Image forming system and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an image forming system that can identify a printing job corresponding to a user who has logged in an image forming apparatus among printing jobs held in a printing server, and an information processing method.SOLUTION: An image forming system 100 includes: an image forming apparatus 3 which executes a printing job which is held by a printing server 2 and is associated with a first user of the printing server 2; a log-in processing section which allows a second user of the image forming apparatus 3 to log in the image forming apparatus 3; a reception processing section which receives an input operation for inputting account information of the first user while the second user logs in the image forming apparatus 3; and an association processing section which associates the first user corresponding to the account information input by the input operation with the second user who has logged in the image forming apparatus 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] As a related art, there is known an image forming apparatus capable of displaying, on a display unit, as candidates for execution, the print jobs of a user who has logged in to the apparatus among the print jobs held in a print server (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the image forming apparatus according to the above related art, when the identification information of the user of the print server associated with the print job is different from the identification information of the user of the image forming apparatus, among the print jobs held in the print server, the print job corresponding to the user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus cannot be identified.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system and an information processing method capable of identifying a print job corresponding to a user who has logged in to an image forming apparatus among the print jobs held in a print server.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An image forming system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus, a login processing unit, a reception processing unit, and an association processing unit. The image forming apparatus executes a print job associated with a first user of the print server held in the print server. The login processing unit logs in a second user of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus. The reception processing unit receives an input operation for inputting account information of the first user during the login of the second user to the image forming apparatus. The association processing unit associates the first user corresponding to the account information input by the input operation with the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus.

[0007] An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed in an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that executes a print job associated with a first user of a print server held in the print server, and includes a login step, a reception step, and an association step. In the login step, a second user of the image forming apparatus is logged in to the image forming apparatus. In the reception step, an input operation for inputting account information of the first user is received during the login of the second user to the image forming apparatus. In the association step, the first user corresponding to the account information input by the input operation is associated with the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to identify a print job corresponding to a user logged in to an image forming apparatus among print jobs held in a print server.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of embodying the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Configuration of Image Forming System 100] First, with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 includes an information processing apparatus 1, a printing server 2, and an image forming apparatus 3. In the image forming system 100, the information processing apparatus 1, the printing server 2, and the image forming apparatus 3 are each connected to a communication network 4. Two of the information processing apparatus 1, the printing server 2, and the image forming apparatus 3 can communicate with each other via the communication network 4. For example, the communication network 4 is the Internet. The printing server 2 and the image forming apparatus 3 are an example of the image forming system of the present invention.

[0013] [Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 1] Next, while referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described.

[0014] The information processing apparatus 1 is a client terminal used by a first user of the print server 2. The first user is a user of the print service provided by the print server 2. Also, the first user is a user who has been registered in advance with the print server 2 as a user of the print service. The print service is a service that prints image data specified by the first user using the image forming apparatus 3. For example, the information processing apparatus 1 is a personal computer or a notebook computer. Note that the information processing apparatus 1 may be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11, an operation display unit 12, a communication unit 13, and a storage unit 14.

[0016] The control unit 11 comprehensively controls the information processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 23. The CPU 21 is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM 22 is a non-volatile storage device in which information such as control programs for causing the CPU 21 to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM 23 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for various processes executed by the CPU 21. The CPU 21 executes various control programs stored in advance in the ROM 22. Thereby, the CPU 21 comprehensively controls the information processing apparatus 1.

[0017] The operation display unit 12 is a user interface of the information processing apparatus 1. The operation display unit 12 includes a first display unit and a first operation unit. The first display unit displays various information in response to a control instruction from the control unit 11. For example, the first display unit is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display. The first operation unit inputs various information to the control unit 11 in response to a user's operation. For example, the first operation unit includes a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0018] The communication unit 13 is a communication interface that performs wired or wireless data communication via a communication network 4 with an external communication device such as a printing server 2.

[0019] The storage unit 14 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage unit 14 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0020] [Configuration of the Printing Server 2] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the printing server 2 will be described.

[0021] The printing server 2 is one or more information processing devices that provide the printing service to the first user. In this specification, for convenience of explanation, an example in which the printing server 2 is configured by one information processing device will be described.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the printing server 2 includes a control unit 31, an operation display unit 32, a communication unit 33, and a storage unit 34.

[0023] The control unit 31 comprehensively controls the printing server 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 31 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, and a RAM 43. The CPU 41, the ROM 42, and the RAM 43 have the same functions as the CPU 21, the ROM 22, and the RAM 23 of the information processing device 1.

[0024] The operation display unit 32 is a user interface of the printing server 2. The operation display unit 32 includes a second display unit and a second operation unit. The second display unit displays various information in response to a control instruction from the control unit 31. For example, the second display unit is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display. The second operation unit inputs various information to the control unit 31 in response to a user's operation. For example, the second operation unit includes a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0025] The communication unit 33 is a communication interface that performs wired or wireless data communication via a communication network 4 with external communication devices such as the information processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 3.

[0026] The storage unit 34 is a non-volatile storage device similar to the storage unit 14 of the information processing apparatus 1.

[0027] The storage unit 34 stores in advance first account information corresponding to each of the first users. The first account information includes identification information of the first user such as a user ID and a password.

[0028] In addition, the storage unit 34 stores in advance a first print service program for providing the print service to the first user. The CPU 41 of the control unit 31 functions as the first login processing unit 71 and the generation processing unit 72 shown in FIG. 3 by executing the first print service program.

[0029] The first login processing unit 71 logs in the first user to the print server 2.

[0030] Specifically, the first login processing unit 71 causes the operation display unit 12 to display a first authentication screen used for authentication of the first user in response to an operation of a user who instructs access to the print server 2 on the operation display unit 12 of the information processing apparatus 1. On the first authentication screen, operations of the user for inputting the identification information and password of the first user are accepted. The first login processing unit 71 determines whether the information input by the operation of the user on the first authentication screen matches any of the first account information stored in the storage unit 34. Then, when the information input on the first authentication screen matches any of the first account information stored in the storage unit 34, the first login processing unit 71 determines that the authentication is successful and logs in the first user to the print server 2.

[0031] The generation processing unit 72 generates a print job for printing the image data specified by the first user. The print job is a job to be executed by the image forming apparatus 3.

[0032] Specifically, the generation processing unit 72 causes the operation display unit 12 of the information processing apparatus 1 to display a print target designation screen used for designating image data to be printed in response to a predetermined operation by the first user on the operation display unit 12. Then, when the image data to be printed is designated by the operation of the first user on the print target designation screen, the generation processing unit 72 generates the print job for printing the designated image data. Further, the generation processing unit 72 associates the generated print job with the first user who designated the image data to be printed. Also, the generation processing unit 72 stores the generated print job in the storage unit 34.

[0033] [Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 3] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 3 will be described.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 3 executes the print job held in the print server 2. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 3 is a multi-function device having a plurality of functions such as a scan function, a fax function, and a copy function, in addition to a print function for forming an image on a sheet based on image data. Note that the image forming apparatus 3 may be a printer having the print function, a fax device, a copy machine, or the like.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 3 includes a control unit 51, an ADF (auto document feeder) 52, an image reading unit 53, an image forming unit 54, a paper feeding unit 55, an operation display unit 56, a communication unit 57, and a storage unit 58.

[0036] The control unit 51 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 51 includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, and a RAM 63. The CPU 61, the ROM 62, and the RAM 63 have the same functions as the CPU 21, the ROM 22, and the RAM 23 of the information processing apparatus 1.

[0037] The ADF 52 conveys the document on which an image is read by the image reading unit 53. The ADF 52 includes a document set unit, a plurality of conveyance rollers, a document holder, and a paper discharge unit.

[0038] The image reading unit 53 realizes the scanning function. The image reading unit 53 includes a document table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD.

[0039] The image forming unit 54 realizes the printing function. For example, the image forming unit 54 forms a color or monochrome image on a sheet supplied by the paper supply unit 55 by an electrophotographic method. For example, the image forming unit 54 includes a plurality of image forming units, an optical scanning device, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer roller, a fixing device, and a paper discharge tray. Note that the image forming unit 54 may form an image on a sheet supplied by the paper supply unit 55 by another image forming method such as an inkjet method.

[0040] The paper supply unit 55 supplies a sheet to the image forming unit 54. The paper supply unit 55 includes a paper supply cassette, a manual feed tray, and a plurality of conveyance rollers.

[0041] The operation display unit 56 is a user interface of the image forming apparatus 3. The operation display unit 56 includes a third display unit and a third operation unit. The third display unit displays various information in response to a control instruction from the control unit 51. For example, the third display unit is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display. The third operation unit inputs various information to the control unit 51 in response to a user operation. For example, the third operation unit includes operation keys and a touch panel.

[0042] The communication unit 57 is a communication interface that performs wired or wireless data communication via the communication network 4 with external communication devices such as the printing server 2.

[0043] The storage unit 58 is a non-volatile storage device similar to the storage unit 14 of the information processing apparatus 1.

[0044] In the storage unit 58, second account information corresponding to each of the second users of the image forming apparatus 3 is stored in advance. The second user is a user who has been registered in the image forming apparatus 3 in advance as a user of the image forming apparatus 3. The second account information includes identification information of the second user such as a user ID and a password.

[0045] Also, in the storage unit 58, an authentication program for authenticating the second user is stored in advance. The CPU 61 of the control unit 51 functions as the second login processing unit 81 shown in FIG. 4 by executing the authentication program.

[0046] The second login processing unit 81 logs in the second user to the image forming apparatus 3. The second login processing unit 81 is an example of the login processing unit of the present invention.

[0047] Specifically, the second login processing unit 81 causes the operation display unit 56 to display a second authentication screen used for authenticating the second user in response to a predetermined user operation on the operation display unit 56. On the second authentication screen, operations of the user for inputting the identification information and password of the second user are accepted. When information is input by the user operation on the second authentication screen, the second login processing unit 81 determines whether the input information matches any of the second account information stored in the storage unit 58. Then, when the information input on the second authentication screen matches any of the second account information stored in the storage unit 58, the second login processing unit 81 determines that the authentication is successful and logs in the second user to the image forming apparatus 3.

[0048] Incidentally, among the print jobs held in the print server 2, an image forming apparatus capable of displaying the print jobs of the user who has logged in to the apparatus as candidates for execution targets is known as related art.

[0049] However, in the image forming apparatus according to the above-described related art, when the identification information of the one user associated with the print job is different from the identification information of the user of the image forming apparatus, among the print jobs held in the print server 2, it is impossible to identify the print job corresponding to the user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus.

[0050] On the other hand, in the image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as described below, among the print jobs held in the print server 2, the print job corresponding to the second user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus 3 can be identified.

[0051] Specifically, the control unit 31 of the print server 2 includes a reception processing unit 73 and an authentication processing unit 74 shown in FIG. 3. The CPU 41 of the control unit 31 functions as the reception processing unit 73 and the authentication processing unit 74 by executing the first print service program.

[0052] In addition, a second print service program for causing the control unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 3 to function as an association processing unit 82, a determination processing unit 83, a display processing unit 84, and an execution processing unit 85 shown in FIG. 4 is stored in advance in the storage unit 58 of the image forming apparatus 3. The CPU 61 of the control unit 51 functions as the above-described respective processing units by executing the second print service program.

[0053] Note that some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 31 of the print server 2 may be configured by electronic circuits. Further, the first print service program may be a program for causing a plurality of processors to function as the respective processing units shown in FIG. 3.

[0054] In addition, some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 3 may be configured by electronic circuits. Further, the authentication program and the second print service program may be programs for causing a plurality of processors to function as the respective processing units shown in FIG. 4.

[0055] The reception processing unit 73 receives an input operation for inputting the first account information (an example of the account information of the present invention) of the first user during the login of the second user to the image forming apparatus 3.

[0056] For example, the control unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 3 requests the print server 2 to authenticate the first user according to a predetermined authentication method in response to a predetermined operation by the second user on the operation display unit 56.

[0057] For example, the authentication method is OAuth2.0. In this case, the control unit 51 requests the print server 2 to grant access rights to the resources of the first user in the print server 2.

[0058] When the reception processing unit 73 is requested by the control unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 3 to authenticate the first user according to the authentication method, the reception processing unit 73 causes the operation display unit 56 to display an input screen used for the input operation.

[0059] Note that, instead of displaying the input screen, the reception processing unit 73 may cause the operation display unit 56 to display access information such as a URL for displaying the input screen. In this case, the reception processing unit 73 may cause the input screen to be displayed on the display unit of a terminal device such as a smartphone in which the access information is input.

[0060] The authentication processing unit 74 authenticates the first user based on the first account information input by the input operation.

[0061] Specifically, when the input operation is received on the input screen, the authentication processing unit 74 determines whether the information input by the input operation matches any of the first account information stored in the storage unit 34. And when the information input by the input operation matches any of the first account information stored in the storage unit 34, the authentication processing unit 74 determines that the authentication is successful.

[0062] When the authentication processing unit 74 determines that the authentication is successful, it notifies the image forming apparatus 3 to that effect. For example, the authentication processing unit 74 transmits an access token for accessing the resources of the first user in the print server 2 to the image forming apparatus 3.

[0063] The association processing unit 82 associates the first user corresponding to the first account information input by the input operation with the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus 3.

[0064] For example, when the first user is authenticated by the authentication processing unit 74, the association processing unit 82 associates the first user with the second user.

[0065] For example, when the access token is transmitted from the print server 2, the association processing unit 82 extracts the identification information of the first user included in the access token, associates the extracted identification information of the first user with the identification information of the second user, and stores the result in the storage unit 58. Note that the access token transmitted from the print server 2 may be discarded after the identification information of the first user is extracted.

[0066] When a display operation for instructing the display of the print job held in the print server 2 is received in the image forming apparatus 3 in which the second user is logged in, the determination processing unit 83 determines whether the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus 3 is associated with the first user.

[0067] When the determination processing unit 83 determines that the second user is associated with the first user, the display processing unit 84 causes the operation display unit 56 (an example of the display unit of the present invention) to display, as candidates for execution targets, the specific print jobs corresponding to the first user associated with the second user among the print jobs held in the print server 2 and logged in to the image forming apparatus 3.

[0068] Further, when the determination processing unit 83 determines that the second user is not associated with the first user, the display processing unit 84 does not display the print jobs held in the print server 2 on the operation display unit 56.

[0069] For example, when the determination processing unit 83 determines that the second user is not associated with the first user, the display processing unit 84 causes the operation display unit 56 to display an error screen including a message indicating that the print job corresponding to the second user cannot be displayed.

[0070] The execution processing unit 85 executes the specific print job designated by the second user among the specific print jobs displayed as candidates for execution by the display processing unit 84.

[0071] For example, in the image forming apparatus 3, the number of printable sheets in a predetermined reference period such as one month is set for each second user.

[0072] Then, when the cumulative number of printed sheets in the reference period of the second user after executing the specific print job designated by the second user does not exceed the number of printable sheets corresponding to the second user, the execution processing unit 85 executes the specific print job designated by the second user. Further, when the cumulative number of printed sheets in the reference period of the second user after executing the specific print job designated by the second user exceeds the number of printable sheets corresponding to the second user, the execution processing unit 85 does not execute the specific print job designated by the second user.

[0073] [Association process] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of the procedure of the association process executed by the control unit 31 of the printing server 2 and the control unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 3 will be described together with the information processing method of the present invention. Here, steps S11, S12,... represent the numbers of the processing steps (steps) executed by the control unit 31 or the control unit 51.

[0074] For example, the association process is executed when an operation of the second user instructing execution of the association process is received in the image forming apparatus 3 in which the second user is logged in. Note that the process of logging in the second user to the image forming apparatus 3 is an example of the login step of the present invention and is executed by the second login processing unit 81 of the control unit 51.

[0075] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the control unit 51 requests the printing server 2 to authenticate the first user according to the authentication method.

[0076] For example, the control unit 51 requests the printing server 2 to grant access rights to the resources of the first user in the printing server 2 according to OAuth 2.0.

[0077] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 31 causes the operation display unit 56 of the image forming apparatus 3 to display the input screen used for the input operation for inputting the first account information. The process of step S12 is an example of the reception step of the present invention and is executed by the reception processing unit 73 of the control unit 31.

[0078] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the input operation has been received on the input screen.

[0079] Here, when the control unit 31 determines that the input operation has been received (Yes side in S13), it causes the process to proceed to step S14. Also, if the input operation has not been received (No side in S13), the control unit 31 waits for the input operation to be received in step S13.

[0080] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 31 executes an authentication process for authenticating the first user based on the first account information input by the input operation. The process of step S14 is executed by the authentication processing unit 74 of the control unit 31.

[0081] <Step S15> In step S15, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the authentication process executed in the process of step S14 has been successful.

[0082] Here, when the control unit 31 determines that the authentication process has been successful (Yes side in S15), it causes the process to proceed to step S16. Also, if the authentication process has not been successful (No side in S15), the control unit 31 causes the process to proceed to step S12.

[0083] <Step S16> In step S16, the control unit 31 notifies the image forming apparatus 3 of successful authentication.

[0084] For example, the control unit 31 transmits the access token for accessing the resources of the first user in the print server 2 to the image forming apparatus 3 in accordance with OAuth 2.0.

[0085] <Step S17> In step S17, the control unit 51 associates the first user corresponding to the first account information input by the input operation with the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus 3. The process of step S17 is an example of the association step of the present invention and is executed by the association processing unit 82 of the control unit 51.

[0086] For example, the control unit 51 extracts the identification information of the first user included in the access token transmitted from the print server 2, and stores the extracted identification information of the first user in the storage unit 58 in association with the identification information of the second user. Further, after extracting the identification information of the first user included in the access token, the control unit 51 discards the access token.

[0087] [Print job execution process] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the procedure of the print job execution process executed by the control unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 3 will be described. For example, the print job execution process is executed when a display operation for instructing the display of the print job held by the print server 2 is received in the image forming apparatus 3 in which the second user is logged in.

[0088] [Step S21] First, in step S21, the control unit 51 determines whether the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus 3 is associated with the first user. The process of step S21 is executed by the determination processing unit 83 of the control unit 51.

[0089] [Step S22] In step S22, the control unit 51 branches the process according to the determination result of the process in step S21. Specifically, when it is determined in the process of step S21 that the second user is associated with the first user (on the Yes side of S22), the control unit 51 shifts the process to step S23. Further, when it is determined in the process of step S21 that the second user is not associated with the first user (on the No side of S22), the control unit 51 shifts the process to step S26.

[0090] [Step S23] In step S23, the control unit 51 causes the operation display unit 56 to display, as execution target candidates, the specific print jobs corresponding to the first user associated with the second user who is logged in to the image forming apparatus 3 among the print jobs held in the print server 2. The process of step S23 is executed by the display processing unit 84 of the control unit 51.

[0091] Specifically, the control unit 51 acquires the job information of each of the print jobs stored in the storage unit 34 of the print server 2 from the print server 2. Further, the control unit 51 identifies the job information of the specific print job included in the acquired job information. Then, the control unit 51 causes the operation display unit 56 to display a job list in which the job information of the identified specific print job is listed.

[0092] <Step S24> In step S24, the control unit 51 determines whether or not it has received an operation of the second user designating one or more of the specific print jobs displayed in the process of step S23.

[0093] Here, when the control unit 51 determines that it has received an operation of the second user designating one or more of the specific print jobs (Yes side of S24), the process proceeds to step S25. Also, if it has not received an operation of the second user designating one or more of the specific print jobs (No side of S24), the control unit 51 waits for an operation of the second user designating one or more of the specific print jobs in step S24.

[0094] <Step S25> In step S25, the control unit 51 executes each of the specific print jobs designated by the second user. The process of step S25 is executed by the execution processing unit 85 of the control unit 51.

[0095] Specifically, the control unit 51 acquires each of the specific print jobs specified by the second user from the storage unit 34 of the print server 2. Then, the control unit 51 sequentially executes each of the acquired specific print jobs.

[0096] Note that, if the cumulative number of printed sheets during the reference period of the second user after executing the specific print job specified by the second user exceeds the printable number of sheets corresponding to the second user, the control unit 51 may not execute the specific print job specified by the second user.

[0097] <Step S26> In step S26, the control unit 51 causes the operation display unit 56 to display the error screen. The process of step S26 is executed by the display processing unit 84 of the control unit 51.

[0098] In this way, in the image forming system 100, the input operation of inputting the first account information is accepted while the second user is logged in to the image forming apparatus 3. Then, the first user corresponding to the first account information input by the input operation and the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus 3 are associated with each other. Thereby, among the print jobs held in the print server 2, the print jobs corresponding to the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus 3 can be identified.

[0099] Further, in the image forming system 100, when the first user is authenticated based on the first account information input by the input operation and the authentication is successful, the first user and the second user are associated with each other. Thereby, compared with a configuration in which only the identification information of the first user is accepted and the accepted identification information of the first user is associated with the second user, it is possible to suppress the impersonation of the first user by a third party.

[0100] Also, in the image forming system 100, when the display operation is received, if it is determined that the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus 3 is associated with the first user, the specific print job among the print jobs held in the print server is displayed as an execution target candidate. As a result, when the display operation is received, compared with a configuration in which all the print jobs held in the print server 2 are always displayed, it is possible to omit the work of the second user searching for the print jobs corresponding to the second user.

[0101] Also, in the image forming system 100, when the display operation is received, if it is determined that the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus 3 is not associated with the first user, the error screen is displayed. As a result, when it is determined that the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus 3 is not associated with the first user, compared with a configuration in which all the print jobs held in the print server 2 are displayed, it is possible to suppress the execution of the print jobs by a third party different from the first user.

[0102] Note that the account information of the present invention may be the identification information of the first user. That is, the input operation may be an operation of inputting only the identification information of the first user. In this case, the control unit 31 of the print server 2 does not have to include the authentication processing unit 74. Further, the reception processing unit 73 may be provided in the control unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 3. The image forming apparatus 3 including the reception processing unit 73 is another example of the image forming system of the present invention.

[0103] Also, the display processing unit 84 may display all the print jobs held in the print server 2 when it is determined that the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus 3 is not associated with the first user when the display operation is received.

[0104] In addition, when the display operation is received, the display processing unit 84 may display all the print jobs held in the print server 2. In this case, the execution processing unit 85 may restrict the execution of the print jobs different from the specific print job among the displayed print jobs.

[0105] [Supplementary Note of the Invention] Hereinafter, the outline of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments will be appended. Note that each configuration and each processing function described in the following supplementary notes can be arbitrarily combined by selection.

[0106] <Supplementary Note 1> An image forming system including: an image forming apparatus that executes a print job associated with a first user of the print server held in the print server; a login processing unit that allows a second user of the image forming apparatus to log in to the image forming apparatus; a reception processing unit that receives an input operation for inputting account information of the first user during the login of the second user to the image forming apparatus by the second user; and an association processing unit that associates the first user corresponding to the account information input by the input operation with the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus.

[0107] <Supplementary Note 2> The account information includes identification information and a password of the first user, the image forming system includes an authentication processing unit that authenticates the first user based on the account information input by the input operation, and the association processing unit associates the first user with the second user when the first user is authenticated by the authentication processing unit. The image forming system according to Supplementary Note 1.

[0108] <Supplementary Note 3> When a display operation for instructing display of the print job held in the print server is received in the image forming apparatus while the second user is logged in, a determination processing unit that determines whether the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus is associated with the first user; and when the determination processing unit determines that the second user is associated with the first user, a display processing unit that causes a display unit to display, as execution target candidates, specific print jobs corresponding to the first user associated with the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus among the print jobs held in the print server. The image forming system according to Appendix 1 or 2, comprising:

[0109] <Appendix 4> The image forming system according to Appendix 3, wherein when the determination processing unit determines that the second user is not associated with the first user, the display processing unit does not cause the display unit to display the print job held in the print server.

[0110] <Appendix 5> An information processing method executed in an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that executes a print job associated with a first user of the print server held in the print server, the method comprising: a login step of logging in a second user of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus; a reception step of receiving an input operation of inputting account information of the first user during login of the second user to the image forming apparatus; and an association step of associating the first user corresponding to the account information input by the input operation with the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of Signs

[0111] 1 Information processing apparatus 2 Print server 3 Image forming apparatus 4 Communication network 11 Control unit 12 Operation display unit 13 Communication Unit 14 Memory Unit 31 Control Unit 32 Operation and Display Unit 33 Communication Unit 34 Memory Unit 51 Control Unit 52 ADF 53 Image Reading Unit 54 Image Forming Unit 55 Paper Feeding Unit 56 Operation and Display Unit 57 Communication Unit 58 Memory Unit 71 First Login Processing Unit 72 Generation Processing Unit 73 Reception Processing Unit 74 Authentication Processing Unit 81 Second Login Processing Unit 82 Association Processing Unit 83 Judgment Processing Unit 84 Display Processing Unit 85 Execution Processing Unit 100 Image Forming System

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus that executes a print job associated with a first user of the print server held in the print server, A login processing unit that allows a second user of the image forming apparatus to log in to the image forming apparatus, A reception processing unit that receives an input operation for inputting account information of the first user during login of the second user to the image forming apparatus, An association processing unit that associates the first user corresponding to the account information input by the input operation with the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus, An image forming system comprising:

2. The account information includes identification information and a password of the first user, The image forming system, Comprises an authentication processing unit that authenticates the first user based on the account information input by the input operation, The association processing unit associates the first user with the second user when the first user is authenticated by the authentication processing unit, The image forming system according to claim 1.

3. When a display operation for instructing display of the print job held in the print server in the image forming apparatus while the second user is logged in is received, a determination processing unit that determines whether or not the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus is associated with the first user, When the determination processing unit determines that the second user is associated with the first user, a display processing unit that causes a display unit to display, as a print job execution target candidate, a specific print job corresponding to the first user associated with the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus among the print jobs held in the print server, The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. When the determination processing unit determines that the second user is not associated with the first user, the display processing unit does not cause the display unit to display the print job held in the print server, The image forming system according to claim 3.

5. An information processing method executed in an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that executes a print job associated with a first user of a print server held in the print server, A login step of allowing a second user of the image forming apparatus to log in to the image forming apparatus, A reception step of receiving an input operation for inputting account information of the first user during login of the second user to the image forming apparatus; An association step of associating the first user corresponding to the account information input by the input operation with the second user logged in to the image forming apparatus; An information processing method including the above.

Images