Electronic apparatus, apparatus management system, apparatus control program, and apparatus management program

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus, an apparatus management system, an apparatus control program, and an apparatus management program that can reduce the time required for a password of a default user to be reset to a default value.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus, when receiving a request for resetting a password for logging in to the image forming apparatus from a default user as a default user of the image forming apparatus, resets a password of the default user to a default value (S232).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device that uses a password when logging in, a device management system, a device control program, and a device management program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a network system is known that includes a multifunction peripheral as an electronic device and a management server as a device management system that manages the multifunction peripheral (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-289313 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional multifunction devices, if a user of the multifunction device wishes to log in to the multifunction device as the default user of the multifunction device and forgets the password used to log in to the multifunction device, the password of the default user needs to be reset to a default value, but there is a problem that it can take a long time to reset the password of the default user to the default value. For example, if a service person from a service company that performs maintenance on the multifunction device visits the location of the multifunction device and performs an operation on the multifunction device to reset the password of the default user to the default value, or if the user of the multifunction device contacts customer support or the like to learn how to reset the password of the default user to the default value and then the user of the electronic device performs an operation on the multifunction device to reset the password of the default user to the default value, it can take a long time to reset the password of the default user to the default value.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a device management system, a device control program, and a device management program that can shorten the time required for a default user's password to be reset to a default value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that when a request is received to reset the password for logging into the electronic device of a default user who is the default user of the electronic device, the password of the default user is reset to a default value.

[0007] With this configuration, when the electronic device of the present invention receives a request to reset the default user's password, it resets the default user's password to the default value. This eliminates the need for a service person to visit the location where the electronic device is installed and have the service person perform the operation to reset the default user's password to the default value on the electronic device, or for the user of the electronic device to contact customer support or the like to understand the operation to reset the default user's password to the default value and then perform the operation to reset the default user's password to the default value on the electronic device, thereby shortening the time required for the default user's password to be reset to the default value.

[0008] In the electronic device of the present invention, when a request to reset the password of the default user is received, approval to reset the password of the default user is requested from the user of the electronic device, and when approval to reset the password of the default user is obtained from the user of the electronic device, the password of the default user is reset to the default value.

[0009] With this configuration, when the electronic device of the present invention receives a request to reset the password of a default user, it requests approval for the reset of the password of the default user from the user of the electronic device, and when approval for the reset of the password of the default user is obtained from the user of the electronic device, it resets the password of the default user to a default value, thereby enabling the password of the default user to be safely reset to the default value.

[0010] In the electronic device of the present invention, when the password of the default user is the default value, acceptance of operations other than specific operations may be restricted.

[0011] With this configuration, the electronic device of the present invention restricts acceptance of operations other than specific operations when the password of the default user is the default value, thereby improving security performance.

[0012] In the electronic device of the present invention, a request to reset the password of the default user may be received from a device management system that manages the electronic device, and when the password of the default user is reset to the default value, the connection with the device management system may be disconnected.

[0013] With this configuration, the electronic device of the present invention receives a request to reset the password of the default user from the device management system that manages the electronic device, and if the password of the default user is reset to the default value, it disconnects from the device management system.Therefore, if the default user's password is the default value and therefore acceptance of operations other than specific operations is restricted, it can also be prevented from being operated from the device management system, thereby improving security performance.

[0014] In the electronic device of the present invention, when the password of the default user is changed from the default value, the electronic device may automatically reconnect to the device management system.

[0015] With this configuration, the electronic device of the present invention automatically reconnects to the device management system when the password of the default user is changed from the default value, thereby improving convenience.

[0016] The device management system of the present invention is a device management system that manages electronic devices, and is characterized in that it sends a request to the electronic device to reset the password used by a default user, who is the default user of the electronic device, to log in to the electronic device.

[0017] With this configuration, the device management system of the present invention sends a request to the electronic device to reset the password of the default user of the electronic device, eliminating the need for a service person to visit the location where the electronic device is installed and have the service person perform an operation on the electronic device to reset the default user's password to the default value, or for the user of the electronic device to contact customer support or the like to understand the operation to reset the default user's password to the default value and then perform the operation on the electronic device to reset the default user's password to the default value, thereby shortening the time required to reset the default user's password to the default value.

[0018] The device control program of the present invention is a device control program executed by an electronic device, and is characterized in that when the electronic device receives a request to reset the password for logging into the electronic device of a default user who is the default user of the electronic device, the program causes the electronic device to reset the password of the default user to a default value.

[0019] With this configuration, when an electronic device executing the device control program of the present invention receives a request to reset the password of the default user, it resets the password of the default user to the default value. This eliminates the need for a service person to visit the location where the electronic device is installed and have the service person perform an operation on the electronic device to reset the password of the default user to the default value, or for the user of the electronic device to contact customer support or the like to understand the operation to reset the password of the default user to the default value and then perform the operation on the electronic device to reset the password of the default user to the default value, thereby shortening the time required for the default user's password to be reset to the default value.

[0020] The device management program of the present invention is a device management program for managing electronic devices, and is characterized in that it causes a computer to send to the electronic device a request to reset the password for logging into the electronic device of a default user who is the default user of the electronic device.

[0021] With this configuration, the computer executing the device management program of the present invention sends a request to the electronic device to reset the password of the default user of the electronic device, eliminating the need for a service person to visit the location where the electronic device is installed and have the service person perform an operation on the electronic device to reset the default user's password to the default value, or for the user of the electronic device to contact customer support or the like to understand the operation to reset the default user's password to the default value and then perform the operation on the electronic device to reset the default user's password to the default value, thereby shortening the time required to reset the default user's password to the default value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The electronic device, device management system, device control program, and device management program of the present invention can reduce the time required for the password of a default user to be reset to the default value. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the device management system shown in FIG. 1 when configured by one computer. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of device management information shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of user management information shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of default password information shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of system connection information shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a user terminal shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 when used by a device user. [Figure 10] 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 when a device user logs in. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 when the password of the default user is changed. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a password change screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device management system shown in FIG. 2 when a connection request is received from the image forming apparatus. [Figure 15] 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 when a system connection operation start instruction is input. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a system connection screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the device management system shown in FIG. 2 when an instruction is given to reset the password of a default user of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 18] 5 is a flowchart of a part of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 when a password reset request is received from the device management system. [Figure 19] 19 is a flowchart continuing from the flowchart shown in FIG. 18. [Figure 20] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an approval screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] First, the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a device management system 20 that manages an image forming device as an electronic device. The device management system 20 may be configured with a single computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), or may be configured with multiple computers. The device management system 20 may be configured as a cloud server. The device management system 20 is managed, for example, by the manufacturer of the image forming device. The device management system 20 is used, for example, by service personnel belonging to a service company that performs maintenance on the image forming device.

[0028] The system 10 includes an image forming device 30, such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) or a dedicated printer. The system 10 can include at least one other image forming device with a similar configuration to the image forming device 30. The image forming device is installed at the office location of a user of the image forming device, such as a customer of a service company. Each image forming device is assigned a device ID as identification information.

[0029] The system 10 includes a user terminal 40, such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet terminal, used by a user of the device management system 20, such as a service person (hereinafter referred to as a "system user"). The system 10 can include at least one other user terminal in addition to the user terminal 40 that has a similar configuration to the user terminal 40.

[0030] The device management system 20 and the image forming apparatus can communicate with each other via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0031] The device management system 20 and the user terminal can communicate with each other via a network 12 such as a LAN or the Internet.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the device management system 20 when configured with one computer.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the equipment management system 20 includes an operation unit 21, which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input; a display unit 22, which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information; a communication unit 23, which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a memory unit 24, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information; and a control unit 25 that controls the entire equipment management system 20.

[0034] The storage unit 24 can store a device management program 24a for managing the image forming apparatus. The device management program 24a may be installed in the device management system 20 during the manufacturing stage of the device management system 20, or may be additionally installed in the device management system 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed in the device management system 20 from a network.

[0035] The storage unit 24 is capable of storing information 24b for managing the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "device management information").

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the device management information 24b.

[0037] The device management information 24b shown in Fig. 3 includes a device ID as identification information for the image forming device and an authentication code required for the image forming device to connect to the device management system 20, in association with each image forming device. The device management information 24b shown in Fig. 3 is illustrated with some information omitted. For example, the device management information 24b shown in Fig. 3 indicates that "the authentication code for an image forming device with a device ID of 'D00001' is '123456789'." The authentication code is generated in the device management system 20.

[0038] 2 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 25. The CPU of the control unit 25 executes programs stored in the storage unit 24 or the ROM of the control unit 25.

[0039] The control unit 25 executes the device management program 24a to implement a device management unit 25a that manages the image forming apparatus.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 30. As shown in FIG.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 30 includes an operation unit 31, which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input; a display unit 32, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information; a printer 33, which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper; a scanner 34, which is a reading device that reads images from a document; a communication unit 35, which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a memory unit 36, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information; and a control unit 37 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 30.

[0042] The storage unit 36 ​​can store a device control program 36a for controlling the image forming apparatus 30. The device control program 36a may be installed in the image forming apparatus 30 during the manufacturing stage of the image forming apparatus 30, or may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 30 from a network.

[0043] The storage unit 36 ​​stores information 36b (hereinafter referred to as "user management information") for managing users of the image forming apparatus 30 (hereinafter referred to as "device users").

[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the user management information 36b.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 5, the user management information 36b includes a user ID as identification information for the device user, a password, and authority for the image forming device 30, which are associated with each device user. The user management information 36b shown in Fig. 5 is drawn with some information omitted. In the user management information 36b shown in Fig. 5, the user ID "U00001" is the user ID of the default device user (hereinafter referred to as the "default user") of the image forming device 30. The default user has the authority of a device administrator, which allows all operations on the image forming device 30 to be performed.

[0046] 4, the storage unit 36 ​​stores default password information 36c indicating a default password of a default user (hereinafter referred to as the "default password"). In the initial state of the image forming device 30, the password of the default user in the user management information 36b matches the default password indicated in the default password information 36c.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the default password information 36c.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the default password may be a simple string such as "0000".

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 36 ​​can store information 36d necessary for the image forming apparatus 30 to connect to the device management system 20 (hereinafter referred to as "system connection information").

[0050] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the system connection information 36d.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7, the system connection information 36d includes the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the device management system 20 and an authentication code for connecting to the device management system 20.

[0052] 4 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM that serves as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 37. The CPU of the control unit 37 executes programs stored in the storage unit 36 ​​or the ROM of the control unit 37.

[0053] The control unit 37 executes the device control program 36a to implement a device control unit 37a that controls the image forming apparatus 30.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example of the user terminal 40. As shown in FIG.

[0055] As shown in Figure 8, the user terminal 40 includes an operation unit 41, which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input; a display unit 42, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information; a communication unit 43, which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without going through a network; a memory unit 44, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information; and a control unit 45 that controls the entire user terminal 40.

[0056] The storage unit 44 can store a program for a web browser (hereinafter referred to as the "web browser program") 44a. The web browser program 44a may be installed on the user terminal 40 during the manufacturing stage of the user terminal 40, or may be additionally installed on the user terminal 40 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed on the user terminal 40 from a network.

[0057] The control unit 45 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 45. The CPU of the control unit 45 executes programs stored in the storage unit 44 or the ROM of the control unit 45.

[0058] The control unit 45 executes the web browser program 44a to implement a web browser 45a.

[0059] The operation of the system 10 will now be described.

[0060] First, the operation of the image forming device 30 when used by a device user will be described.

[0061] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming device 30 when used by a device user.

[0062] The device control unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 always executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 9, the device control unit 37a determines whether the password of the default user in the user management information 36b matches the default password indicated in the default password information 36c (S101).

[0064] When the device control unit 37a determines in S101 that the password of the default user in the user management information 36b matches the default password indicated in the default password information 36c, it places the image forming device 30 in a state in which acceptance of operations other than specific operations is restricted (hereinafter referred to as the "operation restricted state") (S102). In the operation restricted state, for example, logging in to the image forming device 30 using the user ID of the default user and changing the password of the default user in the user management information 36b are permitted. On the other hand, in the operation restricted state, for example, new registration of a device user other than the default user to the image forming device 30, logging in to the image forming device 30 using the user ID of a device user other than the default user, and input from the device user of an instruction to start an operation for connecting the image forming device 30 to the device management system 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "system connection operation start instruction").

[0065] If the device control unit 37a determines in S101 that the password of the default user in the user management information 36b does not match the default password indicated in the default password information 36c, it changes the state of the image forming device 30 to a state that is not in an operation restricted state (hereinafter referred to as a "non-operation restricted state") (S103).

[0066] When the process of S102 or S103 ends, the device control unit 37a executes the process of S101.

[0067] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 when a device user logs in will be described.

[0068] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 when a device user logs in.

[0069] The device user can input an instruction to start an operation for logging in to the image forming device 30 (hereinafter referred to as a "login operation start instruction") to the image forming device 30 from the operation unit 31. When the login operation start instruction is input, the device control unit 37a of the image forming device 30 executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 10, the device control unit 37a displays a screen for logging in to the image forming apparatus 30 (hereinafter referred to as a "login screen") 50 (see FIG. 11) on the display unit 32 (S121).

[0071] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the login screen 50. As shown in FIG.

[0072] The login screen 50 shown in Figure 11 includes a text box 51 as a widget for entering the user ID of the device user, a text box 52 as a widget for entering the password of the device user, a login button 53 as a widget for causing the image forming device 30 to execute login to the image forming device 30, and a cancel button 54 as a widget for canceling execution of login to the image forming device 30.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 10, when the process of S121 ends, the device control unit 37a determines whether the login button 53 has been pressed (S122).

[0074] If the device control unit 37a determines in S122 that the login button 53 has not been pressed, it determines whether the cancel button 54 has been pressed (S123).

[0075] If the device control unit 37a determines in S123 that the cancel button 54 has not been pressed, it executes the process of S122.

[0076] If the device control unit 37a determines in S123 that the cancel button 54 has been pressed, it causes the display unit 32 to stop displaying the login screen 50 (S124), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0077] When the device control unit 37a determines in S122 that the login button 53 has been pressed, it causes the display unit 32 to end display of the login screen 50 (S125).

[0078] When the processing of S125 is completed, the device control unit 37a determines whether the combination of the user ID entered in the text box 51 at the time the login button 53 was pressed and the password entered in the text box 52 at the time the login button 53 was pressed is included in the user management information 36b (S126).

[0079] If the device control unit 37a determines in S126 that the combination of the user ID entered in the text box 51 at the time the login button 53 was pressed and the password entered in the text box 52 at the time the login button 53 was pressed is not included in the user management information 36b, it causes the display unit 32 to display a login failure for a specific period of time, such as 10 seconds (S127), and executes the processing of S121.

[0080] If the device control unit 37a determines in S126 that the combination of the user ID entered in the text box 51 at the time the login button 53 was pressed and the password entered in the text box 52 at the time the login button 53 was pressed is included in the user management information 36b, it permits login using the user ID entered in the text box 51 at the time the login button 53 was pressed (S128) and terminates the operation shown in Figure 10.

[0081] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 when the password of the default user is changed will be described.

[0082] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 when the password of the default user is changed.

[0083] When the default user is logged in to the image forming device 30, the default user can input an instruction to start an operation to change the default user's password (hereinafter referred to as a "default user password change start instruction") to the image forming device 30 from the operation unit 31. When the default user password change start instruction is input, the device control unit 37a of the image forming device 30 executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 12, the device control unit 37a displays a screen for changing the password of the default user (hereinafter referred to as the "password change screen") 60 (see FIG. 13) on the display unit 32 (S141).

[0085] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the password change screen 60. As shown in FIG.

[0086] The password change screen 60 shown in Figure 13 includes a text box 61 as a widget for entering the changed password, a change button 62 as a widget for causing the image forming device 30 to change the password of the default user, and a cancel button 63 as a widget for canceling the change of the password of the default user.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 12, when the process of S141 ends, the device control unit 37a determines whether or not the change button 62 has been pressed (S142).

[0088] If the device control unit 37a determines in S142 that the change button 62 has not been pressed, it determines whether the cancel button 63 has been pressed (S143).

[0089] If the device control unit 37a determines in S143 that the cancel button 63 has not been pressed, it executes the process of S142.

[0090] If the device control unit 37a determines in S143 that the cancel button 63 has been pressed, it causes the display unit 32 to stop displaying the password change screen 60 (S144), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0091] If the device control unit 37a determines in S142 that the change button 62 has been pressed, it causes the display unit 32 to end display of the password change screen 60 (S145).

[0092] When the processing of S145 is completed, the device control unit 37a determines whether the password entered in the text box 61 at the time the change button 62 was pressed matches the password of the default user in the user management information 36b (S146).

[0093] If the device control unit 37a determines in S146 that the password entered in the text box 61 at the time the change button 62 was pressed matches the password of the default user in the user management information 36b, it terminates the operation shown in Figure 12.

[0094] If the device control unit 37a determines in S146 that the password entered in the text box 61 at the time the change button 62 was pressed does not match the password of the default user in the user management information 36b, it determines whether the password of the default user in the user management information 36b matches the default password indicated in the default password information 36c (S147).

[0095] If the device control unit 37a determines in S147 that the password of the default user in the user management information 36b does not match the default password indicated in the default password information 36c, it overwrites the password of the default user in the user management information 36b with the password that was entered in the text box 61 at the time the change button 62 was pressed (S148), and terminates the operation shown in Figure 12.

[0096] If the device control unit 37a determines in S147 that the password of the default user in the user management information 36b matches the default password indicated in the default password information 36c, it overwrites the password of the default user in the user management information 36b with the password that was entered in the text box 61 at the time the change button 62 was pressed (S149).

[0097] When the process of S149 ends, the device control unit 37a determines whether or not values ​​exist as the URL and authentication code in the system connection information 36d (S150).

[0098] If the device control unit 37a determines in S150 that there are no values ​​for the URL and authentication code in the system connection information 36d, the operation shown in FIG. 12 ends.

[0099] If the device control unit 37a determines in S150 that values ​​exist for the URL and authentication code in the system connection information 36d, it accesses the URL in the system connection information 36d and sends a request for connection with the device management system 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "connection request") to the device management system 20 (S151), and ends the operation shown in Fig. 12. The device control unit 37a includes the device ID of the image forming device 30 and the authentication code in the system connection information 36d in the connection request in S151.

[0100] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device management system 20 when a connection request is received from an image forming apparatus.

[0101] When the device management unit 25a of the device management system 20 receives a connection request from the image forming apparatus, it executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 14, the device management unit 25a determines whether the combination of the device ID and authentication code in the connection request is included in the device management information 24b (S161).

[0103] If the device management unit 25a determines in S161 that the combination of the device ID and authentication code in the connection request is included in the device management information 24b, it establishes a connection with the image forming device that is the sender of the connection request (S162).

[0104] When the processing of S162 is completed, the device management unit 25a notifies the sender of the connection request that a connection has been established between the device management system 20 and the image forming device that is the sender of the connection request (S163), and then terminates the operation shown in Figure 14.

[0105] If the device management unit 25a determines in S161 that the combination of the device ID and authentication code in the connection request is not included in the device management information 24b, it notifies the sender of the connection request of the refusal to establish a connection between the device management system 20 and the image forming device that is the sender of the connection request (S164), and terminates the operation shown in Figure 14.

[0106] When a system user logs in to the device management system 20 from the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 via a web page provided by the device management system 20, the system user can check various information about the image forming devices managed by the device management system 20 from the web browser 45a via the web page provided by the device management system 20. Furthermore, when a system user logs in to the device management system 20 from the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 via a web page provided by the device management system 20, the system user can perform various operations on the image forming devices managed by the device management system 20, such as rebooting the image forming devices, via the web page provided by the device management system 20 from the web browser 45a.

[0107] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the image forming device 30 is connected to the device management system 20 in response to a system connection operation start instruction will be described.

[0108] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 when a system connection operation start instruction is input.

[0109] When the image forming device 30 is in an operation-unrestricted state, the device user can input a system connection operation start instruction to the image forming device 30 from the operation unit 31. When the system connection operation start instruction is input, the device control unit 37a of the image forming device 30 executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 15, the device control unit 37a displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "system connection screen") 70 (see FIG. 16) for connecting the image forming apparatus 30 to the device management system 20 on the display unit 32 (S181).

[0111] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the system connection screen 70. As shown in FIG.

[0112] 16 includes a text box 71 as a widget for inputting the URL of the device management system 20, a text box 72 as a widget for inputting an authentication code for connecting to the device management system 20, a connect button 73 as a widget for causing the image forming apparatus 30 to connect to the device management system 20, and a cancel button 74 as a widget for canceling the connection to the device management system 20. The URL and authentication code of the device management system 20 are notified in advance to the device user by the system user.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 15, when the process of S181 ends, the device control unit 37a determines whether the connection button 73 has been pressed (S182).

[0114] If the device control unit 37a determines in S182 that the connect button 73 has not been pressed, it determines whether the cancel button 74 has been pressed (S183).

[0115] If the device control unit 37a determines in S183 that the cancel button 74 has not been pressed, it executes the process of S182.

[0116] If the device control unit 37a determines in S183 that the cancel button 74 has been pressed, it causes the display unit 32 to stop displaying the system connection screen 70 (S184), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0117] When the device control unit 37a determines in S182 that the connect button 73 has been pressed, it causes the display unit 32 to end display of the system connection screen 70 (S185).

[0118] When the process of S185 is completed, the device control unit 37a accesses the URL that was entered in the text box 71 at the time the connect button 73 was pressed, and sends a connection request to the device management system 20 (S186). The device control unit 37a includes in the connection request of S186 the device ID of the image forming device 30 and the authentication code that was entered in the text box 72 at the time the connect button 73 was pressed.

[0119] When the device management unit 25a of the device management system 20 receives a connection request from the image forming apparatus, it executes the operation shown in FIG. 14 as described above.

[0120] 15, upon completion of the process of S186, the device control unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 determines whether a connection between the device management system 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 has been established (S187). For example, if the device control unit 37a receives a notification from the device management system 20 that a connection between the device management system 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 has been established within a specific time period after completion of the process of S186, the device control unit 37a may determine that a connection between the device management system 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 has been established. For example, if the device management system 20 receives a notification that the connection between the device management system 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 has been rejected, or if the device control unit 37a does not receive a notification from the device management system 20 that a connection between the device management system 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 has been established within a specific time period after completion of the process of S186, the device control unit 37a may determine that a connection between the device management system 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 has not been established.

[0121] When the device control unit 37a determines in S187 that a connection between the device management system 20 and the image forming device 30 has been established, it overwrites and records the URL and authentication code used in S186 in the system connection information 36d (S188).

[0122] When the device control unit 37a determines in S187 that the connection between the device management system 20 and the image forming device 30 has not been established, or when the process of S188 ends, the operation shown in FIG. 15 ends.

[0123] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the password of the default user of the image forming apparatus 30 is reset in response to a request from the device management system 20 will be described.

[0124] For example, when a device user of the image forming device 30 wishes to perform an operation on the image forming device 30 that requires special authority, the device user of the image forming device 30 may wish to log in to the image forming device 30 as the default user of the image forming device 30. However, there are cases where the device user of the image forming device 30 does not regularly log in to the image forming device 30 as the default user of the image forming device 30. Therefore, when the device user of the image forming device 30 wishes to log in to the image forming device 30 as the default user of the image forming device 30, there are cases where the device user of the image forming device 30 has forgotten the password of the default user of the image forming device 30.

[0125] A device user of the image forming device 30 may wish to reset the password of the default user of the image forming device 30 for various reasons, such as having forgotten the password of the default user of the image forming device 30. When the device user of the image forming device 30 wishes to reset the password of the default user of the image forming device 30, the device user can request a system user to reset the password of the default user of the image forming device 30. The system user can instruct the device management system 20 to reset the password of the default user of the image forming device 30 from the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 via a web page provided by the device management system 20, for various reasons, such as a request from the device user of the image forming device 30 to reset the password of the default user of the image forming device 30.

[0126] When a connection is established between the device management system 20 and the image forming device 30, and an instruction to reset the password of the default user of the image forming device 30 is received from the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 via a web page provided by the device management system 20, the device management unit 25a of the device management system 20 performs the operation shown in Figure 17.

[0127] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device management system 20 when an instruction to reset the password of the default user of the image forming device 30 is issued.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 17, the device management unit 25a transmits a request to reset the password of the default user of the image forming device 30 (hereinafter referred to as a "password reset request") to the image forming device 30 (S201).

[0129] 18 is a flowchart of a part of the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 when a password reset request is received from the device management system 20. FIG. 19 is a flowchart that follows the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0130] When the device control unit 37a of the image forming device 30 receives a password reset request from the device management system 20, it executes the operations shown in FIGS.

[0131] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the device control unit 37a of the image forming device 30 displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "approval screen") 80 (see Figure 20) for obtaining approval for resetting the password of the default user on the display unit 32 (S221).

[0132] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the approval screen 80. As shown in FIG.

[0133] The approval screen 80 shown in Figure 20 includes a message 81 for requesting the device user to approve the reset of the default user's password, an approval button 82 as a widget for approving the reset of the default user's password, and a rejection button 83 as a widget for rejecting the reset of the default user's password.

[0134] 18 and 19, when the process of S221 ends, the device control unit 37a sets the value of a timer (hereinafter referred to as a "notification timer") for notifying the execution status of the process in the image forming apparatus 30 (hereinafter referred to as an "execution status notification") to a specific value (S222). Here, the specific value may be, for example, 10 seconds.

[0135] When the process of S222 ends, the device control unit 37a starts counting down the notification timer (S223).

[0136] When the process of S223 ends, the device control unit 37a determines whether the approval button 82 has been pressed (S224).

[0137] If the device control unit 37a determines in S224 that the approve button 82 has not been pressed, it determines whether the reject button 83 has been pressed (S225).

[0138] If the device control unit 37a determines in S225 that the reject button 83 has not been pressed, it determines whether the value of the notification timer has reached 0 seconds or less (S226).

[0139] If the device control unit 37a determines in S226 that the value of the notification timer is not equal to or less than 0 seconds, it executes the process of S224.

[0140] When the device control unit 37a determines in S226 that the value of the notification timer has become 0 seconds or less, it sends an execution status notification to the device management system 20 indicating that it is waiting for approval of the password reset of the default user (S227).

[0141] When the process of S227 ends, the device control unit 37a executes the process of S222.

[0142] If the device control unit 37a determines in S225 that the reject button 83 has been pressed, it causes the display unit 32 to terminate display of the approval screen 80 (S228).

[0143] When the processing of S228 is completed, the device control unit 37a sends an execution status notification to the device management system 20 indicating that the reset of the password of the default user has been rejected (S229), and terminates the operation shown in Figures 18 and 19.

[0144] When the device control unit 37a determines in S224 that the approval button 82 has been pressed, it causes the display unit 32 to end display of the approval screen 80 (S230).

[0145] When the process of S230 is completed, the device control unit 37a issues an execution status notification to the device management system 20 indicating that the reset of the password of the default user has been approved (S231).

[0146] When the process of S231 ends, the device control unit 37a starts a process of writing the default password indicated in the default password information 36c as the password of the default user in the user management information 36b (S232).

[0147] When the process of S232 ends, the device control unit 37a sets the value of the notification timer to a specific value (S233). Here, the specific value may be, for example, 10 seconds.

[0148] When the process of S233 ends, the device control unit 37a starts counting down the notification timer (S234).

[0149] When the process of S234 ends, the device control unit 37a determines whether the process of writing the default password indicated in the default password information 36c to the password of the default user in the user management information 36b has ended (S235).

[0150] If the device control unit 37a determines in S235 that the process of writing the default password indicated in the default password information 36c to the password of the default user in the user management information 36b has not been completed, it determines whether the value of the notification timer has become 0 seconds or less (S236).

[0151] If the device control unit 37a determines in S236 that the value of the notification timer is not equal to or less than 0 seconds, it executes the process of S235.

[0152] When the device control unit 37a determines in S236 that the value of the notification timer has become 0 seconds or less, it sends an execution status notification to the device management system 20 indicating that a password reset for the default user is currently being executed (S237).

[0153] When the process of S237 ends, the device control unit 37a executes the process of S233.

[0154] When the device control unit 37a determines in S235 that the process of writing the default password indicated in the default password information 36c to the password of the default user in the user management information 36b has been completed, it sends an execution status notification to the device management system 20 indicating that the reset of the default user's password has been completed (S238).

[0155] When the process of S238 ends, the device control unit 37a disconnects the connection between the device management system 20 and the image forming device 30 (S239), and ends the operations shown in FIGS.

[0156] 17, when the process of S201 is completed, the device management unit 25a of the device management system 20 sets the value of a timer for determining whether a timeout has occurred (hereinafter referred to as the "timeout determination timer") to a specific value (S202). Here, the specific value may be, for example, 60 seconds.

[0157] When the process of S202 is completed, the device management unit 25a starts counting down the timeout determination timer (S203).

[0158] When the process of S203 is completed, the device management unit 25a determines whether or not an execution status notification has been received from the image forming device 30 (S204).

[0159] If the device management unit 25a determines in S204 that it has not received an execution status notification from the image forming apparatus 30, it determines whether the value of the timeout determination timer has reached 0 seconds or less (S205).

[0160] If the device management unit 25a determines in S205 that the value of the timeout determination timer is not equal to or less than 0 seconds, the device management unit 25a executes the process of S204.

[0161] When the equipment management unit 25a determines in S205 that the value of the timeout determination timer has become 0 seconds or less, it displays the timeout on the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 via a web page provided by the equipment management system 20 (S206), and terminates the operation shown in Figure 17.

[0162] When the device management unit 25a receives an execution status notification from the image forming device 30 in S204, it displays the status indicated in the execution status notification received from the image forming device 30 on the web browser 45a of the user terminal 40 via a web page provided by the device management system 20 (S207).

[0163] When the processing of S207 is completed, the device management unit 25a determines whether the execution status notification received from the image forming device 30 is an execution status notification indicating that the reset of the default user's password has been rejected, or an execution status notification indicating that the reset of the default user's password has been completed (S208).

[0164] If the device management unit 25a determines in S208 that the execution status notification received from the image forming device 30 is neither an execution status notification indicating that the reset of the default user's password has been rejected nor an execution status notification indicating that the reset of the default user's password has been completed, the device management unit 25a executes the processing of S202.

[0165] If the device management unit 25a determines in S208 that the execution status notification received from the image forming device 30 is an execution status notification indicating that the reset of the default user's password has been rejected, or an execution status notification indicating that the reset of the default user's password has been completed, the device management unit 25a terminates the operation shown in Figure 17.

[0166] As described above, when the image forming device 30 receives a request to reset the password of the default user, it resets the password of the default user to the default value (S232). Therefore, there is no need for a service person to visit the location where the image forming device 30 is installed and have the service person perform the operation to reset the password of the default user to the default value on the image forming device 30, or for the user of the image forming device 30 to contact customer support or the like to understand the operation to reset the password of the default user to the default value and then perform the operation to reset the password of the default user to the default value on the image forming device 30, thereby shortening the time required to reset the password of the default user to the default value.

[0167] When the image forming device 30 receives a request to reset the password of the default user, it requests approval for the reset of the password of the default user from the user of the image forming device 30 (S221), and if approval for the reset of the password of the default user is obtained from the user of the image forming device 30 (YES in S224), it resets the password of the default user to the default value (S232), so that the password of the default user can be safely reset to the default value.

[0168] When the password of the default user is the default value (YES in S101), the image forming apparatus 30 restricts the acceptance of operations other than specific operations (S102), thereby improving security performance.

[0169] The image forming device 30 receives a request to reset the password of the default user from the device management system 20 that manages the image forming device 30, and when the password of the default user is reset to the default value (YES in S235), the image forming device 30 disconnects from the device management system 20 (S239).Therefore, when the default user's password is the default value and therefore acceptance of operations other than specific operations is restricted, it is possible to prevent operations from being performed from the device management system 20, thereby improving security performance.

[0170] When the password of the default user is changed from the default value, the image forming device 30 automatically reconnects to the device management system 20 (S151), thereby improving convenience.

[0171] In this embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention is an image forming apparatus, but the electronic device of the present invention may be an electronic device other than an image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0172] 20 Equipment management system (computer) 24a Equipment Management Program 30 Image forming equipment (electronic equipment) 36a Equipment Control Program

Claims

1. An electronic device characterized by resetting the password of a default user to a default value when a request to reset the password for logging into the electronic device is received from the default user of the electronic device.

2. When a request to reset the password of the default user is received, a request is made to a user of the electronic device to approve the reset of the password of the default user; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the password of the default user is reset to the default value when approval for resetting the password of the default user is obtained from the user of the electronic device.

3. 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein acceptance of operations other than specific operations is restricted when the password of the default user is the default value.

4. receiving a request to reset the password of the default user from a device management system that manages the electronic device; 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the connection with the device management system is cut off when the password of the default user is reset to the default value.

5. 5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein when the password of the default user is changed from the default value, the electronic device automatically reconnects to the device management system.

6. A device management system for managing electronic devices, A device management system comprising: a device management system that transmits to the electronic device a request for resetting a password for logging in to the electronic device by a default user who is a default user of the electronic device.

7. A device control program executed by an electronic device, A device control program characterized by causing an electronic device to reset the password of a default user, who is the default user of the electronic device, to a default value when the electronic device receives a request to reset the password for logging into the electronic device.

8. A device management program for managing electronic devices, A device management program that causes a computer to transmit to the electronic device a request to reset a password for logging into the electronic device of a default user who is a default user of the electronic device.

Images