Image forming apparatus and communication application

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and a communication application allowing a plurality of users to access cloud servers respectively from the image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: In a communication system in which a plurality of pieces of user equipment communicate with an image forming apparatus and a plurality of cloud servers via a network, the image forming apparatus 10 comprises an apparatus communication unit, and a user information registration unit. The apparatus communication unit performs communication with the plurality of cloud servers and first user equipment 21 and second user equipment 22 used by a first user 41 and a second user 42, registers user information corresponding to the users in the user information registration unit, and registers, in the user information registration unit, one or more pieces of user information received from the pieces of user equipment through the apparatus communication unit. The apparatus communication unit accesses the cloud servers as the users corresponding to the user information, by using any one of the pieces of user information registered in the user information registration unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a communication application. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus for implementing a cloud connected printer. The apparatus in Patent Document 1 includes processing circuitry that establishes a connection between the printer and a network. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0258433 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the device of Patent Document 1, a connection is made between the printer and the network, but if multiple users each use a cloud server, each user cannot access each cloud server from the printer.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus and a communication application that allow multiple users to access a cloud server from each of the image forming apparatuses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a device communication unit and a user information registration unit. The device communication unit communicates with a cloud server and one or more user devices used by users of the cloud server. User information corresponding to the users is registered in the user information registration unit. One or more pieces of user information received from the user devices via the device communication unit are registered in the user information registration unit. The device communication unit uses any of the user information registered in the user information registration unit to access the cloud server as the user corresponding to the user information.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication application including an application communication unit, an application storage unit, and a registration information transmission unit. The application communication unit communicates with the image forming apparatus according to the above-described aspect of the present invention and the cloud server. The application storage unit stores one or more pieces of user information corresponding to the users of the cloud server. The registration information transmission unit transmits the user information to be registered in the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus. The application communication unit establishes communication with the cloud server using any of the user information stored in the application storage unit. The registration information transmission unit transmits the user information used when communication between the application communication unit and the cloud server was established to any of the image forming apparatuses, causing the user information to be registered in the user information registration unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to an image forming apparatus and a communication application according to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of users can access a cloud server from each of the image forming apparatuses. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a communication system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a user device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cloud server. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of user information. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the communication application when user information is registered in the user information registration unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cloud connection button displayed on the device display unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registered user selection screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user information reception screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a document data list display screen. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus connects to the cloud. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a communication application when an image forming apparatus connects to the cloud. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus when multiple users use the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An image forming apparatus and a communication application according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] First, a communication system including an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of a communication system including the image forming apparatus 10.

[0012] A communication system including the image forming apparatus 10 includes, in addition to the image forming apparatus 10, one or more user devices and one or more cloud servers. In FIG. 1, a first user device 21 and a second user device 22 are illustrated as the one or more user devices. Furthermore, a first cloud server 31 and a second cloud server 32 are illustrated as the one or more cloud servers. Furthermore, although only one image forming apparatus 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1, multiple image forming apparatuses 10 may be present.

[0013] 1 also illustrates a first user 41 and a second user 42. The first user 41 is a user of the first cloud server 31. The first user 41 uses the first user device 21. The second user 42 is a user of the second cloud server 32. The second user 42 uses the second user device 22.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium such as a sheet, etc. The image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, a multifunction machine that has a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like.

[0015] 1 has a function for communicating via a network such as the Internet, and can communicate with a first user device 21 and a second user device 22 via the network.

[0016] 1 also has a device input / output unit 17 including a device display unit 18. The device input / output unit 17 receives input to the image forming device 10 and outputs various types of information from the image forming device 10. The device display unit 18 of the device input / output unit 17 displays various images to output information from the image forming device 10. The device display unit 18 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The device display unit 18 may also be a touch panel display that both displays images and receives input.

[0017] The first user device 21 and the second user device 22 are information processing devices that perform various types of information processing in response to operations by the first user 41 and the second user 42. The first user device 21 and the second user device 22 can communicate with the image forming device 10, the first cloud server 31, and the second cloud server 32 via a network. The first user device 21 and the second user device 22 are, for example, information processing devices such as PCs (Personal Computers).

[0018] The first cloud server 31 and the second cloud server 32 are groups of information processing devices accessible from the first user device 21 and the second user device 22 via a network. The first cloud server 31 and the second cloud server 32 permit access to themselves to users who have completed user registration with each server. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a first user 41 has completed user registration with the first cloud server 31, and a second user 42 has completed user registration with the second cloud server 32. User identification information and user authentication information are registered in each cloud server for each user who has completed user registration. The identification information is information, such as a user name, for individually identifying each user. The authentication information is information, such as a password, for verifying that a user attempting to access each cloud server is a registered user.

[0019] Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes an image forming unit 11, a scanning unit 12, a device communication unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a device input / output unit 17. The image forming apparatus 10 may also include a control unit not shown in FIG. 2. The control unit is, for example, a unit including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit controls the operation of various components included in the image forming apparatus 10, such as the image forming unit 11, and also controls the input and output of data between the various components.

[0020] The image forming unit 11 is a unit that forms an image on a recording medium such as a sheet based on image data. The image data may be stored inside the image forming apparatus 10 or may be received from outside the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming unit 11 forms an image on the recording medium by, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

[0021] The scanning unit 12 is a unit that reads an image formed on an original such as paper. The scanning unit 12 includes, for example, a reading head that moves along the original. The reading head reads the image formed on the original by irradiating the original with light and detecting how the light is reflected by the original. The image read from the original is stored inside the image forming apparatus 10 as scanned document data 79, which will be described later.

[0022] The device communication unit 13 is a communication interface that communicates data and various signals with the image forming device 10. For example, the device communication unit 13 is a communication interface that communicates via a LAN (Local Area Network). In this embodiment, the device communication unit 13 communicates with a cloud server (such as the first cloud server 31) and one or more user devices (such as the first user device 21) used by users of the cloud server.

[0023] The storage unit 14 is a unit that stores various data used in the image forming apparatus 10. The storage unit 14 includes, for example, a semiconductor storage device such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM). The storage unit 14 may also include a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive. The storage unit 14 may also store program data for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0024] 2 includes a user information registration unit 15 and a scanned document data storage unit 16. The user information registration unit 15 is a storage area in which user information corresponding to each user, such as the first user 41, is registered. The scanned document data storage unit 16 is a storage area in which scanned document data 79 read by the scanning unit 12 is stored.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows an example of data registered (stored) in the user information registration unit 15. In the user information registration unit 15 of FIG. 2, user information 51 corresponding to a first user 41 and user information 52 corresponding to a second user 42 are registered. Furthermore, in addition to the user information 51, an authentication token 58 for the first user 41 is also registered in the user information registration unit 15 of FIG. 2 as data corresponding to the first user 41. The authentication token 58 is data issued by a cloud server, such as the first cloud server 31, in association with a user who has accessed the cloud server when communication with the cloud server is established. Similarly, in addition to the user information 52, an authentication token 59 for the second user 42 is also registered as data corresponding to the second user 42.

[0026] The device input / output unit 17 has a device display unit 18 and a device operation unit 19. The device operation unit 19 is a unit that accepts operations for the image forming device 10. The device input / output unit 17 outputs various information from the image forming device 10 by displaying various images on the device display unit 18, and inputs various information to the image forming device 10 by accepting operations at the device operation unit 19. The device operation unit 19 is, for example, a group of switches provided near the device display unit 18. Furthermore, if the device display unit 18 is a touch panel display, the touch panel portion of the touch panel display may function as the device operation unit 19. In the following description, the device display unit 18 is assumed to be a touch panel display that also serves as the device operation unit 19.

[0027] Next, the configuration of user equipment such as the first user equipment 21 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the user equipment. For the sake of explanation, Fig. 3 shows only the first user equipment 21, but the second user equipment 22 has a similar configuration.

[0028] The first user device 21 includes an input unit 25, a monitor 26, a network connection unit 27, and a communication application 60. The first user device 21 may also include a control unit and a storage unit, which are not shown in FIG. 3. The control unit is a unit that controls the operations of various components included in the first user device 21. The control unit of the first user device 21 includes, for example, a processor. The storage unit of the first user device 21 is a unit that stores various data used in the first user device 21. The storage unit of the first user device 21 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device and a storage device.

[0029] The input unit 25 is a unit that receives operations of a user such as the first user 41 as input signals to the first user device 21. The input unit 25 includes, for example, a mouse and a keyboard, and an input / output interface that converts operations on the mouse and keyboard into input signals to the first user device 21.

[0030] The monitor 26 is a unit that displays various information to users such as the first user 41. The monitor 26 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The network connection unit 27 is a unit that performs communication between the first user device 21 and other devices (such as the image forming device 10 and the first cloud server 31) via a network. The network connection unit 27 is, for example, a communication interface that performs communication via a LAN.

[0031] The communication application 60 is application software that supports communication between the first user device 21 and other devices. The communication application 60 may be, for example, a data group that includes program data that is stored in a storage unit of the first user device 21 and executed by a control unit of the first user device 21.

[0032] 3 includes an application communication unit 62, an application storage unit 64, and a registration information transmission unit 66. The application communication unit 62 communicates with one or more image forming apparatuses 10 and cloud servers such as the first cloud server 31.

[0033] The application storage unit 64 stores one or more pieces of user information corresponding to users such as the first user 41. The application storage unit 64 of FIG. 3 stores user information 51 corresponding to the first user 41 and user information 52 corresponding to the second user 42. The application storage unit 64 of FIG. 3 also stores an authentication token 58 for the first user 41 in association with the user information 51 of the first user 41. The application storage unit 64 also stores an authentication token 59 for the second user 42 in association with the user information 52 of the second user 42.

[0034] The registration information transmitting unit 66 transmits to the image forming apparatus 10 user information to be registered in the image forming apparatus 10 (such as the user information 51 of the first user 41).

[0035] Next, the configuration of a cloud server such as the first cloud server 31 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a cloud server. For the sake of explanation, Fig. 4 shows only the first cloud server 31, but the second cloud server 32 has a similar configuration.

[0036] The first cloud server 31 includes a server communication unit 35 and a server storage unit 36. The first cloud server 31 may also include a control unit (not shown in Fig. 4). The control unit is a unit that controls the operations of various components included in the first cloud server 31. The control unit of the first cloud server 31 includes, for example, a processor.

[0037] The server communication unit 35 is a unit for communicating between the first cloud server 31 and other devices (such as the image forming device 10 and the first user device 21) via a network. The server communication unit 35 is, for example, a communication interface that communicates via a LAN.

[0038] The server storage unit 36 ​​is a unit that stores various data used in the first cloud server 31. The server storage unit 36 ​​includes, for example, a semiconductor storage device and a storage device.

[0039] The server storage unit 36 ​​in FIG. 4 stores user information 51 corresponding to a first user 41 and user information 52 corresponding to a second user 42. The server storage unit 36 ​​in FIG. 4 also stores an authentication token 58 for the first user 41 in association with the user information 51 for the first user 41. The server storage unit 36 ​​also stores an authentication token 59 for the second user 42 in association with the user information 52 for the second user 42. The server storage unit 36 ​​also stores document data 71 under the management of the first user 41 in association with the user information 51 for the first user 41. The first user 41 can transmit (upload) the document data 71 to the first cloud server 31 via the network and store the document data 71 in the server storage unit 36. Similarly, the server storage unit 36 ​​stores document data 72 under the management of the second user 42 in association with the user information 52 for the second user 42.

[0040] Next, the configuration of the user information 51 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the user information 51. The user information 51 includes a user name 55, a password 56, and unique information 57. The user name 55 is an example of identification information for individually identifying each user. The password 56 is an example of authentication information for proving that the user requesting access is a registered user. The unique information 57 is information unique to each user. For example, the unique information 57 may include an identifier (ID) for uniquely identifying the user.

[0041] 1 to 6, the operation of the communication application 60 when the user information 51 of the first user 41 is registered in the user information registration unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. For the sake of explanation, the following describes communication related to the user information 51 of the first user 41, but similar operations are also performed in communication related to the user information 52 of the second user 42. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the communication application 60 when the user information 51 is registered in the user information registration unit 15.

[0042] First, in step S11, communication application 60 is launched. For example, first user 41 who wishes to register his / her own user information 51 to image forming apparatus 10 launches communication application 60 on first user device 21 used by first user 41. In the following description, it is assumed that first user 41 has previously completed user registration with first cloud server 31 and knows his / her corresponding user name 55 and password 56.

[0043] Next, in step S12, the communication application 60 accepts user information 51 required to access the first cloud server 31. For example, a dialog box for accepting input of the user information 51, such as a user name 55 and a password 56, is displayed on the monitor 26 of the first user device 21. The first user 41 inputs their own user information 51 into the dialog box using the input unit 25 of the first user device 21. The communication application 60 stores the input user information 51 in the application storage unit 64.

[0044] If there are multiple cloud servers accessible from the first user device 21, step S12 also receives information regarding which cloud server to access. The information regarding which cloud server to access is information for identifying the target to be accessed on the network, such as the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the first cloud server 31. In the following description, it is assumed that the first user device 21 accesses the first cloud server 31.

[0045] Next, in step S13, the application communication unit 62 of the communication application 60 establishes communication with the first cloud server 31 using any of the user information 51 stored in the application storage unit 64. Specifically, the application communication unit 62 transmits an access request to the first cloud server 31 together with any of the user information 51 stored in the application storage unit 64. Upon receiving the access request, the first cloud server 31 checks whether the user information 51 received together with the access request matches data already stored in the server storage unit 36 ​​(whether the user is a registered user). If the user information 51 matches the data stored in the server storage unit 36, the first cloud server 31 permits the first user device 21 to access the first cloud server 31. When the first user device 21 is permitted to access the first cloud server 31, the application communication unit 62 establishes communication with the first cloud server 31.

[0046] When the application communication unit 62 establishes communication with the first cloud server 31, the first cloud server 31 issues an authentication token 58 for the first user 41. The first cloud server 31 transmits the issued authentication token 58 to the first user device 21. The authentication token 58 for the first user 41 is stored in the server storage unit 36 ​​in association with the user information 51 of the first user 41.

[0047] If the user information 51 received together with the access request does not match the data already stored in the server storage unit 36 ​​(if the first user 41 is not a registered user), the first cloud server 31 denies access by the first user device 21. If access by the first user device 21 is denied, a message prompting new user registration may be sent to the first user device 21.

[0048] Next, in step S14, the communication application 60 receives the authentication token 58 for the first user 41 transmitted from the first cloud server 31. The application storage unit 64 stores the received authentication token 58 for the first user 41 in association with the user information 51 of the first user 41.

[0049] Next, in step S15, the image forming device 10 to which the user information 51 is to be sent is determined. If there are multiple image forming devices 10 accessible from the first user device 21, the first user 41 determines one of the image forming devices 10 that they wish to use. For example, a list of accessible image forming devices 10 is displayed on the monitor 26 of the first user device 21. The first user 41 determines one of the image forming devices 10 that they wish to use from the displayed list.

[0050] Next, in step S16, user information 51 is transmitted to image forming device 10 determined by first user 41. Specifically, registration information transmission unit 66 transmits user information 51 used when application communication unit 62 established communication with first cloud server 31 to image forming device 10 (any of image forming devices 10) determined by first user 41. Furthermore, registration information transmission unit 66 registers user information 51 transmitted to image forming device 10 in user information registration unit 15 of image forming device 10. According to the above operation of communication application 60, after application communication unit 62 establishes communication with first cloud server 31 using user information 51, the used user information 51 is registered in user information registration unit 15. Therefore, only user information 51 valid for establishing communication with first cloud server 31 is registered in user information registration unit 15.

[0051] Furthermore, the registration information transmission unit 66 transmits the authentication token 58, which is associated with the user information 51 and stored in the application storage unit 64, to the image forming apparatus 10 together with the user information 51, and causes the authentication token 58 to be registered in the user information registration unit 15. By transmitting the authentication token 58 together with the user information 51, it is reliably guaranteed that the user information 51 registered in the user information registration unit 15 is valid user information 51 that is eligible to receive the issuance of the authentication token 58.

[0052] The image forming apparatus 10, whose user information 51 has been registered in the user information registration unit 15, is now able to use document data 71 stored in the first cloud server 31 and managed by the first user 41. Changes in the display on the device display unit 18 when the first user 41 uses document data 71 stored in the first cloud server 31 from the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a cloud connection button 81 displayed on the device display unit 18. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a registered user selection screen 82. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a user information reception screen 83. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a document data list display screen 84.

[0053] In the following, it is assumed that the user information 51 of the first user 41 and the user information 52 of the second user 42 have been registered in advance in the user information registration section 15 of the image forming device 10, and that a connection has been established from the first user device 21 to the first cloud server 31.

[0054] A first user 41 who wishes to use document data 71 stored in the first cloud server 31 from the image forming device 10 first operates a cloud connect button 81 displayed on the device display unit 18. As shown in Fig. 7, buttons for executing various functions of the image forming device 10 are displayed on the device display unit 18. For example, the cloud connect button 81 for cloud connection is displayed on the device display unit 18 alongside a button for executing a copy function.

[0055] When the cloud connection button 81 is operated, a registered user selection screen 82 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the device display unit 18. The registered user selection screen 82 displays a list of the user information 51 registered in the user information registration unit 15 and the user names 55 included in the user information 52. FIG. 8 displays the user name "First User" of the first user 41 and the user name "Second User" of the second user 42. Each of the user names displayed on the registered user selection screen 82 also serves as a button for accepting user selection. That is, the display of "First User" is a first user selection button 82a that, when operated, selects the first user 41, and the display of "Second User" is a second user selection button 82b that, when operated, selects the second user 42.

[0056] When the first user selection button 82a is operated on the registered user selection screen 82, a user information reception screen 83 such as that shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the device display unit 18. The user information reception screen 83 accepts input of user information 51 corresponding to the first user 41 selected on the registered user selection screen 82. The registered user selection screen 82 displays only the user name "first user," which is identification information, from the user information 51, but the user information reception screen 83 also requires input of a password, which is authentication information. The user information reception screen 83 also displays a field for selecting the cloud server to be accessed (the Cloud Storage field in FIG. 9). The first user 41 enters the server name ("first server") of the first cloud server 31 to be accessed, their own user name "first user," and the password corresponding to the user name, and then operates the "Login" button.

[0057] If the information entered on the user information reception screen 83 is valid information for accessing the selected first cloud server 31, the device display unit 18 will display a document data list display screen 84 as shown in Figure 10.

[0058] The document data list display screen 84 displays a list of document data 71 (only one file is shown in FIG. 10 ) that is stored in the first cloud server 31 and is under the management of the first user 41. A document selection box 84a is provided corresponding to each document data 71 displayed on the document data list display screen 84. The document data list display screen 84 also displays a file operation menu 85. The file operation menu 85 includes buttons for performing operations on the document data 71, such as saving to the image forming apparatus 10 (Store File) and forming an image based on the document data 71 (Print). An operation selected from the file operation menu 85 is performed on the document data 71 selected by the document selection box 84a. For example, when the document selection box 84a for "Document 1" displayed in FIG. 10 is selected and the image formation (Print) operation is selected, image formation is performed on a recording medium such as a sheet based on the document data 71 having the file name "Document 1."

[0059] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when the image forming apparatus 10 connects to the cloud will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 7 to 11. Figure 11 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when the image forming apparatus 10 connects to the cloud.

[0060] First, in step S21, the cloud connection button 81 displayed on the device display unit 18 is operated, causing the image forming device 10 to start a cloud connection. Next, in step S22, the image forming device 10 displays a registered user selection screen 82 on the device display unit 18 to accept the selection of a registered user. The registered user selection screen 82 displays a list of user information registered in the user information registration unit 15 of the image forming device 10. Note that it is preferable that the information displayed on the registered user selection screen 82 is only identification information, such as a user name, from the user information.

[0061] When a user name is selected on the registered user selection screen 82, the image forming device 10 then, in step S23, displays a user information reception screen 83 (login screen) on the device display unit 18. The user information reception screen 83 displays a field for receiving identification information such as a password corresponding to the selected user name, and a field for receiving the selection of the cloud server to be accessed.

[0062] After accepting the input on the user information reception screen 83, the image forming apparatus 10 accesses the cloud server using the input information in step S24. Specifically, the device communication unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 10 uses any of the user information registered in the user information registration unit 15 to access the cloud server as the user corresponding to the user information. As a specific example, in FIG. 8, the first user selection button 82a is selected on the registered user selection screen 82, and in FIG. 9, the first cloud server 31 is selected as the access target on the user information reception screen 83. Then, the device communication unit 13 accesses the first cloud server 31 as the first user 41 corresponding to the user information 51 selected by the first user selection button 82a. Only user information that has been confirmed to be valid for accessing the first cloud server 31 is registered in the user information registration unit 15, so that the image forming apparatus 10 can access the first cloud server 31 through the above operations. When a user (e.g., second user 42) different from first user 41 is selected on registered user selection screen 82, device communication unit 13 accesses first cloud server 31 as the selected user. When a cloud server (e.g., second cloud server 32) different from first cloud server 31 is selected on user information reception screen 83, device communication unit 13 accesses the selected cloud server. Therefore, multiple users (e.g., first user 41 and second user 42) can each access a cloud server (e.g., first cloud server 31 or second cloud server 32) from image forming device 10.

[0063] When device communication unit 13 is accessing first cloud server 31 using user information 51 (any of the user information) of first user 41 registered in user information registration unit 15, document data list display screen 84 is displayed in step S25. Specifically, device communication unit 13 receives a list of document data 71 stored in first cloud server 31 in association with user information 51 used by image forming device 10. Image forming device 10 displays the received list of document data 71 on device display unit 18, including the list of document data 71 on document data list display screen 84.

[0064] 10 is displayed on the device display unit 18, if the send button (Send button) for the scanned document data 79 included in the file operation menu 85 is operated, the image forming device 10 proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the image forming device 10 issues a scanned document data transmission request requesting that the scanned document data 79 stored in the scanned document data storage unit 16 be transmitted to the first cloud server 31 that is being accessed. If the scanned document data transmission request is permitted, the scanned document data 79 is transmitted to the first cloud server 31 in association with the user information 51 of the first user 41 used for the access.

[0065] On the other hand, if an operation requiring document data 71, such as an image formation (Print) button, is selected in step S25 instead of the send button for scanned document data 79, image forming apparatus 10 transmits a signal requesting document data 71 in step S27. Subsequently, in step S28, image forming apparatus 10 receives document data 71 transmitted from first cloud server 31 in response to the request. Based on the received document data 71, image forming apparatus 10 executes the operation (e.g., image formation) selected from file operation menu 85.

[0066] Next, the operation of the communication application 60 when the image forming apparatus 10 connects to the cloud will be described with reference to Figures 1, 3, 4, 7 to 10, and 12. Figure 12 is a flowchart of the operation of the communication application 60 when the image forming apparatus 10 connects to the cloud. In the following, it is assumed that when the image forming apparatus 10 connects to the cloud, the communication application 60 is running on the first user device 21, and the first user device 21 is able to communicate with the first cloud server 31 via the communication application 60.

[0067] When the cloud connection button 81 is operated on the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 10 starts a cloud connection, the communication application 60 first waits in step S31 until a user is selected on the registered user selection screen 82.

[0068] When a user is selected on the registered user selection screen 82, authentication information (such as a password) corresponding to the selected user is then entered and the cloud server to be accessed is selected on the user information reception screen 83. For example, assume that the user name of the first user 41 is selected on the registered user selection screen 82, the authentication information of the first user 41 is entered on the user information reception screen 83, and the first cloud server 31 is selected. The communication application 60 receives the selection result on the registered user selection screen 82 and the information received on the user information reception screen 83 from the image forming apparatus 10. In step S32, the communication application 60 accesses the selected first cloud server 31 using the user name of the selected first user 41 and the entered authentication information.

[0069] In step S33, the application communication unit 62 of the communication application 60 that has accessed the first cloud server 31 receives a list of document data 71 stored in the first cloud server 31 in association with the user information 51. Specifically, the application communication unit 62 requests the first cloud server 31 to send a list of document data 71 that is stored in the server storage unit 36 ​​in association with the user information 51 of the first user 41 who is using the image forming device 10. The first cloud server 31 transmits the list of document data 71 requested by the application communication unit 62 of the communication application 60 to the first user device 21 that is running the communication application 60, via the server communication unit 35.

[0070] The application communication unit 62 of the communication application 60 receives the list of document data 71 from the first cloud server 31, and transmits the received list of document data 71 to the image forming apparatus 10 in step S34.

[0071] As described above, when transmitting and receiving the list of document data 71, communication application 60 relays communication between first cloud server 31 and image forming apparatus 10. From the perspective of image forming apparatus 10, the list of document data 71 appears to have been sent from first cloud server 31, but in reality, it is communication application 60 running on first user device 21 that is relaying the communication. Communication application 60 relays communication when device communication unit 13 accesses first cloud server 31 using user information 51 (any of the user information) of first user 41 registered in user information registration unit 15. When relaying communication related to the list of document data 71, application communication unit 62 transmits the list of document data 71 stored in first cloud server 31 to image forming apparatus 10 in association with user information 51 used by image forming apparatus 10.

[0072] Then, in step S35, the application communication unit 62 receives a signal from the image forming apparatus 10 requesting any of the document data 71. Specifically, when an operation requiring any of the document data 71 included in the list is selected on the document data list display screen 84 of Fig. 10, the image forming apparatus 10 requests the document data 71. When the image forming apparatus 10 requests any of the document data 71 included in the list, the signal from the image forming apparatus 10 requesting the document data 71 is received by the application communication unit 62 of the communication application 60.

[0073] In step S36, application communication unit 62 receives the signal requesting document data 71 and transmits the signal requesting document data 71 to first cloud server 31. First cloud server 31 transmits the requested document data 71 to first user device 21 running communication application 60. Next, in step S37, application communication unit 62 receives the requested document data 71 from first cloud server 31. In step S38, application communication unit 62 transmits the document data 71 received from first cloud server 31 to image forming device 10. As described above, when transmitting and receiving document data 71, communication application 60 relays communication between first cloud server 31 and image forming device 10. From the perspective of image forming device 10, it appears as if document data 71 has been transmitted from first cloud server 31 due to the transmission of the signal requesting document data 71; however, in reality, it is communication application 60 running on first user device 21 that relays the communication. By using the communication application 60 to relay the communication, even if the image forming device 10 does not have the function to communicate directly with the first cloud server 31, the image forming device 10 can use the document data 71 stored in the first cloud server 31.

[0074] On the other hand, in step S39, which branches from step S34, if a request to send scanned document data is issued from image forming apparatus 10, application communication unit 62 receives the request to send scanned document data. Having received the request to send scanned document data, application communication unit 62 transmits a signal to image forming apparatus 10 permitting the request to send scanned document data, and in step S40 receives scanned document data 79 from image forming apparatus 10. Then, in step S41, application communication unit 62 transmits scanned document data 79 received from image forming apparatus 10 to first cloud server 31 in association with user information 51 of first user 41.

[0075] As described above, communication application 60 relays scanned document data 79 between image forming apparatus 10 and first cloud server 31. Relaying scanned document data 79 occurs when device communication unit 13 accesses first cloud server 31 using user information 51 (any of the user information) of first user 41 registered in user information registration unit 15. In relaying scanned document data 79, application communication unit 62 receives scanned document data 79 from image forming apparatus 10 when image forming apparatus 10 requests first cloud server 31 to transmit scanned document data 79. Then, application communication unit 62 associates the scanned document data 79 received from image forming apparatus 10 with user information 51 used by image forming apparatus 10 and transmits the data to first cloud server 31. By communication application 60 relaying scanned document data 79, scanned document data 79 can be transmitted from image forming apparatus 10 to first cloud server 31 even when image forming apparatus 10 does not have a function for directly communicating with first cloud server 31.

[0076] 1, 2, and 13, it will be explained that when one user is accessing a cloud server from the image forming device 10, access to the same cloud server by other users from the image forming device 10 is restricted. Fig. 13 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming device 10 when multiple users use the image forming device 10.

[0077] First, in step S51, device communication unit 13 of image forming device 10 accesses one of the cloud servers as a user corresponding to one of the pieces of user information registered in user information registration unit 15. For the sake of explanation below, it is assumed that device communication unit 13 is accessing (logging in to) first cloud server 31 as first user 41.

[0078] While the device communication unit 13 is accessing the first cloud server 31 as the first user 41, in step S52, access by other users from the image forming device 10 to the first cloud server 31 is restricted. Specifically, the device communication unit 13 restricts other users, such as the second user 42, other than the currently accessing first user 41 from accessing the first cloud server 31 via the device communication unit 13. For example, while the device communication unit 13 is accessing the first cloud server 31 as the first user 41, the cloud connection button 81 as shown in FIG. 7 may be disabled. By restricting other users' access to the first cloud server 31 from the image forming device 10, users other than the first user 41 cannot access the first cloud server 31 from the image forming device 10. By restricting multiple users from accessing the same cloud server simultaneously from the image forming device 10, other users are prevented from accessing the document data 71 of the currently accessing first user 41, and the confidentiality of the document data 71 is guaranteed.

[0079] Then, in step S53, if device communication unit 13 stops accessing first cloud server 31 as first user 41 (logs out), device communication unit 13 proceeds to step S54. In step S54, device communication unit 13 accepts access (login) from any user registered in user information registration unit 15. Therefore, after first user 41 logs out, any user registered in user information registration unit 15 can access first cloud server 31 from image forming device 10.

[0080] For the sake of explanation, the first user device 21 and the second user device 22 are shown above as one or more user devices, but there may be three or more user devices. When there are three or more user devices, there may be three or more users. When there are three or more users, there may be three or more pieces of user information. When three or more users each use a different cloud server, there may be three or more cloud servers used by different users. Furthermore, multiple users may use the same cloud server.

[0081] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each illustrated component may differ from the actual components due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0082] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus and a communication application, and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10 Image forming device 13 Device communication unit 15 User Information Registration Section 21 First user device 22 Secondary user device 31 First Cloud Server 32 Second Cloud Server 41 First User 42 Secondary User 51 User Information 52 User Information 58 Authentication Token 59 Authentication Token 60 Communication Applications 62 Application Communication Unit 64 Application Storage 66 Registration information transmission unit 71 Document Data 72 Document Data 79 Scanned Document Data

Claims

1. a device communication unit that communicates with a cloud server and one or more user devices used by users of the cloud server; a user information registration unit in which user information corresponding to the user is registered; Equipped with one or more pieces of user information received from the user equipment via the device communication unit are registered in the user information registration unit; The image forming apparatus, wherein the device communication unit uses any of the user information registered in the user information registration unit to access the cloud server as the user corresponding to the user information.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device communication unit restricts other users from accessing the cloud server via the device communication unit while the other users are accessing the cloud server as the user corresponding to any of the user information.

3. an application communication unit that communicates with one or more of the image forming apparatuses according to claim 1 or 2 and the cloud server; an application storage unit that stores one or more pieces of user information corresponding to the users of the cloud server; a registration information transmitting unit that transmits the user information to be registered in the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus; Equipped with the application communication unit establishes communication with the cloud server using any of the user information stored in the application storage unit; The registration information transmission unit transmits the user information used when communication between the application communication unit and the cloud server to one of the image forming devices, and registers the user information in the user information registration unit.

4. the application storage unit stores an authentication token issued by the cloud server when the application communication unit establishes communication with the cloud server, in association with the user information; The communication application according to claim 3 , wherein the registration information transmission unit transmits the authentication token together with the user information to the image forming apparatus, and causes the authentication token to be registered in the user information registration unit.

5. When the device communication unit of the image forming device accesses the cloud server using any of the user information registered in the user information registration unit, the application communication unit transmits to the image forming device a list of document data stored in the cloud server in association with the user information used by the image forming device; 4. The communication application according to claim 3, wherein when the image forming device requests any of the document data included in the list, the communication application receives the requested document data from the cloud server and transmits the document data received from the cloud server to the image forming device.

6. When the device communication unit of the image forming device is accessing the cloud server using any of the user information registered in the user information registration unit, and the image forming device requests the cloud server to transmit scanned document data, The communication application according to claim 3 , wherein the application communication unit receives the scanned document data from the image forming device, associates the scanned document data received from the image forming device with the user information used by the image forming device, and transmits the data to the cloud server.

Images