Communication device

Abstract

To provide technique which makes it possible to execute a function requested by a function execution request received from an external terminal without inputting approval operation.SOLUTION: A CPU 52 executes: reception processing of receiving a product-server linkage start instruction from a portable terminal 10; display processing of displaying a physical authentication screen 120 in an LCD58 to promote a 'YES' button 120A to be pushed to approve execution of product-server linkage processing requested by the product-server linkage start instruction; reception processing of receiving pressing the 'YES' button 120A from an input I / F60; and function execution processing of executing the product-server linkage processing in response to reception of pressing the 'YES' button 120A after the physical authentication screen 120 is displayed. The CPU 52 omits the display processing and the reception processing and executes the product-server linkage processing if authentification based on a manager password received from a portable terminal 10 is performed successfully.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a communication device that omits the input of an approval operation and executes a function requested by a function execution request received from an external terminal.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a function execution device that displays a first approval screen when a first function execution request is received from a first external device, and displays a second approval screen on a display unit when a second function execution request is received from a second external device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the function execution device described in Patent Document 1, since an approval screen is displayed on the display unit every time a function execution request is received from an external device, the user using the external device needs to perform an approval operation every time, and the work becomes complicated.

[0005] An object of this application is to provide a technology that can omit the input of an approval operation and execute a function requested by a function execution request received from an external terminal.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the communication device of the present application is a communication device including a communication interface, a notification unit, an input device, and a controller. The controller performs a reception process of receiving a function execution request from an external terminal via the communication interface, a notification process of causing the notification unit to notify an approval operation for approving the execution of the function requested by the function execution request to be input from the input device, a reception process of receiving the approval operation input from the input device, and a function execution process of executing the function requested by the function execution request in response to receiving the approval operation in the reception process after the start of the notification. The controller further executes the function requested by the function execution request by omitting the notification process and the reception process when the authentication based on the authentication information received from the external terminal via the communication interface is successful.

[0007] Thus, in the communication device of the present application, an approval operation by the user using the external terminal is not required, and the work load of the user is reduced.

[0008] Further, when the authentication based on the authentication information received from the external terminal via the communication interface fails, the controller executes the notification process and the function execution process. Thereby, since the approval operation is prompted when the authentication fails, it becomes possible to surely receive the approval of the user before the function execution.

[0009] The controller further performs a reception process of receiving an inquiry from the external terminal via the communication interface as to whether the communication device has an omission function for omitting the notification process and the reception process, and a reply process of replying to the inquiry as to whether the communication device has the omission function. Thereby, since the communication device replies as to whether it has the omission function, the external terminal can perform a process according to the reply (for example, determine whether to transmit a function execution request accompanied by authentication information).

[0010] The communication device of the present application further includes a memory for storing authentication information. When the authentication information stored in the memory is the initial value, the controller returns in the reply process that the communication device does not have an omission function.

[0011] When the authentication information is the initial value, the security strength is low. If a function execution request including the initial value authentication information is received and the approval operation is omitted, there is a problem with security. According to the configuration of the present application, since a notification process that requires an approval operation is executed when the authentication information is the initial value, security can be ensured.

[0012] The communication device of the present application further includes a memory for storing authentication information. When the controller receives authentication information from an external terminal in a state where the authentication information stored in the memory is the initial value, the controller executes a notification process.

[0013] When the authentication information is the initial value, the security strength is low. If a function execution request including the initial value authentication information is received and the approval operation is omitted, there is a problem with security. According to the configuration of the present application, since a notification process that requires an approval operation is executed when the authentication information is the initial value, security can be ensured.

[0014] In addition, when the controller receives a function execution request without receiving authentication information from an external terminal, the controller executes a notification process. As a result, since the approval operation is prompted when the authentication information is not received, it is possible to surely receive the user's approval before the function is executed.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a mobile terminal 10 as an example of an "external terminal" and an MFP 50 as an example of a "communication device". Note that MFP is an abbreviation for Multi-Function Peripheral.

[0018] The mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 50 are connected to a network 200. The network 200 may be the Internet, a local area network (LAN), or a combination of a LAN and the Internet. Also, the network 200 may be wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 50 are wirelessly connected to a router (not shown) that constitutes a part of the network 200. Also, a service providing server 70 is connected to the network 200.

[0019] The mobile terminal 10 mainly includes a CPU 12, a memory 14, a network I / F 16, an LCD 20, and a touch panel 22. These components are communicable with each other via a bus 28. The mobile terminal 10 is, for example, a smartphone. Note that the mobile terminal 10 is not limited to a smartphone and may be other terminal devices such as a tablet or a notebook computer. Also, the configuration of the mobile terminal 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an example. For example, the mobile terminal 10 may include a mobile terminal communication I / F for performing wireless communication with a mobile base station, a camera for imaging, etc.

[0020] The CPU 12 executes processing in accordance with the initial - setting application 30 in the memory 14. The initial - setting application 30 is not stored in the memory 14 of the mobile terminal 10 from the beginning. For example, the mobile terminal 10 can download and install the one stored in the service - providing server 70 and then execute it. The initial - setting application 30 is, for example, an application program that causes the mobile terminal 10 to perform the initial setting of the MFP 50. The CPU 12 that executes the initial - setting application 30 sets the administrator password of the MFP 50, sets the time of the MFP 50, or displays an initial - setting guide on the LCD 20. Note that the CPU 12 that executes the initial - setting application 30 may sometimes be simply described by the program name. For example, the description "the initial - setting application 30" may sometimes mean "the CPU 12 that executes the initial - setting application 30".

[0021] Also, the memory 14 includes a data - storage area 32. The data - storage area 32 is an area that stores data necessary for the execution of the initial - setting application 30 and the like.

[0022] The network I / F 16 is a communication interface that performs wired or wireless communication with the network I / F 56 of the MFP 50 connected to the network 200, and includes a chip or circuit corresponding to the communication standards of wired LAN or wireless LAN. The mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 50 transmit and receive electronic data to and from each other, for example, via a Wi - Fi (registered trademark) wireless LAN. Note that the communication method between the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 50 is not particularly limited. For example, the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 50 may perform wireless communication via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (registered trademark).

[0023] The LCD 20 includes a display screen that displays various functions of the mobile terminal 10. The touch panel 22 has a touch sensor and is arranged to cover the display screen of the LCD 20. The touch panel 22 detects the approach or contact of the user's finger, touch pen, etc. to the touch panel 22 and outputs an electrical signal in response to the detection.

[0024] The MFP 50 mainly includes a CPU 52, a memory 54, a network I / F 56, an LCD 58, an input I / F 60, a printer unit 61, a scanner unit 62, a FAX unit 63, and a cartridge housing unit 65. These components are communicable with each other via a bus 64.

[0025] The CPU 52 executes processing according to a program 66 in the memory 54. The program 66 includes, for example, an application program for executing printing processing or scanning, and an application program for executing initial setting of the MFP 50 according to an instruction by an initial setting application 30 of the mobile terminal 10. Further, the memory 54 includes a data storage area 68. The data storage area 68 is an area for storing data necessary for execution of the program 66 and the like.

[0026] Note that the memory 54 of the MFP 50 and the memory 14 of the mobile terminal 10 are configured by a combination of a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an HDD, a buffer provided in the CPUs 12 and 52, and the like. Further, the memory 54 of the MFP 50 and the memory 14 of the mobile terminal 10 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include, in addition to the above examples, recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Further, non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, an electrical signal that conveys a program downloaded from a server on the Internet or the like is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a kind of computer-readable medium, but is not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

[0027] The network I / F 56 of the MFP 50 is a communication interface for performing wired communication or wireless communication with the network I / F 16 of the mobile terminal 10, and includes a chip or a circuit corresponding to the communication standards of a wired LAN or a wireless LAN.

[0028] The LCD 58 has a display screen for displaying various functions of the MFP 50. The input I / F 60 is, for example, a touch panel integrally configured with the LCD 58, and accepts user operations on icons, buttons, etc. displayed on the display screen of the LCD 58. Note that the input I / F 60 may also include hard keys or the like in addition to the touch panel.

[0029] The printer unit 61 forms an image on a sheet (for example, paper, OHP, etc.). The printer unit 61 may be an exposure unit, a photoreceptor, a developing roller, a fixing unit for performing printing by an electrophotographic method, an inkjet head, a carriage, and a carriage drive mechanism for printing by an inkjet method. When the MFP 50 receives a print instruction from the mobile terminal 10, it prints the print image data included in the received print instruction by the printer unit 61. The scan unit 62 has a reading sensor for reading an image from a document. When the MFP 50 receives a scan instruction from the mobile terminal 10, it generates scan data by the scan unit 62 and transmits the generated scan data to the mobile terminal 10. The FAX unit 63 executes FAX processing according to a predetermined protocol.

[0030] The cartridge storage unit 65 is configured to be detachable for storing a coloring agent such as ink or toner for coloring a sheet. The cartridge storage unit 65 includes a detection sensor for detecting that a cartridge is mounted. Note that instead of the cartridge storage unit 65, a tank for storing a coloring agent may be provided. The tank is provided with an injection port, and the user can store the coloring agent in the tank by injecting the coloring agent from a bottle containing the coloring agent into the injection port. The tank may also be provided with a detection sensor for detecting whether the amount of the coloring agent stored is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0031] The service providing server 70 mainly includes a CPU, a memory, a network I / F, an LCD, and an input I / F, and each configuration is the same as that of the mobile terminal 10 or the MFP 50. The service providing server 70 is a server for providing various services, such as a useful remote printing function, etc., using the communication device to the users of the communication devices including the MFP 50. The remote printing function is a function of transmitting print data from a terminal connected to the network 200 to the MFP 50 via the service providing server 70 and causing the MFP 50 to print the print data. For example, when a user of the MFP 50 receives the provision of the remote printing function from the service providing server 70, it is necessary to transmit identification information for identifying the MFP 50, such as a serial number, to the service providing server 70 and store it. This process is called the product-server cooperation process. Note that the product-server cooperation process is an example of a "function". Also, as described above, in the present embodiment, the service providing server 70 also stores the initial setting application 30 and also plays a role of transmitting the initial setting application 30 in accordance with a request from the mobile terminal 10. However, it is not limited to this, and the initial setting application 30 may be stored in a server different from the service providing server 70, and the mobile terminal 10 may access the server and download the initial setting application 30.

[0032] Note that in the present embodiment, mainly, the processing of the CPU according to the instructions described in the program is shown. That is, the processing such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "decision", "specification", "acquisition", "reception", "control", etc. in the following description represents the processing of the CPU or the controller. The processing by the CPU includes hardware control via the OS 20. Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process of receiving data without the application 21 requesting it is also included in the concept of "the CPU acquires data". Also, the "data" in this specification is represented in a computer-readable format. And data having the same substantial meaning content but different formats shall be treated as the same data. The same applies to the "information" in this specification.

[0033] The control process executed by the communication system 1 configured as described above will be described based on FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a timing chart indicating the procedure of the product - server cooperation process. And in FIG. 2, the procedure of making the MFP 50 cooperate with the service - providing server 70 using the mobile terminal 10 is shown. In FIG. 2, in the description of each procedure, the step is denoted as "S".

[0035] As a premise for starting the product - server cooperation process shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the initial - setting application 30 is installed and started on the mobile terminal 10, and the initial - setting application 30 selects the MFP 50 for which the initial - setting process is incomplete. Here, the initial - setting process for the MFP 50 includes a password - setting process for updating the administrator password preset in the MFP 50 to a new administrator password, a time - setting process, and a process of filling the printer unit 61 with ink or toner, but is not limited thereto. It may include any one or two of these three types of processes, or other processes may be added to these three types of processes, or the initial - setting process may be configured by other processes other than these three types.

[0036] When the power of the MFP 50 is turned on and the initial - setting process of the MFP 50 is not completed, for example, the screen 100 shown in FIG. 3(a) is displayed on the LCD 58 of the MFP 50. On this screen 100, a QR code (registered trademark) 100A is displayed. And above the QR code 100A, the access destination indicated by the QR code 100A is displayed in characters (setup.xxxx.com). Further, on the right side of the QR code 100A, the setup method executable on the screen 100 is displayed.

[0037] When the user captures the QR code 100A with the camera of the mobile terminal 10, the CPU 12 of the mobile terminal 10 analyzes the captured QR code 100A, accesses the access destination (setup.xxxx.com) indicated by the QR code 100A, downloads the initial setting application 30 that can execute the initial setting process of the MFP 50, and installs the initial setting application 30. If the mobile terminal 10 cannot analyze the QR code 100A for some reason such as the mobile terminal 10 not having a camera, the user may access the access destination entered by character input from the touch panel 22 and install the downloaded initial setting application 30. Here, the user is the user of the mobile terminal 10 and also the user of the MFP 50, particularly the user having administrative privileges.

[0038] When the MFP 50 is selected by the initial setting application 30 and the MFP 50 has not yet completed the initial setting, the initial setting application 30 displays, on the LCD 20, for example, the administrator password setting screen 150 shown in FIG. 5(a) (S10 in FIG. 2). In the administrator password setting screen 150, although a new administrator password has already been input, in S10, the administrator password setting screen where no new administrator password has been input is displayed.

[0039] Then, the user inputs the administrator password on the administrator password setting screen (S11). The state after S11 is the display state of the administrator password setting screen 150. In response to the user's instruction, the initial setting application 30 sends the administrator password to the MFP 50 (S12). Then, the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 receives the administrator password via the network I / F 56 and saves it in the data storage area 68 of the memory 54, thereby updating the initial value of the administrator password with the newly input administrator password (S13).

[0040] Next, the initial - setting application 30 inquires whether the MFP 50 has a physical - authentication skip function (S14). Here, physical authentication means that, for example, the MFP 50 displays a physical - authentication screen 120 shown in FIG. 4(c) on the LCD 58, and when the user presses the "Yes" button 120A, the MFP 50 requests the service - providing server 70 to start the product - server cooperation process. On the other hand, when the user presses the "No" button 120B on the physical - authentication screen 120, the MFP 50 cancels the product - server cooperation process. The physical - authentication skip function is a function that skips this physical authentication, that is, the MFP 50 requests the service - providing server 70 to start the product - server cooperation process without displaying the physical - authentication screen 120. Note that for each model and type of communication device, there are those with and without the physical - authentication skip function. Therefore, in S14, the initial - setting application 30 inquires whether the MFP 50 has a physical - authentication skip function. Note that the physical - authentication skip function is an example of an "omission function".

[0041] Although S13 and S14 are shown continuously in FIG. 2, in reality, after going through several procedures (not shown) from the procedure of S13, the procedure of S14 is carried out. As described above, the initial - setting process for the MFP 50 includes, in addition to the password - setting process, a time - setting process and a process of filling the printer unit 61 with ink or toner, and furthermore, it is necessary to perform a print - quality adjustment process, a test - print process, etc. When a series of processes including the initial - setting process is completed, the MFP 50 becomes ready for use, and on the LCD 58, for example, a HOME screen 110 shown in FIG. 4(b) is displayed. On the other hand, at this time, the initial - setting application 30 displays a user - service - providing screen 152 shown in FIG. 5(b) on the LCD 20 of the mobile terminal 10. When the user selects a user service that he / she wants to receive from among the user - service - providing screen 152, the procedure of S14 is carried out.

[0042] In response to the inquiry of S14, the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 determines whether it has a physical authentication skip function (S15). If the CPU 52 determines that it has the physical authentication skip function (S15: YES), it returns to the mobile terminal 10 that it has the physical authentication skip function (S16). In contrast, the initial setting application 30 transmits a product / server cooperation start instruction to the MFP 50 (S17). Note that the product / server cooperation start instruction is an example of a "function execution request". Since this instruction includes an administrator password, the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 performs password authentication processing to authenticate whether the administrator password included in the instruction matches the administrator password updated in S13 (S18), and determines whether the authentication is successful (S19). If it is determined that the authentication is successful (S19: YES), the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 executes product / server cooperation processing with respect to the service providing server 70 (S20). As described above, the product / server cooperation processing is processing for storing information identifying the MFP 50 in the service providing server 70. Specifically, the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 transmits information including the device ID and IP address stored in the memory 54 to the service providing server 70 as information identifying the MFP 50, and the service providing server 70 stores the device ID and IP address transmitted from the MFP 50 in the memory.

[0043] Then, when the product / server cooperation processing is completed, the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 transmits to the mobile terminal 10 that the cooperation has been completed (S21), and the product / server cooperation processing ends.

[0044] On the other hand, if the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 determines that the authentication has failed in the password authentication process of S18 (S19: NO), it transmits the authentication failure to the mobile terminal 10 (S22). In response to this, the initial setting application 30 displays a physical authentication procedure guidance screen on the LCD 20 (S23). The physical authentication procedure guidance screen is a screen (not shown) that guides the user to check the physical authentication screen 120 displayed on the LCD 58 and select either "Yes" 120A or "No" 120B. On the other hand, the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 displays a physical authentication screen on the LCD 58 (S24). As a result, the physical authentication screen 120 shown in FIG. 4(c) is displayed on the LCD 58. Note that the display of the physical authentication screen 120 is an example of "notification".

[0045] When the user performs physical authentication by, for example, pressing the "Yes" button 120A on the physical authentication screen 120 (S25), the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 accepts the physical authentication (S26) and executes the product - server cooperation process similar to S20 (S27). Note that pressing the "Yes" button 120A is an example of an "approval operation".

[0046] When the product - server cooperation process is completed, the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 transmits to the mobile terminal 10 that the cooperation has been completed (S28), and the product - server cooperation process ends.

[0047] On the other hand, when the user performs physical authentication by, for example, pressing the "No" button 120B on the physical authentication screen 120 (S25), the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 accepts the physical authentication (S26) and executes a cancellation process for the product - server cooperation process (not shown). Specifically, the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 transmits to the mobile terminal 10 that the product - server cooperation process has been cancelled, and (not shown) the product - server cooperation process ends. When the initial setting application 30 receives from the MFP 50 that the product - server cooperation process has been cancelled, it displays a message indicating that the product - server cooperation process has been cancelled on the LCD 20 and ends the product - server cooperation process.

[0048] On the other hand, in the determination of S15 regarding the inquiry of S14 (S15), when the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 determines that there is no physical authentication skip function (S15: NO), it returns to the mobile terminal 10 that there is no physical authentication skip function (S30 in FIG. 3). In contrast, the initial setting application 30 transmits an instruction to start product - server cooperation to the MFP 50 (S31). Since this instruction does not include the administrator password, the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 displays a physical authentication procedure guidance screen on the LCD 20 (S23). On the other hand, the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 displays a physical authentication screen on the LCD 58 (S24). Then, when the user performs physical authentication (S25), the product - server cooperation process ends through the procedures of S26 to S28 described above.

[0049] Note that when the MFP 50 actually has a physical authentication skip function (S15: YES), the CPU 52 of the MFP 50 returns that there is a physical authentication skip function (S16), and when it does not have a physical authentication skip function (S15: NO), it returns that there is no physical authentication skip function (S30 in FIG. 3). However, this is not limited to this. Even when the MFP 50 actually has a physical authentication skip function, if the administrator password remains at the initial value and has not been updated, it may return that there is no physical authentication skip function. The state where the administrator password remains at the initial value is because the security strength is low, so that the MFP 50 is made to perform physical authentication without skipping it. Also, even when the CPU 52 of the MFC 50 returns that there is no physical authentication skip function, if the mobile terminal 10 indicates that there is an administrator password and the administrator password is included in the instruction to start product - server cooperation, the MFP 50 displays the physical authentication screen without performing password authentication processing.

[0050] In the password authentication process of S18, it is verified whether the administrator password included in the product-server connection start instruction matches the administrator password updated in S13. At this time, even if the MFP50 has a physical authentication skip function, if the instruction does not include the administrator password, the CPU52 of the MFP50 may determine that the authentication has failed and send the authentication failure to the mobile terminal 10. Further, even if the instruction includes the administrator password but the administrator password is the initial value, the CPU52 of the MFP50 may determine that the authentication has failed and send the authentication failure to the mobile terminal 10.

[0051] Also, in this embodiment, the product-server connection process is performed following the initial setting process for the MFP50. However, it is not limited to this. After the initial setting process for the MFP50 is completed, for example, after printing using the MFP50, the user service provision screen 152 shown in FIG. 5(b) may be displayed again on the LCD20 of the mobile terminal 10, and the user may select the user service that the user wants to receive from the user service provision screen 152 to perform the product-server connection process. In this case, it starts from the procedure of S14 in FIG. 2, but before S14, the CPU12 of the mobile terminal 10 checks whether the administrator password of the MFP50 is stored in the memory 14. If the administrator password is not stored, the administrator password is input and the same password authentication process as S18 is executed. Then, after successful authentication, the procedure of S14 may be performed. In this case, the password authentication process of S18 may be skipped and the procedure may proceed from S17 to S20.

[0052] As described above, the MFP 50 of the present embodiment is an MFP 50 including a network I / F 56, an LCD 58, an input I / F 60, and a CPU 52. The CPU 52 performs a reception process (S17) of receiving a product / server cooperation start instruction from the mobile terminal 10 via the network I / F 56, and a display process (S24) of causing the LCD 58 to display a physical authentication screen 120 that prompts the user to press the "Yes" button 120A for approving the execution of the product / server cooperation process requested by the product / server cooperation start instruction from the input I / F 60. The CPU 52 also performs a reception process (S26) of accepting the pressing of the "Yes" button 120A input from the input I / F 60, and a function execution process (S27) of executing the product / server cooperation process requested by the product / server cooperation start instruction in response to accepting the pressing of the "Yes" button 120A in the reception process after the start of the display of the physical authentication screen 120. Further, when the authentication based on the administrator password received from the mobile terminal 10 via the network I / F 56 is successful (S19: YES), the CPU 52 omits the display process (S24) and the reception process (S26) and executes the product / server cooperation process requested by the product / server cooperation start instruction (S20).

[0053] In this way, in the MFP 50 of the present embodiment, the approval operation by the user using the mobile terminal 10 becomes unnecessary, and the work load of the user is reduced.

[0054] Also, when the authentication based on the authentication information received from the mobile terminal 10 via the network I / F 56 fails (S19: NO), the CPU 52 executes the display process (S24) and the function execution process (S27). Thereby, it becomes possible to surely accept the approval of the user before executing the product / server cooperation process in order to prompt the approval operation when the authentication fails.

[0055] Further, the CPU 52 further executes a reception process (S14) of receiving an inquiry via the network I / F 56 as to whether or not the MFP 50 has a physical authentication skip function for omitting the display process and reception process of the physical authentication screen 120 from the mobile terminal 10, and a reply process of replying to the inquiry as to whether or not the MFP 50 has the physical authentication skip function (S16, S30). As a result, since the MFP 50 replies as to whether or not it has the physical authentication skip function, the mobile terminal 10 can perform a process according to the reply (for example, determine whether or not to send an instruction to start product / server cooperation user authentication with an administrator password).

[0056] Further, the MFP 50 further includes a memory 54 for storing an administrator password. When the administrator password stored in the memory 54 is the initial value, the CPU 52 replies in the reply process that the MFP 50 does not have the physical authentication skip function.

[0057] When the administrator password is the initial value, the security strength is low. If an instruction to start product / server cooperation including the initial value of the administrator password is received and the approval operation is omitted, there is a problem with security. According to this configuration, since a display process requiring an approval operation is executed when the administrator password is the initial value, security can be ensured.

[0058] Further, the MFP 50 further includes a memory 54 for storing an administrator password. When the CPU 52 receives the administrator password from the mobile terminal 10 while the administrator password stored in the memory 54 is the initial value, the CPU 52 executes the display process of the physical authentication screen 120.

[0059] When the administrator password is the initial value, the security strength is low. If an instruction to start product / server cooperation including the initial value of the administrator password is received and the approval operation is omitted, there is a problem with security. According to this configuration, since a display process requiring an approval operation is executed when the administrator password is the initial value, security can be ensured.

[0060] Further, even when the CPU 52 has a physical authentication skip function, when a function execution request is received without receiving the administrator password from the mobile terminal 10, the CPU 52 executes the display process of the physical authentication screen 120. Thereby, in order to prompt an approval operation when the administrator password is not received, it becomes possible to surely receive the approval of the user before executing the product / server cooperation process.

[0061] Also, the product / server cooperation start instruction is a process of storing the identification information of the MFP 50 in the server via the network I / F 56, that is, a request to execute the product / server cooperation process.

[0062] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0063] (1) In the above embodiment, the MFP 50 is used as an example of the communication device, but the communication device may be a single copier.

[0064] (2) In the above embodiment, one CPU 52 is used as an example of the controller, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a controller including a plurality of CPUs or a CPU including a plurality of cores may be used.

[0065] (3) In the above embodiment, a QR code is used as the code information, but a two-dimensional code other than the QR code may be used, or a one-dimensional code or a three-dimensional code may be used instead of the two-dimensional code.

[0066] (4) In the above embodiment, the remote print function is described as an example of the product / server cooperation process, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any function that provides a service to the MFP 50 by the service providing server 70 may be used. For example, a function of delivering a cartridge housed in the MFP 50, a billing print function of the MFP 50, a translation function of scan data of the MFP 50, etc. can be mentioned.

[0067] In the above embodiment, as an example of a function execution request, the start instruction of product / server cooperation has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the function execution request may be an instruction to execute a function provided by the MFP 50. For example, there may be an instruction to update the firmware of the MFP 50, an instruction to change the settings of the MFP 50 that can only be executed by a user with administrator authority, and the like.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0068] 10... Mobile terminal (external terminal), 12... CPU, 14... Memory, 16... Network I / F, 20... LCD, 30... Initial setting application, 50... MFP (communication device), 52... CPU (controller), 54... Memory, 56... Network I / F (communication interface), 58... LCD (notification unit), 60... Input I / F (input device), 61... Printer unit, 70... Service providing server.

Claims

1. A communication device comprising a communication interface, a notification unit, an input device, and a controller, wherein the controller performs a reception process of receiving a function execution request from an external terminal via the communication interface, a notification process of causing the notification unit to notify an approval operation for approving the execution of the function requested by the function execution request to be input from the input device, a reception process of receiving the approval operation input from the input device, and a function execution process of executing the function requested by the function execution request in response to receiving the approval operation in the reception process after the start of the notification, and the controller further when authentication based on authentication information received from the external terminal via the communication interface is successful, omits the notification process and the reception process and executes the function requested by the function execution request. A communication device.

2. The controller when authentication based on authentication information received from the external terminal via the communication interface fails, executes the notification process and the function execution process. The communication device according to claim 1.

3. The controller further performs a reception process of receiving an inquiry from the external terminal via the communication interface as to whether the communication device has an omission function for omitting the notification process and the reception process, and a reply process of replying to the inquiry as to whether the communication device has the omission function. The communication device according to claim 1.

4. further comprising a memory for storing the authentication information, wherein the controller when the authentication information stored in the memory is an initial value, replies in the reply process that the communication device does not have the omission function. The communication device according to claim 3.

5. further comprising a memory for storing the authentication information, wherein the controller when receiving the authentication information from the external terminal in a state where the authentication information stored in the memory is an initial value, executes the notification process. The communication device according to claim 1.

6. The controller when receiving a function execution request without receiving the authentication information from the external terminal, executes the notification process. The communication device according to claim 1.

7. ​ The function execution request is a request to execute a process of storing identification information of the communication device in the server via the communication interface. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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