Image forming apparatus, method for controlling image forming apparatus, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: a user is required to conduct, through an operation unit, registration of user information necessary for using the apparatus, and the registration of the user information conducted by the user has a large workload, which may cause the occurrence of an operation error.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus reads a sheet on which character strings are printed, extracts the character strings from the read sheet, generates log-in information for logging in to the image forming apparatus from the extracted character strings, and registers the generated log-in information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method for an image forming apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The personal information of the user who uses the image forming device is registered by operating the touch panel of the image forming device, and authentication is performed when using the image forming device to use the functions of the image forming device. Patent Document 1 describes a method of registering a user in a multifunction device, in which the user registers the user in an address book from the operation panel of the multifunction device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-335215 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the user must register user information necessary to use the device via an operation unit. Registering user information by the user is a heavy workload and may result in operational errors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a reading unit that reads a sheet on which a character string is printed, an extracting unit that extracts the character string from the sheet read by the reading unit, a generating unit that generates login information for logging into the image forming apparatus from the character string extracted by the extracting unit, and a registering unit that registers the login information generated by the generating unit. The present invention is characterized by having the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden of registering login information in an image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a client terminal according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the entire printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a user registration process of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entry on an identification card in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the entire printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a description of a registered job according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the sequence of the entire printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a temporary registration process of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a main registration process of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a user information update process of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a description of a registered job according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the sequence of the entire printing system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a user information registration process of the image forming apparatus 102 that has received user information according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a user information registration process of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the entire printing system according to the present invention.

[0010] The client terminal 101 has a function of issuing execution instructions such as printing and scanning to the image forming apparatus 102 using a browser or the like. Note that the client terminal 101 is assumed to be a personal computer or a mobile terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this form.

[0011] The image forming device 102 has a scanning function that can acquire image data from a recording medium installed in the device. Furthermore, the image forming device 102 has a user management function that authenticates users of the image forming device 102 and restricts the use of functions such as printing and scanning.

[0012] One or more client terminals 101 and one or more image forming apparatuses 102 are connected via a network 100 .

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the client terminal 101 according to the present invention.

[0014] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 200 controls the entire device. The CPU 200 executes programs stored in a ROM 202 or a secondary storage device 205, and temporarily stores information required for executing the programs in a RAM 201. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 201 is a storage means that temporarily stores information required for executing the programs. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 is a storage means that stores various data such as basic I / O programs.

[0015] The network interface 203 enables the client terminal 101 to communicate with other client terminals 101 and the image forming apparatus 102. Both wired and wireless communication methods are supported. The system bus 204 connects the various devices within the client terminal 101 and transmits control commands from the CPU 200 to the entire client terminal 101. The secondary storage device 205 is an external storage means and functions as a large-capacity memory. Specifically, the secondary storage device 205 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, etc., and stores programs for a web browser and a group of service servers, etc.

[0016] The keyboard 206 is an instruction input means. The display 207 is a display means, and by connecting to the image forming apparatus 102, it is possible to view setting information related to the image forming apparatus 102. The interface 208 is an external device I / F, and can be connected to the image forming apparatus 102 and peripheral devices such as USB devices.

[0017] The above configuration is merely an example, and is not limited to the configuration example shown in Fig. 2. For example, it is also possible to specify the RAM 201 as the storage destination for the program, and have the CPU 200 process it.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the present invention.

[0019] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 300 controls the entire device. The CPU 300 executes programs stored in a ROM 302 or a secondary storage device 308, and temporarily stores information required for executing the programs in a RAM 301. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 301 is a storage means that temporarily stores information required for executing the programs. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 302 is a storage means that stores various data such as basic I / O programs.

[0020] A network interface 303 enables the image forming apparatus 102 to communicate with the client terminal 101 and other image forming apparatuses 102. Both wired and wireless communication methods are supported. A system bus 304 connects the various devices within the image forming apparatus 102 and transmits control commands from the CPU 300 to the entire image forming apparatus 102. A device controller 305 controls devices such as a printer 306 and a scanner 307 based on control commands received from the CPU 300.

[0021] The printer 306 executes jobs such as printing. The scanner 307 scans a recording medium installed in the image forming apparatus 102. The secondary storage device 308 corresponds to a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. The input / output interface 309 transmits signals received from the input / output device 310 to each unit within the image forming apparatus 102.

[0022] The input / output device 310 represents a plurality of components that handle input and output in the image forming apparatus 102. Specifically, the input / output device 310 includes a touch panel, hard keys, etc., and receives input from a user and transmits a signal corresponding to the input to each unit in the image forming apparatus 102 via the input / output interface 309.

[0023] 4 is a diagram showing the software configuration in this embodiment. The driver 400 is a function included in the client terminal 101. The driver 400 generates a job for controlling the image forming apparatus 102 and transmits the job to the image forming apparatus 102 via the network interface 203, thereby operating the image forming apparatus 102.

[0024] The scanning unit 401 scans an identification card installed in the image forming apparatus 102 and acquires image data of the identification card. The scanning unit 401 is executed when the scanner 307 is operated in response to a job sent from the driver 400 or a signal sent from the input / output device 310.

[0025] The extraction processing unit 402 performs OCR (Optical Character Reader) processing on the image data acquired by the scanning unit 401 to acquire text information contained in the image data. Thereafter, the extraction processing unit 402 acquires a predetermined character string from the text information. Specifically, the predetermined character string includes a name, a personal identification number, date information indicating an expiration date, etc. Note that the process of acquiring text information from image data may be performed using a method other than OCR.

[0026] The user information generation unit 403 uses the predetermined character strings acquired by the extraction processing unit 402 to generate user information required for logging in to the image forming apparatus 102. Specifically, the user information generation unit 403 selects one of the predetermined character strings as a user ID and the other character strings as an initial password, and generates user information that holds a combination of the user ID and the initial password. The user information generation unit 403 also assigns a hash value to the user information to uniquely identify it. Once the generation of the user information is complete, the user information generation unit 403 stores the generated user information in the secondary storage device 308.

[0027] An example of the user information (login information) generated by the user information generating unit 403 is shown below.

[0028] [Table 1]

[0029] "User ID" is a column for storing a value for identifying the user of the image forming apparatus 102. In this example, the user information generation unit 403 selects information corresponding to a name from the text information acquired by the extraction processing unit 402 as a first character string, and sets it as the value of the "User ID" column.

[0030] The "password" column is a column for storing the initial value of the password required when the person printed on the identification card logs in to the image forming apparatus 102. In this example, the user information generation unit 403 selects, from the text information acquired by the extraction processing unit 402, information corresponding to the personal number that can uniquely identify the person printed on the identification card as a second character string, and sets this as the value of the "password" column. Note that the value of the "password" column is not limited to the personal number printed on the identification card. For example, other information printed on the identification card, such as the expiration date of the identification card, may also be used.

[0031] "HashKey" is a column that stores a hash value for uniquely identifying user information.

[0032] A user of the image forming apparatus 102 can log in to the image forming apparatus 102 by inputting values ​​in the “user ID” column and the “initial password” column from the input / output device 310 .

[0033] An external communication unit 404 communicates with the client terminal 101 and receives a job generated by the driver 400. As a result, the image forming device 102 operates a scanning unit 401, a printing unit 405, a copying unit 406, and a box unit 407 according to the content of the received job, and provides each function of the image forming device 102 to the user.

[0034] The user information management unit 408 refers to the secondary storage device 308 and manages all the user information in Table 1 as a "user table." The user information management unit 408 then uses the user table to perform login processing to the image forming apparatus 102, display of the user information in Table 1 via the input / output device 310, and processing to change setting values. An example of the user table is shown below.

[0035] [Table 2]

[0036] Each column in the user table is the same as each column in the user information in Table 1, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of user registration processing of the image forming apparatus 102 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart in Fig. 5 is implemented by the CPU 300 of the image forming apparatus 102 reading into the RAM 301 and executing the programs for implementing the software modules stored in the ROM 302 or the secondary storage device 308. The processing flow in Fig. 5 is started when the scan unit 401 is started by a signal sent from the input / output device 310 or a scan instruction sent from the driver 400.

[0038] In S500, the scanning unit 401 scans (reads) a sheet (e.g., an identification card) on which a character string is printed and placed on the scanner 307, and acquires image data. In S501, the extraction processing unit 402 extracts text information from the image data acquired in S500. Here, the extracted text information will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an identification card that is scanned by the image forming apparatus 102 in the present invention.

[0040] Name 600 indicates the name of the ID holder. Gender 601 indicates the gender of the ID holder, and includes options other than male and female (for example, "other"). Date of birth 602 indicates the date of birth of the ID holder. Expiration date 603 is date information indicating the expiration date of the ID. Note that the format of the date information is not limited to the example shown in Figure 6. For example, it also includes formats such as "YYYYMMDDThhmmss" defined in ISO8601.

[0041] The issuer 605 indicates the issuer of the identification card. The nationality number 606 is a number uniquely assigned to the owner of the identification card. Note that the number is not limited to the nationality number, as long as it is written on the identification card to be scanned and is uniquely assigned to the owner of the identification card. For example, in the case of an employee ID card indicating affiliation to a company, an employee number may be used.

[0042] The language display of the information from name 600 to national number 606 is not limited.

[0043] Now, let us return to the explanation of FIG.

[0044] The text information extracted in S501 includes all the character information written on the identification card, from the name 600 to the national number 606 in FIG.

[0045] In S502, the extraction processing unit 402 determines whether or not text information was extracted in S501. If it is determined that text information was extracted, that is, if at least one piece of information from the name 600 to the national number 606 was extracted, the processing flow in Fig. 5 transitions to step S503. If text information could not be extracted, that is, if all information from the name 600 to the national number 606 could not be extracted, the processing flow in Fig. 5 ends.

[0046] In S503, the extraction processing unit 402 extracts, from the text information acquired in S501, character strings required to generate the user information listed in Table 1. Specifically, the extraction processing unit 402 extracts, from the text information, information corresponding to the name 600 as a first character string, and information corresponding to the national number 606 or the expiration date 604 as a second character string.

[0047] In S504, the extraction processing unit 402 determines whether both the first character string and the second character string were extracted in S503. If it is determined that they were extracted, the processing flow in Fig. 5 proceeds to step S505. If they were not extracted, the processing flow in Fig. 5 ends.

[0048] In S505, the user information generation unit 403 generates the user information shown in Table 1 using the first character string and the second character string extracted in S503. Specifically, the user information generation unit 403 assigns the first character string to the value of the "User ID" column and the second character string to the value of the "Password" column. The user information generation unit 403 also hashes the second character string and assigns the obtained value to the value of the "HashKey" column.

[0049] In S506, the user information generation unit 403 stores the user information in Table 1 generated in S505 in the secondary storage device 308. Note that the user information may also be stored in the storage unit of the client terminal 101. In S507, the input / output device 310 displays the values ​​of the "user ID" column and the "password" column of the user information generated in S505.

[0050] The registered user information is used to log in the user to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus prints an image associated with the logged-in user.

[0051] 5, user information can be generated directly from information written on an identification card. This eliminates the need for the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 to correct input errors in the user information. Furthermore, since the operation of the input / output device 310 during user information registration can be minimized, user information can be registered efficiently.

[0052] As described above, this embodiment can reduce the workload of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 when registering user information.

[0053] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, information written on an identification card is extracted and used as is to generate user information.

[0054] However, in the first embodiment, even a person who has not received permission to use the image forming apparatus 102 from the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 can register user information, which may result in more user information than necessary being registered in the image forming apparatus 102. In order to restrict the users of the image forming apparatus 102, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 must register the user information himself, but this does not sufficiently reduce the workload of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 in registering user information.

[0055] In view of these problems, in the second embodiment, an administrator of the image forming device 102 creates a job to enable the processing flow described in FIG. 5, and a user who has obtained permission from the administrator can use the job to register user information.

[0056] 7 is a diagram showing the software configuration in this embodiment. The external communication unit 404, print unit 405, copy unit 406, box unit 407, and user information management unit 408 have the same functions as those shown in FIG. 4 and correspond to the numbers, and therefore their explanations will be omitted.

[0057] A password generation unit 700, a registered job generation unit 701, and a registered job transmission unit 702 are functions included in the driver 400. The password generation unit 700 generates a password for validating a job (hereinafter referred to as a registered job) that executes the processing flow shown in FIG. 5. There is no restriction on the format of the password value generated by the password generation unit 700. The registered job generation unit 701 generates a registered job. Here, the registered job will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[0058] 8 is an example of a setting screen for a registered job displayed on the display 207. A login device name 800 is an item that displays the name of the image forming apparatus 102 that executes the registered job. A device IP 801 is an item that displays the IP address of the image forming apparatus 102 that executes the registered job.

[0059] The registered job activation password 802 is an item for inputting a password for activating a registered job on the image forming apparatus 102. The job send button 803 is a button for sending a registered job to the image forming apparatus 102 displayed in the login device name 800. The job send button 803 can be pressed only when a password has been entered in the registered job activation password 802 input field.

[0060] Now, let us return to the explanation of FIG.

[0061] When a password is set using the registration job validation password 802 and a job transmission button 803 is pressed, the registration job transmission unit 702 transmits the registration job to the image forming apparatus 102 entered in the login device name 800. The registration job is transmitted to the registration job execution unit 703 via the external communication unit 404.

[0062] The registered job execution unit 703 is a function for executing a registered job received from the registered job transmission unit 702. The registered job execution unit 703 includes a registered job authentication unit 703-1, a scanning unit 703-2, an extraction processing unit 703-3, and a user information generation unit 703-4.

[0063] The registered job authentication unit 703-1 performs authentication to validate the registered job. If the content input via the input / output device 310 matches the password set in the registered job validation password 802, the registered job authentication unit 703-1 permits use of the registered job. Once use of the registered job is permitted, a person wishing to use the image forming apparatus 102 can scan their identification card with the scanning unit 703-2 and register their user information via the extraction processing unit 703-3 and user information generation unit 703-4.

[0064] The scanning unit 703-2, extraction processing unit 703-3, and user information generating unit 703-4 are similar to the scanning unit 401, extraction processing unit 402, and user information generating unit 403, respectively, and therefore will not be described here.

[0065] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the processing sequence of the entire printing system in this embodiment.

[0066] Steps S901 to S903 are started when the driver 400 is started on the client terminal 101.

[0067] In S901, the password generation unit 700 generates a password to be assigned to the registered job. In S902, the registered job generation unit 701 generates the registered job shown in Fig. 8. In S903, the registered job transmission unit 702 transmits the registered job generated in S902 to the image forming apparatus 102 listed in the login device name 800.

[0068] Steps S904 and S905 are started when the image forming apparatus 102 receives a registration job from the client terminal 101.

[0069] In S904, the registered job authentication unit 703-1 of the registered job execution unit 703 performs authentication to validate the registered job. If the value input from the input / output device 310 matches the password set for the registered job, the registered job authentication unit 703-1 validates the registered job, and the process flow in Fig. 9 proceeds to S905. If they do not match, the process flow in Fig. 9 ends.

[0070] In S905, the registration job execution unit 703 executes the registration job and generates user information from the information written on the identification card. In S905, steps S500 to S506 are executed.

[0071] In S906, the input / output device 310 displays the user information generated in S905.

[0072] 9, a user who has obtained a password from the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 can register user information on the image forming apparatus 102 by himself / herself. In other words, part of the user information registration work can be delegated to a user who wishes to use the image forming apparatus 102. Furthermore, because only users who have obtained permission from the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 can register user information, it is possible to prevent unnecessary user information from being registered.

[0073] As described above, this embodiment can reduce the workload of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 in user registration work.

[0074] (Embodiment 3) In the first embodiment, a form is provided in which user information is created from information extracted from an identification card and registered in the image forming apparatus 102.

[0075] However, in the first embodiment, there is a possibility that user information may be registered unnecessarily. For example, there may be a case where user information is registered but the user never logs in to the image forming apparatus 102 afterwards. In such a case, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 must set permissions for user information that is never used or delete the user information, which increases the workload of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0076] In view of such problems, in the third embodiment, when new user information is registered, the user information is temporarily registered, and when the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 102 for the first time, the initial password of the user information is changed before the user performs the actual registration. In addition, the third embodiment aims to provide a form in which only the officially registered user information is displayed on the input / output device 310.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the provisional registration process of user information in this embodiment.

[0078] The implementation method and start conditions of the flowchart in FIG. 10 are the same as those in the flowchart in FIG. 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Steps S1000 to S1004 are the same as steps S500 to S504, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In S1005, the user information generation unit 403 generates user information. At that time, the user information generation unit 403 assigns a parameter indicating the registration status to the user information. An example of the user information generated in S1005 is shown below.

[0079] [Table 3]

[0080] The "User ID" column is equivalent to the "User ID" column of the user information in Table 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The "Password" column is a column for storing the password required for logging in to the image forming apparatus 102. In S1005, the national ID number 606 or the expiration date 604 is stored in this column as the initial password.

[0081] The "Status" column is a column that stores a value indicating the registration status of user information. If the value is "Provisonal", it indicates that the user information is in a provisionally registered state. If the value is "Active", it indicates that the user information is in a fully registered state. Only user information with the value "Active" is displayed on the input / output device 310 and is subject to management such as changes to setting values ​​via the user information management unit 408.

[0082] Steps S1006 to S1007 are the same as steps S506 to S507, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In step S1006, when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus, user information is registered.

[0083] 11 is a flowchart showing the main registration process of user information in this embodiment. Steps S1100 to S1106 are executed when the user information management unit 408 receives a signal related to the login process from the input / output device 310. In S1100, the user information management unit 408 acquires the user ID and password for logging in to the image forming apparatus 102 from the input / output device 310.

[0084] In S1101, the user information management unit 408 authenticates the logged-in user. If the combination of user ID and password received in S1100 matches the combination of values ​​in the "User ID" column and "Password" column listed in the status-added user information in Table 3, it is determined that authentication is successful and the process proceeds to step S1102. If the combination of user ID and password does not match, that is, if authentication has failed, the process flow in FIG. 11 ends.

[0085] In S1102, the user information management unit 408 checks the status of the user information authenticated in S1101. If the value in the "Status" column of the user information with status in Table 3 is "Provisonal," that is, if the user information is in a provisionally registered state, the process proceeds to step S1103. If the value in the "Status" column is "Active," the process flow in FIG. 11 ends.

[0086] In S1103, the user information management unit 408 acquires a new password via the input / output device 310. In S1104, the user information management unit 408 determines whether the password set in the status-included user information and the password acquired in S1103 do not match. If it is determined that they do not match, the processing flow in FIG. 11 transitions to step S1105. If it is determined that they match, the processing flow in FIG. 11 returns to step S1103.

[0087] In S1105, the user information management unit 408 performs an update process for the status-attached user information. First, the value in the "password" column of the status-attached user information is updated to the password acquired in S1103. Furthermore, the value in the "status" column of the status-attached user information is updated to "Active."

[0088] In S1106, the input / output device 310 displays the user information updated in S1105. Specifically, the input / output device 310 displays the user ID of the user information and the new password updated in S1105.

[0089] As described above, according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 11, only users who actually use the image forming apparatus 102 can be subject to user information management by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0090] As described above, this embodiment can reduce the burden of user information management work on the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0091] (Embodiment 4) In the first embodiment, a form is provided in which new user information is created from information extracted from an identification card and registered in the image forming apparatus 102.

[0092] However, in the first embodiment, when the information on a user's identification card is updated and the user information is registered again by scanning the identification card, a problem occurs in that both the old and new user information are registered in the image forming apparatus 102. As a result, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 must operate the image forming apparatus 102 to delete the old user information. Alternatively, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 can change the settings of the registered user information via the user information management unit 408. In either case, when the information on the identification card is updated, a workload is imposed on the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0093] In view of such problems, the fourth embodiment aims to provide a form that enables updating of user information when information written on an identification card is updated.

[0094] 12 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the user information update process of the image forming apparatus 102 in this embodiment. The implementation method and start conditions of the flowchart in FIG. 12 are the same as those of the flowchart in FIG. 5, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0095] S1200 to S1204 are the same as S500 to S504, and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0096] In S1205, the user information generation unit 403 determines whether the owner of the identification scanned in S1200 is registered as a user in the image forming apparatus 102. Specifically, the user information generation unit 403 accesses the user table of Table 2 held by the user information management unit 408. The user information generation unit 403 then searches the "HashKey" column of the user table and attempts to acquire user information in Table 1 that has the same value as the hash value of the national identification number 606 extracted in S1203. If the user information can be acquired, the processing flow in FIG. 12 transitions to step S1206. If the user information cannot be acquired, the processing flow in FIG. 12 transitions to step S1207.

[0097] In S1206, the user information generation unit 403 updates the user information in Table 1. Specifically, the user information generation unit 403 replaces the value in the "user ID" column of the user information in Table 1 with the character string corresponding to the name 600 acquired in S1203.

[0098] Steps S1207 and S1208 are equivalent to steps S505 and S506, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] In S1209, the input / output device 310 displays the values ​​of the "user ID" column and the "password" column of the user information. Specifically, if the transition to this step is made from S1206, the input / output device 310 displays the new name 600 and the unchanged password. If the transition to this step is made from S1209, the input / output device 310 displays the name 600 and the national number 606 or the expiration date 604.

[0100] As described above, by scanning the identification card according to the flowchart in FIG. 12, the user information update process can be performed.

[0101] As described above, this embodiment can reduce the workload of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 when updating information on an identification card.

[0102] (Embodiment 5) In the second embodiment, a job for validating the processing flow shown in FIG. 5 is introduced to provide a form in which the user information registration work is delegated to the person who wishes to use the image forming apparatus 102.

[0103] However, in the second embodiment, if there are multiple image forming apparatuses 102 for which user information is to be registered, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 needs to issue the registration job shown in Fig. 8 for each of the image forming apparatuses 102. As a result, the burden of user information registration work on the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 increases.

[0104] Furthermore, if there are differences in the user information for the same user across multiple image forming devices 102, this can confuse the administrators of the image forming devices 102. For example, if the full name of a user is set on one image forming device 102, but only the last name is set on another image forming device 102, it will be difficult for the administrators of the image forming devices 102 to determine whether the users are the same person.

[0105] In consideration of such problems, the fifth embodiment aims to provide a form in which a registration job is sent to multiple image forming devices 102, and when the registration job is executed on one of the image forming devices 102, user information is shared with the other image forming devices 102.

[0106] FIG. 13 shows an example of a setting screen for a registered job displayed on the display 207 in this embodiment.

[0107] The login device name 1300 is a check box that displays the identification information of one or more image forming devices 102 to which the registration job is to be sent. This allows the registration job to be sent to multiple image forming devices 102 simultaneously.

[0108] A registered job validation password 1301 and a job transmission button 1302 are equivalent to the registered job validation password 802 and the job transmission button 803 in FIG. 8, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0109] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the overall sequence in this embodiment. Step S1401 is the same as step S901, so a description thereof will be omitted. In step S1402, the registration job generation unit 701 generates the registration job shown in Fig. 13. In step S1403, the registration job transmission unit 702 transmits the registration job shown in Fig. 13 to all image forming apparatuses 102 selected by the login device name 1300.

[0110] Steps S1404 to S1406 are executed by the image forming apparatus 102-1. The image forming apparatus 102-1 refers to the single image forming apparatus 102 that received the registration job in S1403 and in which the registration job execution unit 703 has started the registration job.

[0111] Since step S1404 is the same as step S904, a description thereof will be omitted. In step S1405, the registration job execution unit 703 executes the processing flow shown in Fig. 12 to newly register or update user information. In step S1406, the input / output device 310 displays the user information newly registered or updated in step S1405.

[0112] In S1407, the user information management unit 408 of the image forming apparatus 102-1 transmits the user information registered in S1405 to one or more image forming apparatuses 102-2 via the external communication unit 404. Here, the image forming apparatus 102-2 refers to one or more image forming apparatuses 102 that were selected by the login device name 1300 and received the registration job but did not start the registration job.

[0113] In S1408, the image forming apparatus 102-2 stores the user information received from the image forming apparatus 102-1 in the secondary storage device 308.

[0114] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the process when the image forming apparatus 102-2 receives user information from the image forming apparatus 102-1 and registers the user information.

[0115] In S1500, the user information management unit 408 of the image forming apparatus 102-2 refers to the secondary storage device 308 and acquires the user table shown in Table 2.

[0116] In S1501, the user information management unit 408 of the image forming apparatus 102-2 determines whether the value of the "HashKey" column of the user information received in S1406 is included in the "HashKey" column of the user table. If it is determined that the value is included, the flow chart in Fig. 15 transitions to step S1502. If it is determined that the value is not included, the flow chart in Fig. 15 transitions to step S1503.

[0117] In S1502, the user information management unit 408 of the image forming apparatus 102-2 updates the user information and stores the updated user information in the secondary storage device 308. Specifically, the user information management unit 408 of the image forming apparatus 102-2 replaces the value of the "user ID" column of the registered user information with the value of the "user ID" column of the received user information.

[0118] In S1503, the user information management unit 408 of the image forming apparatus 102-2 adds the user information and stores the user information in the secondary storage device 308. Specifically, the user information management unit 408 of the image forming apparatus 102-2 stores the user information received in S1406 in the secondary storage device 308 as is.

[0119] As described above, by using the registration job in Fig. 13, the sequence diagram in Fig. 14, and the flowchart in Fig. 15, user information can be registered in multiple image forming devices 102. Furthermore, the content of user information for the same person can be synchronized between multiple image forming devices 102.

[0120] As described above, according to this embodiment, when there are multiple image forming devices 102, it is possible to reduce the user registration workload on the administrator of each image forming device 102. It is also possible to eliminate the risk of confusion on the administrator of each image forming device 102 due to the content of user information for the same person differing between the multiple image forming devices 102.

[0121] (Embodiment 6) In the second embodiment, a job for validating the processing flow shown in FIG. 5 is introduced to provide a form in which the user information registration work is delegated to the person who wishes to use the image forming apparatus 102.

[0122] However, in the second embodiment, the administrator of the image forming device 102 must grant authorization to use the functions of the image forming device 102 to each user information for each user registered in the image forming device 102, which places a heavy workload on the administrator.

[0123] In consideration of such problems, the present embodiment aims to provide a form in which authority to use the functions of the image forming device 102 is granted to user information based on a registered job activation password 802 set in the registered job.

[0124] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the user information registration process of this embodiment.

[0125] The implementation method and starting conditions of the flowchart in Fig. 16 are the same as those of the flowchart in Fig. 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Steps S1600 to S1604 are the same as steps S500 to S504, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0126] In step S1605, the user information generation unit 703-4 acquires, from the user information management unit 408, an authority map that holds the authority required to use the functions of the image forming apparatus 102 corresponding to the registered job validation password 802. An example of the authority map is shown below.

[0127] [Table 4]

[0128] The “authority setting” column is a column that stores built-in setting values ​​of the authority required to use the functions of the image forming apparatus 102 .

[0129] The "Password" column is a column that stores the password set in the registered job activation password 802. In S1606, the user information generation unit 703-4 determines whether the password set in the registered job activation password 802 exists in the "Password" column of the authority map in Table 4. If it is determined that the password exists, the flowchart in FIG. 16 transitions to step S1607. If it is determined that the password does not exist, the flowchart in FIG. 16 transitions to step S1608.

[0130] In S1607, the user information generation unit 703-4 obtains the authority setting corresponding to the registered job activation password 802 from the authority map in Table 4. For example, if "1111" is set as the registered job activation password 802, the user information generation unit 703-4 obtains the authority setting that permits the use of all of the print, copy, box, and scan functions.

[0131] In S1608, the user information generation unit 703-4 generates user information with authority settings using the first and second character strings extracted in S1503 and the authority settings acquired in S1607. An example of user information with authority settings is shown below. It is assumed that the registered job validation password is set to "1111".

[0132] [Table 5]

[0133] The "User ID" column and "Password" column are equivalent to the "User ID" column and "Password" column of the user information in Table 1, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0134] The "authority setting" column is a column for storing the authority setting acquired in S1607. If the process moves directly from S1606 to S1608, the value of the "authority setting" column will be empty.

[0135] In S1609, the user information generation unit 703-4 stores the user information with authority settings of Table 5 generated in S1608 in the secondary storage device 308. In S1610, the input / output device 310 displays all columns and the values ​​of each column of the user information with authority settings of Table 5 generated in S1608.

[0136] As described above, according to the flowchart of FIG. 15, user information to which authority to use the functions of the image forming apparatus 102 is granted can be generated.

[0137] As described above, this embodiment can reduce the workload of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102 when granting authorization to user information.

[0138] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, reading means for reading a sheet on which a character string is printed; extraction means for extracting character strings from the sheet read by the reading means; a generation unit that generates login information for logging in to the image forming apparatus from the character string extracted by the extraction unit; a registration means for registering the login information generated by the generation means; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a login unit for logging in to the image forming apparatus based on the login information registered by the registration unit.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character string is personal information.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is an identification card.

5. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a printing unit that prints an image associated with a user who has logged in through said login unit.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an update unit that, when login information has already been registered by the registration unit and the login information is generated, updates the registered login information with the generated login information.

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the login information includes user information and a password.

8. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a reading step of reading a sheet on which a character string is printed; an extraction step of extracting a character string from the sheet read by the reading step; a generating step of generating login information for logging in to the image forming apparatus from the character string extracted in the extracting step; a registration step of registering the login information generated by the generation step; 1. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising:

9. 9. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a login step of logging in to the image forming apparatus based on the login information registered in the registration step.

10. 9. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the character string is personal information.

11. 9. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sheet is an identification card.

12. 10. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a printing step of printing an image associated with the user logged in at the login step.

13. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an update step of updating the registered login information with the generated login information when the login information is generated while the login information has already been registered by the registration step.

14. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the login information includes user information and a password.

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