Data processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium

Abstract

To solve the problem that, when a terminal instructs an image forming apparatus to execute a job, if a login state is continued in the image forming apparatus after the job is executed, another user can operate the image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus executes a job based on the instruction received from the terminal, and then performs logout processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a data processing system in which a data processing device and an image forming device execute jobs by wireless communication. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the widespread use of high-performance mobile terminals known as smartphones, an increasing number of terminals are capable of instructing image forming devices to perform functions such as scanning, printing, and image data transmission. For example, in the image data transmission function, the terminal searches for image forming devices on the network and creates a job by adding the destination email address and various scan setting information (e.g., color, double-sided) set by the user. The terminal then sends the created job to the image forming device it found, and the image forming device executes the function based on the received job. This allows the terminal to perform a series of settings and execution instructions required for transmitting image data. In this case, network communication between the terminal and the image forming device is established according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, NFC, or Bluetooth (registered trademark), and can be achieved using known technology.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a technology in which a terminal sends a job to an image forming device, and after the job is executed by the image forming device, if the image forming device does not accept any user operations for a predetermined period of time without executing the logout process, and if an operation is performed on the terminal, the image forming device automatically performs the logout process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-161971 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the method of Patent Document 1, the image forming device does not perform the logout process until a predetermined time has elapsed after the job execution is completed, which poses a security problem in that other users may be able to operate the image forming device during that time.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method that ensures security even when a job is sent from a terminal to an image forming apparatus and the job is executed by the image forming apparatus while the user is logged in. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image forming apparatus comprising: a receiving means for receiving job information from a terminal, the job information including user information for executing a function of the image forming apparatus; a login means for logging a user into the image forming apparatus based on the user information included in the job information received by the receiving means; an execution means for executing a job based on the job information received by the receiving means; and a logout means for logging the user out of the image forming apparatus based on the execution of the job by the execution means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] It is possible to ensure security even when a job is sent from a terminal to an image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus executes the job while the user is logged in. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Diagram showing a data processing system [Figure 2] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a data processing device [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus [Figure 4] Block diagram showing the software configuration of the data processing device [Figure 5] Block diagram showing the software configuration of the image forming apparatus [Figure 6] Example of a screen displayed by the image forming device [Figure 7] Example of a screen displayed by the data processing device [Figure 8] Flowchart showing the processing of the data processing device [Figure 9] Flowchart showing processing of an image forming apparatus [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] However, the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those. In the following description, an image forming apparatus will be used as an example of an information processing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0012] Example 1 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a data processing system according to this embodiment. The data processing system 100 is composed of a data processing device 101, a wireless LAN terminal 102, and an image forming device 104, and these devices are connected to one another via a network 103 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Devices other than those shown here may also be connected to the network 103.

[0013] The data processing device 101 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, and may be an information processing device on which an operating system for small terminals and programs for controlling voice calls, position detection, and data communications run. Alternatively, the data processing device 101 may be a personal computer (PC) that does not have functions such as voice call control and position detection control. The data processing device 101 is connected to a network 103 via a wireless LAN terminal 102.

[0014] The wireless terminal 102 is a wireless LAN base station with a general network router function, and provides a wireless LAN within a home or office.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 104 is a multifunction peripheral having various functions such as a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax transmission function. However, the image forming apparatus 104 is not limited to this and may be a device having only a single function. The image forming apparatus 104 may be configured to include a wireless access point internally so that it can communicate directly with the data processing apparatus 101. A user can instruct the image forming apparatus 104 to execute a job from the data processing apparatus 101, which is communicating with the image forming apparatus 104, and cause the image forming apparatus 104 to execute various functions. Note that in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 104 is connected to the network 103 by wire, but it may also be connected wirelessly using a wireless LAN terminal 102, as with the data processing apparatus 101.

[0016] Furthermore, the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104 are capable of short-range wireless communication using NFC (Near Field Communication), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), etc. The image forming device 104 transmits connection information (IP address, MAC address, SSID, etc.) for connecting to the image forming device 104 via a wireless LAN to the data processing device 101 via an NFC communication unit or a BLE communication unit (described later). Then, the data processing device 101 starts wireless LAN communication with the image forming device 104 using the acquired connection information.

[0017] 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a data processing device 101 according to this embodiment. The data processing device 101 has a controller unit 201. The controller unit 201 controls various communication units, such as an NFC communication unit 210, a BLE communication unit 211, and a wireless LAN communication unit 212, as well as various UI units, such as a microphone / speaker 213, a display 214, and a touch panel 215.

[0018] The controller unit 201 is composed of a CPU 202 , a ROM 203 , a RAM 204 , a network I / F 205 , an audio control unit 206 , a display control unit 207 , an input control unit 208 and a storage device 209 , which are connected by a system bus 216 .

[0019] The CPU 202 controls the entire system of the data processing device 101. The ROM 203 stores the operating system of the data processing device 101 and programs that control calls, data communications, etc., and the CPU 202 executes the various programs. The RAM 204 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 202.

[0020] The storage device 209 is a non-volatile storage device, and records various operation mode settings that need to be retained even after the data processing device 101 is restarted, operation logs, and the like.

[0021] The network I / F 205 is connected to an NFC communication unit 210, a BLE communication unit 211, and a wireless LAN communication unit 212, and exchanges data with the image forming apparatus 104 via various wireless communications.

[0022] An audio control unit 206 controls the input and output of audio data via a microphone / speaker 213. A display control unit 207 controls the output of a screen displayed on a display 214. An input control unit 208 controls the input of information designated by a user via a button or touch panel 215. Various applications executed on the data processing device 101 use the audio control unit 206, display control unit 207, input control unit 208, etc.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 104 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 104 has a controller unit 301, which controls various communication units, such as an NFC communication unit 310, a BLE communication unit 311, and a wireless LAN communication unit 312, as well as an operation unit 307, a scanner 313, and a printer 314. When a user uses the copy function of the image forming apparatus 104, the controller unit 301 controls the scanner 313 to acquire image data of an original document and controls the printer 314 to print and output the image on paper. When a user uses the scan and send function, the controller unit 301 controls the scanner 313 to acquire image data of an original document and converts it into code data. The code data is then transmitted to the data processing apparatus 101 or the like via a network I / F 308. When a user uses the print function, the controller unit 301 receives image data (code data) from the data processing apparatus 101 via the network I / F 308. The controller unit 301 then transmits the received image data to the printer 314. The printer 314 prints and outputs an image on paper based on the received image data. The image forming device 104 also has a fax receiving function that receives and prints data from ISDN or the like, and a fax sending function that sends scanned data to ISDN or the like. The work to be processed, for which the user has set up settings to execute each of the functions described above, is called a job, and the image forming device 104 executes a specified job according to the job information.

[0024] The controller unit 301 is composed of a CPU 302 , a RAM 303 , a ROM 304 , a HDD 305 , an operation unit I / F 306 , a network I / F 308 , and a device I / F 309 , which are connected by a system bus 315 .

[0025] The CPU 302 controls the entire system of the image forming apparatus 104. The RAM 303 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 302, and temporarily stores image data and the like. It also stores scanned image data read by the scanner 313 and print image data received from the data processing apparatus 101 via the network 103. The ROM 304 stores the system boot program, applications, and the like. The hard disk drive (HDD) 305 stores the operating system, system software, application software, image data, setting data, and the like.

[0026] The operation unit 307 displays information to the user and accepts operations from the user, and includes an operation panel such as a touch panel display.

[0027] The operation unit I / F 306 outputs information to be displayed on the operation unit 307 to the operation unit 307. The operation unit I / F 306 also accepts information input by a user from the operation unit 307. The network I / F 308 is connected to an NFC communication unit 310, a BLE communication unit 311, and a wireless LAN communication unit 312, and exchanges information with the data processing device 101 and the cloud server 105 through various types of communication. The wireless LAN communication unit 312 performs wireless LAN communication with the data processing device 101 via the network 103. The NFC communication unit 310 and the BLE communication unit 311 also perform short-range wireless communication with the data processing device 101. The image forming apparatus 104 receives job setting information, image data, job execution commands, etc. from the data processing device 101 via the network I / F 308 and executes the job. The device I / F 309 connects the controller unit 301 to a scanner 313 and a printer 314 that read and print image data, and inputs and outputs image data.

[0028] 4 shows the software configuration of the data processing device 101 according to this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of software that is implemented when the CPU 202 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 203 or the storage device 209.

[0029] The application 401 is an application installed in the data processing device 101 and is an application for operating the image forming device 104. Settings can be made on the application 401 to generate print job information and scan job information, and the job information can be sent to the image forming device 104. In addition to this application 401, various other applications are installed on the data processing device 101, but their explanation will be omitted. The configuration of the application 401 is shown below.

[0030] A user interface (UI) control unit 402 accepts job setting information and the like input by the user via the touch panel 215, and transmits the accepted content to a job setting management unit 406 and a job control unit 407 via an input control unit 208. The UI control unit 402 also receives responses from the job setting management unit 406 and the job control unit 407, and outputs a screen corresponding to the received content to the display 214 via a display control unit 207. The UI control unit 402 also accepts authentication information for logging in to the image forming apparatus 104, such as user information and a password, input by the user via the touch panel 215, and transmits the information to an authentication setting management unit 403 via the input control unit 208.

[0031] The authentication information management unit 403 registers authentication information such as user information received from the UI control unit 402. Then, it performs processing to log in to the image forming apparatus 104 based on the registered authentication information. Specifically, it passes the authentication information to the network control unit 405. The authentication information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 104 via the network 103. The image forming apparatus 104 performs login processing using the received authentication information and returns the result to the data processing apparatus 101. The registered authentication information can also be added when transmitting job information.

[0032] The device connection unit 404 establishes, for example, near-field wireless communication using NFC or BLE or wireless LAN communication via the network 103 between the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104. For example, in the case of NFC, near-field wireless communication is initiated when a user brings the NFC communication unit 210 of the data processing device 101 and the NFC communication unit 310 of the image forming device 104 close to each other. In the case of BLE, the BLE communication unit 311 of the image forming device 104 transmits a BLE beacon, and the BLE communication unit 211 of the data processing device 101 receives the transmitted beacon. When the user brings the data processing device 101 close to the image forming device 104, the near-field wireless communication is initiated when the data processing device 101 determines that the radio wave intensity of the received beacon has reached a certain level or higher. In this way, when the user brings the NFC or BLE communication units of the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104 close to each other, the device connection unit 404 performs near-field wireless communication with the image forming device 104. Then, via the short-range wireless communication, the device connection unit 404 acquires device information including connection information necessary for wireless LAN communication from the image forming apparatus 104. The device connection unit 404 starts wireless LAN communication with the image forming apparatus 104 via the network 103 using the acquired connection information.

[0033] The network control unit 405 transmits job information (setting information, job execution instruction command, image data, user authentication information, etc.) to the image forming apparatus 104 via the network 103. When configuring job information for transmitting scanned image data to a set destination, the job setting information includes the destination to which the data is transmitted and settings related to scanning. Furthermore, the network control unit 405 can also receive job setting information stored in the image forming apparatus 104 via the network 103.

[0034] The job setting management unit 406 stores the job setting information entered by the user and accepted by the UI control unit 402, and the job setting information received from the image forming apparatus 104 by the network control unit 405, in the RAM 204 or the storage device 209. At this time, the job setting management unit 406 may register the job setting information as "favorites" as settings that the user frequently uses. Also, the job setting management unit 406 may register the setting information of a predetermined job as "preset" when the application 401 is installed.

[0035] The job control unit 407 controls processing executed by the image forming apparatus 104. For example, the job control unit 407 generates job information from job setting information included in "favorites" or "presets" registered in the job setting management unit 406 or job setting information set by user operation, and transmits a job execution instruction to the image forming apparatus 104 via the network 103. The job control unit 407 also acquires the job execution status and the operating status of the devices such as the scanner 313 and printer 314 from the image forming apparatus 104 via the network 103 and transmits the information to the UI control unit 402.

[0036] 5 shows the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 104 according to this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of software that is implemented when the CPU 302 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 304 or HDD 305.

[0037] The system software 501 manages, for example, applications that run on the image forming apparatus 104. A user interface (UI) control unit 502 accepts job setting information and the like input by the user via the operation unit 307, and passes it to a job execution management unit 506 and a job control unit 507. The UI control unit 502 also receives responses from the job execution management unit 506 and the job control unit 507, and outputs a screen based on the response to the operation unit 307.

[0038] The authentication unit 503 performs login processing based on the authentication information received from the data processing device 101 and returns the result. The image forming device 104 holds various information such as an email address corresponding to the logged-in user.

[0039] The device connection unit 504 establishes, for example, wireless LAN communication with the data processing device 101. The network control unit 505 receives job setting information, job execution instruction commands, image data, user authentication information, etc. from the data processing device 101 via the network 103. Furthermore, the network control unit 505 transmits job setting information stored in the image forming device 104 to the data processing device 101 via the network 103.

[0040] The job execution management unit 506 manages the status of jobs to be executed, etc. The job execution management unit 506 also stores information about jobs, including job setting information input by the user via the UI control unit 502 and job setting information received from the data processing device 101 via the network control unit 505, in the RAM 303 or the HDD 305. At this time, the job setting management unit 506 may register the job setting information as "favorites" as settings that the user frequently uses. The job setting management unit 406 may also register the setting information of a predetermined job as "presets." The job execution management unit 506 also manages jobs executed by the image forming apparatus 104 as "history."

[0041] The job control unit 507 controls each processing unit, including the scan processing unit 511, copy processing unit 512, print processing unit 513, and fax processing unit 514, in accordance with the received job information to execute various jobs. For example, the job control unit 507 executes various jobs using job setting information set by the user via the operation unit 307 or job setting information such as "favorites" or "presets" registered in the job execution management unit 506. Furthermore, the job control unit 507 receives job execution requests from the data processing device 101, etc. via the network 103, and executes various jobs in accordance with the received job setting information and job execution instructions. The job control unit 507 also transmits job execution statuses and device operating states of the scanner 313 and printer 314 to the data processing device 101 via the network 103.

[0042] The auto-clear control unit 508 controls auto-clear processing. Auto-clear is processing in which, if the image forming apparatus 104 does not accept any operation from the user for a predetermined period of time, all setting values ​​set on the display screen are cleared and a preset initial screen is displayed. If a user is logged in to the image forming apparatus 104 when auto-clear occurs, the user is automatically logged out.

[0043] Next, the screens displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 104 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c).

[0044] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an authentication screen of the image forming apparatus 104 according to this embodiment.

[0045] Login screen 601 is a screen for accepting user authentication, and includes a username input field 602 for inputting the username of the user logging in locally, and a password input field 603 for inputting the password. Here, local login is a login that allows a user to exclusively operate the operation panel of image forming apparatus 104, and while a user is logged in locally, other users cannot log in locally and cannot operate the operation panel. When login button 604 is pressed, local login processing begins using the username and password entered in 602 and 603. Hereinafter, "login" refers to local login unless otherwise specified.

[0046] FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a home screen of the image forming apparatus 104, which is displayed when, for example, authentication on the login screen 601 is successful and the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 104.

[0047] The home screen 610 is a screen that displays a list of functions possessed by the image forming apparatus 104, and is a screen on which the user can select a function that he or she wishes to use. The copy button 611 is a button for executing the copy function, and when pressed, transitions to a copy settings screen (not shown). When the status check button 612 is pressed, transitions to a status check screen (not shown), where the user can refer to the job execution status and history. The logout button 613 displays the name of the user currently logged in locally, and when pressed, logs out the currently logged-in user and transitions to the login screen 601. The "scan and send" button 614 is a button for executing a function to send a scanned image to a set destination. When the "scan and send" button 614 is pressed, transitions to a "scan and send" settings screen 620.

[0048] FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a screen for the “scan and send” function of the image forming apparatus 104.

[0049] The "Scan and Send" settings screen 620 is a screen for setting the destination of scans and images. The destination field 621 displays the set image destination. The destination specification button 622 is a button for setting the destination of images, and when pressed, a list of destinations is displayed. The scan settings area 623 is an area for setting scan settings, and each setting can be made by pressing each button. The start button 624 is a button for executing processing based on the settings made on the "Scan and Send" settings screen 620. When pressed, the image is scanned and the generated image is sent to the set destination. When the start button 624 is pressed, the image forming apparatus 104 displays a processing in progress screen 630, which displays the execution status of the processing. When the stop button 631 is pressed while the processing in progress screen 630 is displayed, the processing is stopped and the home screen is displayed, or a logout process is performed and the login screen 601 is displayed. When the processing is completed, the processing in progress screen 630 is hidden, and the "Scan and Send" settings screen 620 is displayed, or the home screen 610 is displayed. The stop button 625 is a button for interrupting the processing that is currently being performed.

[0050] If no document is placed on the scanner when the start button 624 is pressed, a document placement screen 640 is displayed. The user can proceed with the process by placing a document and pressing an OK button 641.

[0051] The processing of the application 401 performed on the data processing device 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0052] 7A shows a menu screen of an application 401 running on the data processing device 101. The application communicates with the image forming device 104 and can issue instructions to the image forming device to execute processing based on the settings configured on the application.

[0053] The UI control unit 402 displays a list of processes that utilize the functions of the image forming apparatus 104 on a menu screen 704 of the application 401. The list displayed here displays, for example, information registered as the above-mentioned "favorites" and "presets" as buttons. As an example, a "Send to Me" button 701 for sending an image scanned by the image forming apparatus 104 to the user (the user logged in to the image forming apparatus) by email, a "Save to My Folder" button 702 for saving the scanned image in the user's registered folder, and a "Color Copy" button 703 for making one copy of a double-sided color copy are displayed. Pressing the "Send to Me" button 701 transitions to a settings screen (not shown) for sending an email to the user. Pressing the "Save to My Folder" button 702 transitions to a settings screen (not shown) for saving to the user's folder. The "Copy" button 705 is a button for sending copy job information; when pressed, a settings screen for the copy function is opened with default settings. The "Scan and Send" button 706 is a button for sending scan and send job information; when pressed, a settings screen for the scan and send function is opened with default settings. A "Print" button 707 is a button for sending print job information, and when pressed, a setting screen for the print function opens with default setting values.

[0054] FIG. 7B shows a setting screen for the scan and send function, which is displayed when the "scan and send" button 706 is pressed.

[0055] The "Scan and Send" settings screen 711 is a screen for making settings for sending scanned images by email, and a title area 712 displays a title indicating what the settings screen is for, and also provides a button for canceling the settings and returning to the menu screen. The email address setting area 713 is an area where the set email address is displayed. Pressing this area allows the recipient's email address to be directly entered using the soft keyboard. Pressing the address book launch button 713 calls up the address book in the data processing device 101. When the user selects an email address from the called address book, the selected email address is displayed in the email address setting area 713. Multiple email addresses can be set.

[0056] A subject field 715 for inputting a subject, a file name input field 716, and a body field 717 for inputting a body text can be entered by the user using the soft keyboard of the data processing device 101. A start button 719 is a button for transmitting job information to the image forming device.

[0057] The scan settings button 718 is a button for configuring scan settings, and when pressed, transitions to a scan settings screen 720. The scan settings screen 720 has a title area 721 that displays a title and a button for confirming the settings and returning to the "Scan and Send" settings screen 711. The scan settings screen 720 includes various buttons related to scanning (e.g., color settings button 722), and the user can configure the respective settings by pressing each button. For example, when the color settings button 722 is pressed, transitions to a color settings screen (not shown) where color settings can be changed, and the color settings configured on the color settings screen are displayed on the button.

[0058] Next, a process in which the data processing device 101 transmits job information to the image forming device 104 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 8. Each operation (step) shown in the flowchart of Fig. 8 is realized by the CPU 202 reading into the RAM 204 a program for realizing each control module stored in the ROM 203 or the storage device 209 and executing the program.

[0059] This flowchart explains an example in which a user establishes wireless communication between the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104, selects the "Scan and Send" button 706 on the menu screen 704 of the data processing device 101, and transmits "Scan and Send" job information, but the flowchart may also be used in cases in which other jobs such as a FAX job or print job information are transmitted. This flowchart assumes a case in which a user transmits job information from the data processing device 101 to the image forming device 104 before logging in to the image forming device.

[0060] In step S801, the UI control unit 402 accepts email and scan settings from the user on the "scan and send" settings screen 711 in FIG. 7B and the scan settings screen 720 in FIG.

[0061] In S802, the job control unit 407 determines whether one or more email addresses, i.e., one or more destinations, are set in the settings of the received email. If it is determined in S802 that one or more destinations are set, the process proceeds to S803; if not, the process proceeds to S812, in which the UI control unit 402 notifies the user that no destinations are set.

[0062] In S803, the job control unit 407 performs remote authentication for communicating with the image forming apparatus 104 using authentication information managed by the authentication information management unit 403. Here, remote authentication is authentication as to whether or not to permit exchange of job information between the data processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 104, and differs from local authentication, which will be described later. The authentication information managed by the authentication information management unit 403 is sent to the image forming apparatus 104, and the image forming apparatus 104 performs authentication based on user information registered in its own apparatus and returns the result.

[0063] In S804, the job control unit 407 determines the result of the remote authentication, and if successful, proceeds to S805, and if not, proceeds to S811, where the UI control unit 402 notifies the user of an error. If the remote authentication is successful, the data processing device 101 remotely logs in to the image forming device 104. The remote login enables the data processing device 101 to send job information to the image forming device 104. The remote login here is different from a local login. An example of a case in which remote authentication is not successful is when the device settings of the image forming device 104 are set to prohibit remote access from the data processing device.

[0064] In step S805, the network control unit 405 configures the authentication information managed by the authentication information management unit 403 and the email and scan settings received on the “Scan and Send” settings screen 711 and the scan settings screen 720 as a job and sends it to the image forming device 104.

[0065] In S806, the job control unit 407 determines whether an error has been received from the image forming apparatus 104. If an error has not been received, the process proceeds to S807, and if not, the process proceeds to S813, where the UI control unit 402 notifies the user of the error. An error here is, for example, a case where local authentication in the image forming apparatus 104 based on user information included in the job information has failed.

[0066] In S807, the job control unit 407 acquires status information of the image forming apparatus 104 from the job execution management unit 506. Then, in S808, the job control unit 407 determines from the acquired status information whether the image forming apparatus 104 is waiting to execute a job, and if it is not waiting, the process proceeds to S809, and if it is waiting, the process proceeds to S807. Here, waiting to execute a job refers to the state from when the image forming apparatus 104 receives a job until the actual start of processing.

[0067] In step S809, the UI control unit 402 notifies the user that the job information has been sent.

[0068] In step S810, the network control unit 405 requests the image forming apparatus 104 to log out of the remote login. At this time, the communication established between the data processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 104 may be disconnected, or the communication may be maintained in order to obtain information such as the job execution status from the image forming apparatus 104.

[0069] Through the above process, job information can be sent from the data processing device to the image forming device, and the image forming device can execute the job. In addition, since the job information sent from the data processing device includes user information, the user can automatically log in to the image forming device. For jobs that require placing a document in front of the image forming device, such as the "scan and send" function, it is preferable to perform local login so that the operation panel of the image forming device can be occupied.

[0070] The above flowchart shows an example in which the remote login is logged out when the data processing device is able to send a job to the image forming device, but this is not limited to this, and the remote login may be logged out when the execution of the job on the image forming device is completed.

[0071] Next, the processing performed by the image forming apparatus 104 after receiving job information from the data processing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 9. Each operation (step) shown in the flowchart of Fig. 9 is realized by the CPU 302 reading into the RAM 303 a program for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 304 or HDD 305 and executing the program.

[0072] This flowchart starts when the image forming apparatus 104 receives transmitted job information, for example, when it receives job information transmitted from the data processing apparatus in step S805. Note that this flowchart will be described using an example in which the image forming apparatus 104 receives "scan and send" job information from the data processing apparatus 101, but other jobs may also be received.

[0073] In S900, the job execution management unit determines whether the received job information was sent from a specific application. If it is determined that the job information was received from a specific application, the process proceeds to S902; if not, the process ends. Here, the specific application is the application 401 for operating the image forming device 104. Here, it is determined whether the job information was sent from a specific application, but it is not limited to this, and it may also be determined whether the job information was sent from a specific device.

[0074] In step S901, the job execution management unit 506 changes the status information to a state in which the job is waiting to be executed.

[0075] In step S902, the authentication unit 503 extracts authentication information from the received job information, and then in step S903, executes authentication for local login based on the authentication information.

[0076] In S904, the authentication unit 503 determines whether or not the authentication for local login has been successful, and if successful, the process proceeds to S905, and if not, the authentication error is notified to the data processing device 101 in S922.

[0077] In step S905, the authentication unit 503 executes local login for the user, and the job execution management unit 506 changes the status information to "job in progress."

[0078] In step S906 , the UI control unit 502 displays the “scan and send” setting screen 620 on the operation unit 307 .

[0079] In S907, the job control unit 507 determines whether a document is placed on the scanner. If a document is placed, the process proceeds to S908, and if not, the process proceeds to S913. For example, if a document is not placed on the ADF (auto document feeder) and the paper size cannot be detected on the platen, it is determined in S907 that a document is not placed.

[0080] In S913, the UI control unit 502 displays the document placement screen 640. In S914, the UI control unit 502 determines whether or not a user operation has been accepted, and if accepted, the process proceeds to S915, and if not, the process proceeds to S916.

[0081] In S915, the UI control unit 502 determines whether the accepted operation is pressing of the OK button 641, and if it is pressing of the OK button, the process proceeds to S908, and if not, the process returns to S914.

[0082] In S916, the auto-clear control unit 508 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving an operation from the user. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to S914. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S917, where the auto-clear control unit 508 initiates auto-clear processing. At this time, the data processing apparatus 101 may be notified of job cancellation. In this case, since a user is logged in to the image forming apparatus 104, local login logout processing is performed in S912.

[0083] In step S908, the job control unit 507 executes scanning using the scan settings included in the received job information. At this time, the UI control unit 502 displays the execution screen 630.

[0084] In S909, the job control unit 507 determines whether the cancel button 631 or the stop button 625 was pressed during scanning and whether a job cancellation was received. If a job cancellation was not received, the process proceeds to S910, and if a cancellation was received, the process proceeds to S911, where the job control unit 507 cancels the scan. At this time, the data processing device 101 may be notified that the scan has been canceled.

[0085] In step S910, the job control unit 507 sends the image data generated by scanning by email to the address included in the job information.

[0086] In step S912, the authentication unit 503 logs out the locally logged-in user. In this case, the user of the data processing apparatus 101 that transmitted the job information is currently logged in locally, so the authentication unit 503 logs out the user. Then, the UI control unit 507 displays the login screen 601.

[0087] In this flowchart, when email is sent in S910, logout processing is performed in S912. In other words, logout processing is performed if email sending can be executed. Therefore, if an error such as exceeding the data transmission capacity occurs during email sending, the data processing device 101 is notified, and the image forming apparatus 104 does not perform logout processing. However, this is not limited to this, and after email sending in S910, the image forming apparatus 104 may wait until it can determine whether email sending was completed without error, and if it was completed without error, logout processing may be performed in S912.

[0088] Furthermore, the logout process may be configured to be performed when a predetermined condition is met, not just after sending an email in S910. For example, the logout process may be performed when a job is submitted, or when scanning is performed in S908, or when scanning is completed.

[0089] If an error occurs during scanning in step S908, the image forming apparatus 104 does not perform logout processing. This prevents logout processing from being performed if a job execution error occurs, allowing the user to resolve the error on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 104.

[0090] After sending the email in S910, it is also possible to display a transmission confirmation screen depending on the settings of the image forming apparatus 104. In this case, the confirmation screen is displayed after S910, and if the user presses the OK button, the process proceeds to S912, and if the OK button is not pressed and a predetermined time has elapsed, the process may be configured to generate an auto-clear process similar to S917.

[0091] Furthermore, before performing the logout process in S912, it may be determined whether the current login state is a login that was executed as a result of receiving job information. If the login is based on receiving job information, the logout process may be performed in S912, and if not, the logout process may not be performed.

[0092] The processing of this flowchart allows job information to be sent from a data processing device to an image forming device, and even when a user locally logs in to the image forming device, automatic logging out occurs when the job is executed, preventing other users from operating the image forming device. In particular, when a job sent from a specific application is executed, automatic login and logout processing can be performed. In other words, when a user executes a job by operating the operation panel of the image forming device 104, the user is not logged out based on the execution of the job.

[0093] Furthermore, the above process eliminates the need for the user to perform any operation to log out, improving operability. As shown in the flowchart above, if the image forming apparatus is automatically logged in using the user information included in the job information, even if the user does not perform any operation to log in, the user may not realize that a logout operation is required. Therefore, automatic logging out ensures security.

[0094] Example 2 In the first embodiment, a case where an image forming apparatus receives job information from a data processing apparatus when a user is not logged in to the image forming apparatus is described. In the present embodiment, a case where an image forming apparatus receives job information from a data processing apparatus when a user is logged in to the image forming apparatus is described. When a user logs in to the image forming apparatus by operating the operation panel of the image forming apparatus and then operates the data processing apparatus to send job information from the data processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus, if the image forming apparatus automatically performs a logout process after executing the job as in the first embodiment, the user cannot continue to execute the job or perform settings on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which, when the image forming apparatus receives job information, if the same user who sent the job information is logged in, the logout process is not performed after the job is executed. Furthermore, if a user logs in to the image forming apparatus by operating the operation panel of the image forming apparatus and then opens a function setting screen to execute a specific function, and then sends job information for another function from the data processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus and executes the job, there is a possibility that processing unintended by the user will be performed. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus receives job information, if the home screen 610 is displayed, the job is executed, but if a screen other than the home screen 610 (for example, a function setting screen) is displayed, the job is not executed. The basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so only the differences are shown.

[0095] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the image forming apparatus 104 in this embodiment after receiving job information from the data processing apparatus. Each operation (step) shown in the flowchart in Fig. 10 is realized by the CPU 302 reading into the RAM 303 a program for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 304 or HDD 305 and executing it. The basic configuration of this flowchart is the same as that of the flowchart in Fig. 9, so only the differences are shown.

[0096] In S1001, the job control unit 507 determines whether the user information included in the received job information matches the user information currently logged in to the image forming device, and if they match, proceeds to S1002; if not, proceeds to S1010 and notifies the data processing device 101 of an error.

[0097] In S1002, the UI control unit 502 determines whether or not the home screen 610 is displayed on the operation unit 307, and if the home screen is displayed, the process proceeds to S905, and if not, the process proceeds to S1010 and notifies an error to the data processing device 101. Here, as an example, it is determined whether or not the home screen 610 is displayed, but it is also possible to determine whether or not a screen other than the home screen, for example, a screen for checking the execution status of a job, is displayed.

[0098] After sending the email in S910, in S1003 the UI control unit 502 displays the home screen 610. In other words, even if the received job is executed, the logout process is not performed.

[0099] In S1004, the auto-clear control unit 508 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving an operation from the user. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S912 and a logout process is performed. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, S1004 is repeated.

[0100] As explained above, according to this embodiment, if the image forming apparatus receives a job execution from a data processing apparatus while locally logged in, the image forming apparatus does not log out after completing the job execution. This allows a user who wants to continue operating the image forming apparatus to continue operating the operation panel. In the above example, an example was shown in which the user is not logged out based on the job execution, but it is also possible to configure the image forming apparatus to execute the logout process based on the job execution.

[0101] Example 3 In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the image forming apparatus receives job information from the data processing apparatus and automatically logs out when the job information is executed. However, it is inconvenient for the user if the image forming apparatus logs out even though the user is operating the operation panel of the image forming apparatus after the image forming apparatus sends the job from the data processing apparatus. Therefore, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the user does not log out after the job is executed if the user is operating the operation panel of the image forming apparatus after the image forming apparatus sends the job information from the data processing apparatus. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, only the differences will be described.

[0102] 9, the UI control unit 502 determines whether a screen transition has occurred due to a user operation. If a screen transition has occurred, the processing ends without going through the logout processing of S912, and if a screen transition has not occurred, the processing proceeds to S912 and the logout processing is performed. Here, the determination of whether a screen transition has occurred is made by determining whether a screen different from the "scan and send" setting screen 620 or the processing in progress screen 630 is displayed ... However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to determine whether an operation has been accepted on the operation panel of the image forming device 104 after the image forming device 104 receives job information.

[0103] By the above process, if the user is operating the operation panel of the image forming device after the image forming device has sent job information from the data processing device, the logout process is not performed, so the user can continue operating the operation panel of the image forming device.

[0104] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. In this case, the computer program and the storage medium storing the computer program constitute the present invention.

Claims

[Claim 1] An image forming apparatus, a receiving unit for receiving job information including user information from a terminal, the job information being for executing a function of the image forming apparatus; a login unit that logs a user into the image forming apparatus based on user information included in the job information received by the receiving unit; an execution means for executing a job based on the job information received by the receiving means; and a logout unit that logs the user out of the image forming apparatus based on the execution of a job by the execution unit.

Images