an old version to a new version. The adaptation control unit 36 controls so that the Web browser 31 of the new version can automatically log in to the cloud server 40 using the account information included in the cookie information 9 managed by the Web browser 31 of the old version.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of control by the adaptation control unit 36. FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the storage area accessed by the Web browser 31 of the new version for storing or reading the cookie information 9 has been changed from the old version. In this case, the adaptation control unit 36 reads the cookie information 9 from the first storage area 16a accessed by the Web browser 31 of the old version, and stores the cookie information 9 in the second storage area 16b accessed by the Web browser 31 of the new version. At this time, it is preferable that the adaptation control unit 36 deletes the cookie information 9 stored in the first storage area 16a. By transferring the cookie information 9 to the second storage area 16b by the adaptation control unit 36, the Web browser 31 of the new version can normally read and acquire the cookie information 9 from the second storage area 16b. Therefore, the Web browser 31 of the new version can automatically log in to the cloud server 40 using the cookie information 9 used by the Web browser 31 of the old version.

[0047] In addition, when the API for causing the new version of the web browser 31 to read the cookie information 9 has been changed from the old version, the adaptation control unit 36 performs control to adapt thereto. That is, the adaptation control unit 36 changes the process of outputting a read command for the cookie information 9 so that it can output a command adapted to the changed API. Specifically, the adaptation control unit 36 changes the process of outputting a read command by rewriting the program module 18 used when outputting a read command for the cookie information 9 or changing it to another program module 18. For example, when the API is changed, an argument necessary for a command at the time of an API call for causing the web browser 31 to read the cookie information 9 may be added. In such a case, the adaptation control unit 36 can add an argument included in the read command for the cookie information 9 by changing the process of outputting a read command for the cookie information 9. As a result, the web browser control unit 35 can output a command interpretable by the new version of the web browser 31. As a result, the new version of the web browser 31 can automatically log in to the cloud server 40 using the cookie information 9 used by the old version of the web browser 31 based on the command from the web browser control unit 35.

[0048] Furthermore, when the library used for encrypting or decrypting the account information included in the cookie information 9 in the new version of the web browser 31 has been changed, the adaptation control unit 36 performs control to adapt thereto. That is, the adaptation control unit 36 rewrites the library used by the new version of the web browser 31 for encryption or decryption and changes the encryption process or decryption process. When the encryption process or decryption process is changed by the adaptation control unit 36, the new version of the web browser 31 encrypts or decrypts the account information using the library rewritten by the adaptation control unit 36. As a result, the new version of the web browser 31 can accurately restore the encrypted account information included in the cookie information 9 and can automatically log in to the cloud server 40 using the account information.

[0049] Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure performed in the image processing apparatus 1. This processing procedure is performed by the hardware processor 11 executing the program 17. More specifically, the processing based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is mainly performed by the application 30 of the control unit 10.

[0050] When the application 30 starts this processing, it first activates the user authentication unit 33. The user authentication unit 33 waits until it receives the authentication information input by the user (step S10). When the authentication information is input by the user (YES in step S10), the user authentication unit 33 performs user authentication (step S11) and determines whether the authentication is successful (step S12). If the user authentication fails (NO in step S12), the processing by the image processing apparatus 1 ends. On the other hand, if the user authentication is successful (YES in step S12), the user authentication unit 33 shifts the operation state to the logged-in state (step S13). At this time, the user authentication unit 33 identifies the logged-in user based on the result of the user authentication.

[0051] Next, the application 30 receives an instruction from the logged-in user to connect to the cloud server 40 (step S14). When it receives the instruction to connect to the cloud server 40, the application 30 activates the web browser control unit 35.

[0052] The web browser control unit 35 causes the control unit 10 to start the web browser 31 (step S15). The web browser control unit 35 determines whether the access to the cloud server 40 by the logged-in user is the first access (step S16).

[0053] If it is the first access (YES in step S16), the Web browser control unit 35 receives an input operation of account information by the logged-in user and logs in to the cloud server 40 via the Web browser 31 (step S17). When the login to the cloud server 40 is successful, the Web browser control unit 35 causes the Web browser 31 to store the Cookie information 9 including the account information (step S18). At this time, the Web browser control unit 35 notifies the Web browser 31 of the user information regarding the logged-in user. Therefore, the Web browser 31 stores the Cookie information 9 in the first storage area 16a in association with the logged-in user. As a result, the account information for each user for logging in to the cloud server 40 is managed by the Web browser 31 as the Cookie information 9. When the login to the cloud server 40 is successful, the application 30 becomes capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the cloud server 40 via the Web browser 31.

[0054] On the other hand, if the access by the logged-in user to the cloud server 40 is not the first access (NO in step S16), the Web browser control unit 35 executes an automatic login process (step S20). That is, the Web browser control unit 35 executes a process of automatically logging in to the cloud server 40 using the account information included in the Cookie information 9 managed by the Web browser 31.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing procedure of the automatic login process (step S20). When starting the automatic login process, the Web browser control unit 35 first checks the version of the Web browser 31 (step S21). The Web browser control unit 35 determines whether the version of the Web browser 31 has changed from the version at the previous startup (step S22).

[0056] If the version of the web browser 31 has changed (YES in step S22), the web browser control unit 35 outputs a read instruction for the cookie information 9 in the same format as the instruction that was output to the old version of the web browser 31 (step S23). That is, the same instruction as in the old version is output to the new version of the web browser 31. At this time, the web browser control unit 35 instructs to read the cookie information 9 associated with the logged-in user.

[0057] Thereafter, the web browser control unit 35 determines whether there is a response to the read instruction from the new version of the web browser 31 (step S24). If there is a response from the new version of the web browser 31 (YES in step S24), it means that the new version of the web browser 31 was able to interpret the read instruction. On the other hand, if there is no response from the new version of the web browser 31 (NO in step S24), it means that the web browser 31 was unable to interpret the read instruction.

[0058] If there is no response from the web browser 31 (NO in step S24), the web browser control unit 35 activates the adaptation control unit 36. The adaptation control unit 36 changes the process of outputting the read instruction for the cookie information 9 (step S25). As a result, the web browser control unit 35 can output a read instruction that can be interpreted by the new version of the web browser 31. When the process of outputting the read instruction is changed by the adaptation control unit 36, the web browser control unit 35 executes the process of step S23 again. At this time, since the new version of the web browser 31 can normally interpret the read instruction from the web browser control unit 35, it outputs a response to the web browser control unit 35 and performs the process of reading the cookie information 9.

[0059] If there is a response from the web browser 31 (YES in step S24), the web browser control unit 35 determines whether the web browser 31 was able to normally read the cookie information 9 (step S26).

[0060] When the new version of the web browser 31 fails to read the cookie information 9 (NO in step S26), it means that the cookie information 9 is not stored in the storage area accessed by the web browser 31. In this case, the web browser control unit 35 activates the adaptation control unit 36. The adaptation control unit 36 identifies the first storage area 16a where the old version of the web browser 31 stores the cookie information 9 and the second storage area 16b that the new version of the web browser 31 accesses (step S27). After identifying the first storage area 16a and the second storage area 16b, the adaptation control unit 36 copies or moves the cookie information 9 stored in the first storage area 16a to the second storage area 16b (step S28). When the adaptation control unit 36 stores the cookie information 9 in the second storage area 16b, the web browser control unit 35 executes the processes after step S23 again. At this time, the new version of the web browser 31 can normally read the cookie information 9 from the second storage area 16b. Then, the new version of the web browser 31 executes a process to log in to the cloud server 40 using the account information included in the cookie information 9 read from the second storage area 16b.

[0061] When the new version of the web browser 31 can normally read the cookie information 9 (YES in step S26), the web browser control unit 35 determines whether the login to the cloud server 40 is successful (step S29).

[0062] If the login to the cloud server 40 fails (NO in step S29), the web browser control unit 35 determines that the encryption or decryption of the account information included in the cookie information 9 has failed. In this case, the web browser control unit 35 causes the adaptation control unit 36 to function. The adaptation control unit 36 changes the encryption process or decryption process used by the new version of the web browser 31 when encrypting or decrypting the account information included in the cookie information 9. For example, the adaptation control unit 36 rewrites the library used by the new version of the web browser 31 when encrypting or decrypting, and changes the encryption process or decryption process. When the encryption process or decryption process is changed by the adaptation control unit 36, the new version of the web browser 31 encrypts or decrypts the account information using the library rewritten by the adaptation control unit 36. Therefore, the new version of the web browser 31 can accurately restore the encrypted account information included in the cookie information 9.

[0063] When the encryption process or decryption process is changed by the adaptation control unit 36, the web browser control unit 35 executes the processes after step S23 again. At this time, the new version of the web browser 31 decrypts the account information included in the cookie information 9 with the changed decryption process. Then, the new version of the web browser 31 executes the process for logging in to the cloud server 40 using the decrypted account information. In this case, since the account information has been successfully decrypted, the new version of the web browser 31 can automatically log in to the cloud server 40 using the account information used by the old version of the web browser 31 (YES in step S29).

[0064] On the other hand, when the version of the web browser 31 has not changed from the version at the previous startup (NO in step S22), the web browser control unit 35 outputs a command to read the cookie information 9 to the web browser 31 in the same manner as before (step S31). At this time, the web browser control unit 35 instructs to read the cookie information 9 associated with the logged-in user. When the version of the web browser 31 has not changed, the web browser 31 can normally read the cookie information 9. Therefore, the web browser 31 can automatically log in to the cloud server 40 using the account information included in the cookie information 9. Thus, the automatic login process ends.

[0065] When the automatic login to the cloud server 40 is successful by the automatic login process (step S20), the application 30 becomes capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the cloud server 40 via the web browser 31.

[0066] After that, the application 30 activates the data transmission / reception unit 34. The data transmission / reception unit 34 transmits and receives data necessary for job execution to and from the cloud server 40 via the web browser 31. For example, when acquiring image data to be printed from the cloud server 40, the data transmission / reception unit 34 outputs the image data to the job control unit 32. Thereby, the image processing apparatus 1 executes a print job based on the image data acquired from the cloud server 40. Also, when acquiring image data generated by a scan job from the job control unit 32, the data transmission / reception unit 34 transmits and uploads the image data to the cloud server 40. Thereby, the image processing apparatus 1 can automatically upload image data to the cloud server 40 as a series of operations in the scan job.

[0067] As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a web browser 31, a data transmission / reception unit 34, and a web browser control unit 35. The web browser 31 manages account information for logging in to the cloud server 40. Also, when the web browser 31 logs in to the cloud server 40 using the account information, the data transmission / reception unit 34 transmits and receives data necessary for job execution between the web browser 31 and the cloud server 40. When the version of the web browser 31 changes, the web browser control unit 35 controls the account information managed by the old version of the web browser 31 to be available for use by the new version of the web browser 31. Therefore, when the version of the web browser 31 of the image processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment changes, the account information managed by the old version of the web browser 31 can be continuously used by the new version of the web browser 31. Therefore, even when the version of the web browser 31 changes, the user does not need to manually input the account information for logging in to the cloud server 40 again.

[0068] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the content described in the above embodiments. That is, various modifications can be applied to the above embodiments of the present invention.

[0069] For example, the above-described Web browser control unit 35 may be configured to save the cookie information 9 managed by the Web browser 31 as a backup in an external storage device. In this case, the external storage device is a storage device provided in a local network such as a LAN to which the image processing apparatus 1 is connected. Further, the external storage device may be a cloud storage installed on the cloud. In this case, when the version of the Web browser 31 changes, the Web browser control unit 35 can acquire the cookie information 9 from the external storage device and save the cookie information 9 in the storage area accessed by the new version of the Web browser 31. For example, when the Web browser 31 is upgraded, the cookie information 9 may be deleted from the first storage area 16a managed by the old version of the Web browser 31. Even when the cookie information 9 is deleted from the first storage area 16a during the upgrade, the Web browser control unit 35 can restore the cookie information 9 from the external storage device. Therefore, the new version of the Web browser 31 can continue to use the previous cookie information 9.

[0070] For example, when the Web browser control unit 35 copies or moves the cookie information 9 stored in the first storage area 16a to the second storage area 16b, the Web browser control unit 35 saves the cookie information 9 as a backup in an external storage device. Thereby, the Web browser control unit 35 can restore the cookie information 9 from the external storage device during subsequent upgrades.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the case where the image processing apparatus 1 is configured as an MFP and has a plurality of functions such as a scan function, a print function, a copy function, and a fax function is illustrated. However, the image processing apparatus 1 is not limited to being configured as an MFP. That is, the image processing apparatus 1 may be any apparatus that is equipped with the Web browser 31.

[0072] In addition, the program 17 described in the above embodiment was exemplified as being pre-stored in the image processing apparatus 1. However, the program 17 is not limited to being pre-stored in the image processing apparatus 1. For example, the program 17 may be an object of transaction by itself. In this case, the program 17 may be provided in a manner that can be downloaded to the image processing apparatus 1 via a network 2 such as the Internet. Also, the program 17 may be provided in a state recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a USB memory.

Explanation of Signs

[0073] 1 Image processing apparatus 9 Cookie information (account information) 10 Control unit 16 Storage unit 16a First storage area 16b Second storage area 17 Program 19 Browser program 30 Application 31 Web browser 32 Job control unit 34 Data transmission / reception unit 35 Web browser control unit 36 Adaptive control unit 38 Cookie management unit 40 Cloud server

Claims

1. A web browser that manages account information for logging in to a cloud server; a data transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives data necessary for executing a job between the web browser and the cloud server when the web browser is logged in to the cloud server using the account information; a web browser control unit that controls, when a version of the web browser is changed, the account information managed by an old version of the web browser so that the account information can be used by a new version of the web browser; An image processing device comprising:

2. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the account information is managed as cookie information by the web browser.

3. The image processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the Web browser control unit stores the cookie information stored in a first memory area by the old version of the Web browser in a second memory area accessed by the new version of the Web browser.

4. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the web browser control unit further stores the cookie information in an external storage device.

5. The image processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the Web browser control unit changes the process of outputting the read command if, after outputting a read command of the cookie information to the new version of the Web browser, there is no response to the read command from the new version of the Web browser.

6. The image processing device described in claim 5, characterized in that when there is a response to the read command from the new version of the Web browser and the new version of the Web browser is unable to obtain the cookie information, the Web browser control unit stores the cookie information stored in a first memory area by the old version of the Web browser in a second memory area accessed by the new version of the Web browser.

7. The image processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the Web browser control unit changes the encryption and decryption processes of the cookie information when the new version of the Web browser is able to obtain the cookie information but fails to log in to the cloud server.

8. A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: a web browser that manages account information for logging in to a cloud server; and, in a state in which the web browser is logged in to the cloud server using the account information, transmitting and receiving data required for executing a job between the image processing apparatus and the cloud server, the control method comprising: A detection step of detecting that the version of the web browser has changed; a control step of controlling, when it is detected that the version of the Web browser has changed, the account information managed by the old version of the Web browser to be available in the new version of the Web browser; A control method comprising the steps of:

9. A program executed in an image processing device, the image processing device including a web browser that manages account information for logging in to a cloud server, and that transmits and receives data required for executing a job between the image processing device and the cloud server while the web browser is logged in to the cloud server using the account information, the program comprising: A detection step of detecting that the version of the web browser has changed; a control step of controlling, when it is detected that the version of the Web browser has changed, the account information managed by the old version of the Web browser to be available in the new version of the Web browser; A program characterized by executing the above.

Images