Information processing device and information processing program

Abstract

To suppress the occurrence of erroneous transmission as compared with a configuration in which a destination update process that can be set in a device is performed without considering information obtained from a user.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a processor, and the processor sets a plurality of destination groups in which a plurality of destinations that can be respectively set for the two or more devices are combined from among destinations that can be respectively set for the plurality of devices connected via communication means, and the priority for updating the destination included in the destination group is set for each of the plurality of destination groups by using acquired information obtained from a user authenticated by the input of the authentication information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus that can suppress an increase in memory capacity without reducing the speed of access to user information desired by the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-049970 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a shared office consisting of multiple bases such as base A and base B, one or more image forming devices are often installed at each base. Some image forming devices installed in the shared office can set a destination group that combines multiple destinations that can be set to the image forming devices at two or more bases from among the destinations that can be set to the image forming devices at each base. Some image forming devices can perform an update process that adds or deletes destinations included in the destination group based on a user's operation. As an example, the update process can target the image forming devices at all the bases where the destination group is set.

[0005] Here, when performing update processing on an image forming device installed in a shared office, it is expected that it will take a long time to complete the update processing due to the fact that an image forming device is installed at each base, the fact that the multiple bases are far apart, the fact that a large number of destinations are registered for use by a large number of users, etc. Therefore, if the priority of performing the update processing is not taken into consideration, for example, there is a risk of erroneous sending, such as sending information to a destination that has already been deleted from the destination group, without completing the update processing for the destination group that is the transmission target.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the occurrence of erroneous transmissions, compared to a configuration in which an update process for destinations that can be set in a device is performed without taking into account information obtained from a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device of a first aspect includes a processor, which sets multiple destination groups each combining multiple destinations that can be set to two or more devices from among destinations that can be set to each of multiple devices connected via a communication means, and sets a priority for performing update processing of the destinations included in the destination group to each of the multiple destination groups using acquired information obtained from a user authenticated by inputting authentication information.

[0008] An information processing device of a second aspect is an information processing device of the first aspect, wherein the acquired information is composed of at least one component information of the frequency of events hosted by each of the multiple destination groups per unit time, the number of destinations included in each of the multiple destination groups, the frequency of sending information sent by each of the multiple destination groups per unit time, and the frequency of receiving information received by each of the multiple destination groups per unit time.

[0009] An information processing device of a third aspect is an information processing device of the second aspect, wherein when the acquired information is composed of a plurality of the configuration information, the processor sets the priority to each of the plurality of destination groups using a calculation result weighted according to each of the configuration information.

[0010] An information processing device of a fourth aspect is an information processing device of the second or third aspect, and when the number of destination groups including the destination corresponding to a user authenticated by inputting authentication information exceeds a predetermined threshold, the processor performs the update process on some of the devices among the multiple devices.

[0011] An information processing device of a fifth aspect is an information processing device of the second aspect, wherein, when the number of destination groups including the destination corresponding to a user authenticated by inputting authentication information falls below a predetermined threshold, the processor performs the update process only on the destination group including the destination corresponding to the user.

[0012] An information processing device of a sixth aspect is an information processing device of any of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the processor accepts authority settings for whether to grant at least one of viewing authority that enables only corresponding users corresponding to the destinations included in the destination group to view the destinations included in the destination group, and editing authority that enables editing of the destinations included in the destination group.

[0013] An information processing device of a seventh aspect is an information processing device of the sixth aspect, wherein the processor determines whether to grant at least one of the viewing authority and the editing authority only to the corresponding user depending on the type of event hosted by the destination group.

[0014] An information processing device of an eighth aspect is an information processing device of the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the corresponding users include authenticatable users who can be authenticated by inputting authentication information and unauthenticable users who cannot become the authenticatable users, and when the corresponding users include the authenticatable users and the unauthenticable users, the processor grants at least one of the viewing authority and the editing authority only to the authenticatable users.

[0015] An information processing device of a ninth aspect is an information processing device of any of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the processor sets the priority for each of a plurality of destination groups, and then displays the update date of the most recent update process for the destination included in the destination group selected by a user authenticated by inputting authentication information.

[0016] An information processing program of a tenth aspect causes a computer to execute a process of setting multiple destination groups each combining multiple destinations that can be set to two or more devices from among destinations that can be set to each of multiple devices connected via a communication means, and setting, for each of the multiple destination groups, a priority for performing update processing of the destinations included in the destination group, using acquired information obtained from a user authenticated by inputting authentication information. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the first aspect, the occurrence of erroneous transmission is suppressed, compared to a configuration in which an update process for destinations that can be set in a device is performed without taking into account information obtained from a user.

[0018] According to a second aspect, a priority is set for each of a plurality of destination groups using at least one configuration information.

[0019] According to the third aspect, when the acquisition information is made up of a plurality of pieces of configuration information, a priority that takes into consideration the importance of each piece of configuration information is set for each of the plurality of destination groups.

[0020] According to the fourth aspect, the time required for the update process is reduced compared to a configuration in which the update process is performed on all of a plurality of devices when the number of destination groups including destinations corresponding to a user authenticated by inputting authentication information exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0021] According to the fifth aspect, the time required for the update process is reduced compared to a configuration in which the update process is performed on all destination groups when the number of destination groups including destinations corresponding to a user authenticated by inputting authentication information falls below a predetermined threshold.

[0022] According to the sixth aspect, the confidentiality of information obtainable from an information processing device can be improved, compared to a configuration in which at least one of viewing authority and editing authority is given to all users who can use the information processing device.

[0023] According to the seventh aspect, the disclosure range of information that can be acquired from the information processing device is limited depending on the type of event hosted by the destination group.

[0024] According to the eighth aspect, when corresponding users include authenticable users and unauthenticable users, the confidentiality of information that can be obtained from an information processing device can be improved compared to a configuration in which at least one of viewing authority and editing authority is granted to all corresponding users.

[0025] According to the ninth aspect, the user can recognize the update date when the most recent update process was performed.

[0026] According to the tenth aspect, the occurrence of erroneous transmission is suppressed, compared to a configuration in which an update process for a destination that can be set in a device is performed without taking into account information obtained from a user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a destination sharing system. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus; FIG. [Diagram 3]2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus; FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a setting process. [Diagram 5] 11 is a display example showing destinations set in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] 13 is a first display example showing an inter-site destination group. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of an update process. [Figure 8] 11 is a display example showing acquired information. [Figure 9] 13 is a display example showing the latest destination list A and destination list B. [Figure 10] 13 is a second display example showing an inter-site destination group. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a transmission process. [Figure 12] 13 is a display example showing a confirmation screen. [Figure 13] 13 is a third display example showing an inter-site destination group. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the usage frequency of users. [Figure 15] 13 is a fourth display example showing an inter-site destination group. [Figure 16] 13 is a first display example showing a setting screen for authority setting. [Figure 17] 13 is a second display example showing the setting screen for authority setting. [Figure 18] 13 is a display example showing public event information. [Figure 19] 13 is a fifth display example showing an inter-site destination group. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] (First embodiment) The destination sharing system according to the present embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a destination sharing system.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the destination sharing system includes an image forming apparatus 10, an image forming apparatus 50, a management server 90, and a cloud storage 92.

[0030] As an example, image forming apparatus 10 and image forming apparatus 50 are installed in a shared office where multiple companies share office space. In the first embodiment, the shared office is made up of multiple physically separated bases such as base A and base B. Image forming apparatus 10 is installed at "base A" among the multiple bases, and image forming apparatus 50 is installed at "base B" among the multiple bases. Image forming apparatus 10 and image forming apparatus 50 are examples of information processing apparatuses.

[0031] The management server 90 is a computer managed by an administrator of the shared office, and stores at least the frequency of events, which will be described later.

[0032] The cloud storage 92 is a storage device that stores various data. The cloud storage 92 stores at least acquired information, which will be described later.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 50, the management server 90, and the cloud storage 92 are connected via a network N and are capable of communicating with each other. For example, the Internet, a LAN (=Local Area Network), a WAN (=Wide Area Network), etc. are applied to this network N. The network N is an example of a "communication means."

[0034] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 20 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 20 includes a CPU 22 (=Central Processing Unit), a ROM 24 (=Read Only Memory), a RAM 26 (=Random Access Memory), and an input / output interface (=I / O) 28, which are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other. The CPU 22 is an example of a "processor."

[0035] The CPU 22 is a central processing unit, and executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 22 reads a program from the ROM 24 or the storage unit 30 described later, and executes the program using the RAM 26 as a working area. The CPU 22 controls each of the above-mentioned components and performs various arithmetic processing according to the program recorded in the ROM 24 or the storage unit 30. In the first embodiment, the ROM 24 or the storage unit 30 stores an information processing program for executing at least a setting process, an update process, and a transmission process described later. The information processing program may be pre-installed in the image forming apparatus 10, or may be stored in a non-volatile storage medium, or distributed via the network N and appropriately installed in the image forming apparatus 10. Examples of the non-volatile storage medium include a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, a HDD (=Hard Disk Drive), a DVD-ROM, a flash memory, a memory card, and the like.

[0036] The ROM 24 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 26 serves as a working area for temporarily storing programs or data.

[0037] A storage unit 30, a display unit 32, an operation unit 34, an image forming unit 36, a document reading unit 38, and a communication unit 40 are connected to the I / O 28. Each of these units is capable of communicating with the CPU 22 via the I / O 28.

[0038] The storage unit 30 is configured with a storage device such as an HDD, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory, and stores various programs and various data.

[0039] For example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display is used for the display unit 32. The display unit 32 is integrally provided with a touch panel.

[0040] The operation unit 34 is provided with various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key.

[0041] The display unit 32 and the operation unit 34 receive various instructions from a user of the image forming apparatus 10. The various instructions include, for example, an instruction to start reading a document, an instruction to start copying a document, etc. The display unit 32 displays various information such as the result of a process executed in response to an instruction received from the user and a notification regarding the process.

[0042] The document reading unit 38 takes in documents placed on a paper feed tray of an automatic document feeder (not shown) provided on the top of the image forming apparatus 10, one by one, and obtains image information by optically reading the taken-in documents. Alternatively, the document reading unit 38 obtains image information by optically reading a document placed on a document tray such as a platen glass.

[0043] The image forming unit 36 ​​forms an image based on image information obtained by reading with the document reading unit 38 or image information obtained from an external PC or the like connected via the network N, on a recording medium such as paper.

[0044] The communication unit 40 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 10 to communicate with an external PC, the image forming apparatus 50, etc. For this communication, for example, a wired communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or FDDI, or a wireless communication standard such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used.

[0045] When executing the information processing program, the image forming apparatus 10 uses the hardware resources described above to execute processing based on the information processing program.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 50 includes a control unit 60 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 50. The control unit 60 includes a CPU 62, a ROM 64, a RAM 66, and an I / O 68 that are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other. The CPU 62 is an example of a "processor."

[0047] The CPU 62 is a central processing unit, and executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 62 reads a program from the ROM 64 or the storage unit 70 described later, and executes the program using the RAM 66 as a working area. The CPU 62 controls each of the above-mentioned components and performs various arithmetic processing according to the program recorded in the ROM 64 or the storage unit 70. In the first embodiment, the ROM 64 or the storage unit 70 stores an information processing program for executing at least a setting process, an update process, and a transmission process described later. The information processing program may be pre-installed in the image forming apparatus 50, or may be stored in a non-volatile storage medium, or distributed via the network N and appropriately installed in the image forming apparatus 50. Examples of the non-volatile storage medium include a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, a HDD, a DVD-ROM, a flash memory, and a memory card.

[0048] The ROM 64 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 66 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area.

[0049] The I / O 68 is connected to a storage unit 70, a display unit 72, an operation unit 74, an image forming unit 76, a document reading unit 78, and a communication unit 80. Each of these units is capable of communicating with the CPU 62 via the I / O 68.

[0050] The storage unit 70 is configured with a storage device such as an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory, and stores various programs and various data.

[0051] For example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. are used for the display unit 72. The display unit 72 is integrally provided with a touch panel. The operation unit 74 is provided with various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key.

[0052] The display unit 72 and the operation unit 74 receive various instructions from a user of the image forming apparatus 50. The various instructions include, for example, an instruction to start reading a document, an instruction to start copying a document, etc. The display unit 72 displays various information such as the result of a process executed in response to an instruction received from the user and a notification regarding the process.

[0053] The document reading unit 78 takes in documents placed on a paper feed tray of an automatic document feeder (not shown) provided on the top of the image forming apparatus 50, one by one, and optically reads the taken-in documents to obtain image information. Alternatively, the document reading unit 78 optically reads a document placed on a document tray such as a platen glass to obtain image information.

[0054] The image forming unit 76 forms an image based on image information obtained by reading with the document reading unit 78 or image information obtained from an external PC or the like connected via the network N, on a recording medium such as paper.

[0055] The communication unit 80 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 50 to communicate with an external PC, the image forming apparatus 10, etc. For this communication, for example, a wired communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or FDDI, or a wireless communication standard such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used.

[0056] When executing the information processing program, the image forming apparatus 50 uses the hardware resources described above to execute processing based on the information processing program.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a setting process for setting an inter-site destination group. An inter-site destination group is a combination of destinations that can be set to the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 50, among destinations that can be set to each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses (e.g., the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 50). The inter-site destination group is an example of a "destination group." In the first embodiment, an email address and a user name corresponding to the email address are set as the above-mentioned destination.

[0058] In the following, a case where the CPU 22 of the image forming apparatus 10 performs the setting process will be described. The CPU 22 reads out an information processing program from the ROM 24 or the storage unit 30, deploys it in the RAM 26, and executes it, whereby the image forming apparatus 10 performs the setting process.

[0059] 4, the CPU 22 acquires, from the ROM 24 or the storage unit 30, the destination table A set in the image forming apparatus 10 installed at the site A. Then, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0060] Here, as described above, the destination list A is stored in the ROM 24 or the storage unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 10. This destination list A includes all destinations set in the image forming apparatus 10. In the first embodiment, viewing authority that enables viewing of the destination list A is given to all users who can use the shared office.

[0061] In step S11, the CPU 22 acquires, via the communication unit 40, the destination table B set in the image forming apparatus 50 installed at the site B. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0062] Here, the destination table B is stored in the ROM 64 or the storage unit 70 of the image forming device 50. This destination table B includes all destinations set in the image forming device 50. In the first embodiment, a viewing authority that allows viewing of the destination table B is given to all users who can use the shared office.

[0063] In step S12, the CPU 22 generates an inter-site destination group by combining a plurality of destinations that can be set to the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 50, from among destinations that can be set to each of the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 50. Then, the process ends.

[0064] 5A and 5B are display examples showing all destinations set in each of the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 50. Specifically, Fig. 5A shows all destinations included in destination table A, and Fig. 5B shows all destinations included in destination table B.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 5(A), destination list A of image forming device 10 includes three groups: “Group A” consisting of User 1 and User 2, “Group B” consisting of User 3 and User 4, and “Group C” consisting of User 5 and User 6.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5(B), destination table B of image forming device 50 includes three groups: “Group A” consisting of user 7 and user 8, “Group B” consisting of user 9 and user 10, and “Group D” consisting of user 11 and user 12.

[0067] Note that FIG. 5 shows an example in which a group made up of multiple destinations is set in each of destination tables A and B, but this is not limited thereto, and destination tables A and B may be in a format in which individual destinations are listed.

[0068] 6 is a first display example showing an inter-site destination group. Note that in FIG. 6, the inter-site destination group is shown on the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0069] As shown in Figure 6, the inter-site destination group includes four groups: "Group A" consisting of user 1, user 2, user 7, and user 8; "Group B" consisting of user 3, user 4, user 9, and user 10; "Group C" consisting of user 5 and user 6; and "Group D" consisting of user 11 and user 12.

[0070] In this manner, in step S12 shown in Fig. 4, for groups (e.g., groups A and B) common to destination table A and destination table B, the CPU 22 generates one inter-site destination group (e.g., groups A and B) combining destinations included in the groups. Also, in step S12 shown in Fig. 4, for groups (e.g., groups C and D) that exist independently in destination table A or destination table B, the CPU 22 generates an inter-site destination group (e.g., groups C and D) that maintains the destinations included in the group.

[0071] In the first embodiment, the inter-site destination group generated in step S12 shown in Fig. 4 is shared by the image forming apparatuses installed at each site in the shared office and stored in each image forming apparatus. For example, the inter-site destination group generated in step S12 shown in Fig. 4 (see Fig. 6) is stored in the ROM 24 or storage unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 10, and the ROM 64 or storage unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 50.

[0072] 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the update process for updating an inter-base destination group. Note that the following describes a case where the update process is performed by the image forming apparatus 10. The update process is performed by the image forming apparatus 10 when the CPU 22 reads out an information processing program from the ROM 24 or the storage unit 30, loads it into the RAM 26, and executes it.

[0073] 7, the CPU 22 performs user authentication for the image forming apparatus 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S21. As an example, if the "user name" and "password" of a pre-registered user match the input "user name" and "password," the CPU 22 permits the user to log in to the image forming apparatus 10. In this way, in the first embodiment, user authentication is performed by password authentication in which a "user name" and a "password" are input as "authentication information."

[0074] In step S21, the CPU 22 acquires, from the cloud storage 92, acquisition information obtained from a user authenticated by inputting authentication information, via the communication unit 40. Then, the process proceeds to step S22. Details of the acquisition information will be described later.

[0075] In step S22, the CPU 22 sets an update priority for performing update processing of the destinations included in the inter-site destination group to each of the multiple inter-site destination groups. Then, the process proceeds to step S23. The update priority is an example of "priority".

[0076] FIG. 8 is a display example showing the acquired information stored in the cloud storage 92. In FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, cloud storage 92 stores, as acquired information, “event frequency,” “group size,” “frequency of sending messages,” “frequency of receiving messages,” “evaluation value,” and “update priority” corresponding to each inter-location destination group.

[0077] The frequency of events refers to the number of events, such as exhibitions, seminars, training sessions, and product launches, that have been hosted by each inter-base destination group within the last three months. An event is an example of an "event," and within the last three months is an example of "per unit time." The original data on the frequency of events is stored in the management server 90, and the latest data from the management server 90 is written to the cloud storage 92 at a predetermined frequency. In the first embodiment, the higher the frequency of events, the higher the update priority, which will be described later.

[0078] The group size is the number of users in the group corresponding to the destinations included in each inter-site destination group. The users in the group are an example of a "corresponding user." In the first embodiment, the larger the group size, the higher the update priority, which will be described later.

[0079] The sending frequency is the number of times information has been sent by users in each inter-base destination group within the last three months. The above-mentioned "sent information" is assumed to be the number of times scanned data was sent by email, the number of times a fax was sent, etc. Within the last three months is an example of "per unit time." Note that in the first embodiment, the higher the sending frequency, the higher the update priority, which will be described later.

[0080] The reception frequency is the number of times information has been received within the last three months with each base destination group as the destination. The above-mentioned "received information" is assumed to be the number of times scanned data has been received by email, the number of times a fax has been received, etc. Within the last three months is an example of "per unit time." Note that in the first embodiment, the higher the reception frequency, the higher the update priority, which will be described later.

[0081] The above “group size,” “frequency of sending messages,” and “frequency of receiving messages” are data managed by image forming devices installed at each location in the shared office, and when the data is updated on the image forming device, the latest data is written to cloud storage 92.

[0082] The evaluation value is a calculation result in which the frequency of events, the size of the group, the frequency of sending messages, and the frequency of receiving messages are weighted according to each of them. In the first embodiment, as an example, the weight of the frequency of events is "x1", the weight of the group size is "x2", the weight of the frequency of sending messages is "x3", and the weight of the frequency of receiving messages is "x4".

[0083] The update priority is the order in which update processes, which will be described later, are executed. The update priority is determined in ascending order of the evaluation value.

[0084] For example, in Fig. 8, the evaluation value of group A is "3x1+4x2+5x3+2x4=34", the evaluation value of group B is "4x1+4x2+10x3+9x4=78", the evaluation value of group C is "1x1+2x2+4x3+3x4=29", and the evaluation value of group D is "7x1+2x2+2x3+1x4=21". As a result, the update priority shown in Fig. 8 is that group B, which has an update priority of "1", has the highest update priority, followed by group A, group C, and group D.

[0085] Here, in Fig. 8, "a number equal to or greater than 1" is set as the update priority, but in addition to this, by setting "0" or "none" as the update priority, it is possible to indicate inter-site destination groups for which update processing is not executed. For example, when performing update processing on some inter-site destination groups, it is assumed that the update priority of the inter-site destination groups for which update processing is executed is set to "a number equal to or greater than 1" as shown in Fig. 8, and the update priority of the inter-site destination groups for which update processing is not executed is set to "0".

[0086] 7, in step S23, the CPU 22 performs an update process of the destinations included in the inter-site destination group in the order according to the update priority set in step S22, and then ends the process.

[0087] The process of step S23 is performed as follows. In step S23, the CPU 22 obtains the latest destination table A and destination table B from the ROM 24 or storage unit 30 and the ROM 64 or storage unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 50.

[0088] Fig. 9 is a display example showing the latest destination tables A and B. The latest destination table A shown in Fig. 9(A) differs from the destination table A (see Fig. 5(A)) acquired in step S10 shown in Fig. 4 in that "user 13" has been added to group A. The latest destination table B shown in Fig. 9(B) differs from the destination table B (see Fig. 5(B)) acquired in step S11 shown in Fig. 4 in that "user 10" has been deleted from group B.

[0089] Next, the CPU 22 updates the destinations included in the inter-site destination group based on the latest destination table A and destination table B acquired above.

[0090] Fig. 10 is a second display example showing inter-site destination groups. The inter-site destination group shown in Fig. 10 shows a state after an update is performed on the inter-site destination group (see Fig. 6) generated in step S12 shown in Fig. 4 to add "user 13" to group A and to delete "user 10" from group B. Among the inter-site destination groups shown in Fig. 10, groups C and D have not changed from the inter-site destination group (see Fig. 6) generated in step S12 shown in Fig. 4. In this way, in the first embodiment, the update process is performed on all inter-site destination groups, regardless of whether or not the actual destinations have been updated.

[0091] 7 is performed on the image forming apparatus 10, the same update process as above is also performed on the image forming apparatus 50 installed at the location B of the shared office. As a result, the inter-location destination group stored in the ROM 64 or the storage unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 50 is also updated to the same content as the inter-location destination group shown in FIG.

[0092] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a transmission process for sending scan data to a specific inter-site destination group by email. Note that the following describes a case where the transmission process is performed by the image forming device 10. The transmission process is performed by the image forming device 10 when the CPU 22 reads out an information processing program from the ROM 24 or the storage unit 30, expands it into the RAM 26, and executes it.

[0093] 11, the CPU 22 performs user authentication for the image forming apparatus 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S31. Note that, in this step S30, the user authentication is performed by password authentication, similarly to step S20 shown in FIG.

[0094] In step S31, the CPU 22 accepts a destination to which the scan data is to be sent by email. Then, the process proceeds to step S32. For example, in step S31, the base destination groups shown in FIG. 10 are displayed on the display unit 32, and a specific base destination group (e.g., group B) selected from the base destination groups is set as the destination.

[0095] In step S32, the CPU 22 causes the display unit 32 to display the update date of the most recent update process of the destinations included in the specific inter-site destination group (e.g., group B) accepted as the transmission destination in step S31. Then, the process proceeds to step S33.

[0096] FIG. 12 is a display example showing a confirmation screen displayed on the display unit 32 before the scan data is sent by email.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 12, the confirmation screen displays destination information 31 indicating the destination, update date information 33 indicating the update date of the most recent update process, a send button 35, and a do not send button 37. For example, in FIG. 12, the destination information 31 is displayed as "Group B" and the update date information 33 is displayed as "November 11, 2020". In addition, in the first embodiment, if the user operates the send button 35 while the confirmation screen is displayed, the scan data is sent by email (see step S33 shown in FIG. 11). On the other hand, in the first embodiment, if the user operates the do not send button 37 while the confirmation screen is displayed, the transmission process shown in FIG. 11 is stopped and the screen of the display unit 32 changes to a predetermined content.

[0098] 11, in step S33, the CPU 22 transmits the scan data by email to the destinations included in the specific inter-base destination group (e.g., group B) that were accepted as the destinations in step S31. Then, the process ends. As described above, step S33 is executed when the user operates the send button 35 while the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 12 is being displayed.

[0099] Here, in the first embodiment, after user authentication is performed on the image forming apparatus 10 (see step S20 shown in FIG. 7), the destinations included in the inter-site destination group are updated (see step S23 shown in FIG. 7). In this way, in the first embodiment, the destinations included in the inter-site destination group are updated while the user is logged in to the image forming apparatus installed in the shared office.

[0100] After a user logs in to the image forming apparatus 10 (see step S20 shown in FIG. 7 and step S30 shown in FIG. 11), the CPU 22 can execute the processes from step S21 to step S23 and the processes from step S31 to step S33. In the first embodiment, parallel processing by the CPU 22 is enabled, and the processes from step S21 to step S23 and the processes from step S31 to step S33 are executed in parallel.

[0101] Therefore, in the description of step S31 shown in Fig. 11 above, it has been described that the inter-site destination group shown in Fig. 10 is displayed on the display unit 32, but depending on the progress of the process, the inter-site destination group shown in Fig. 6 may be displayed on the display unit 32 in step S31. In this way, when the inter-site destination group before the update is displayed on the display unit 32, one of the inter-site destination groups before the update is set as the destination, and there is a risk of erroneous sending, such as sending information to a destination that has already been deleted from the inter-site destination group. Note that the "erroneous sending" includes not only delivery to the wrong destination as described above, but also not reaching any destination due to a destination error, and not sending information to a destination newly added to the inter-site destination group.

[0102] The above problem occurs prominently in an image forming device installed in a shared office consisting of multiple bases such as base A and base B. Specifically, when an image forming device is used in a shared office, it takes a long time to complete the update process due to the fact that an image forming device is installed at each base, the multiple bases are far apart, and a large number of destinations are registered for use by a large number of users, and so on, and therefore, the transmission process may be completed before the update process is completed.

[0103] Therefore, in the first embodiment, the CPU 22 sets a plurality of inter-site destination groups, and sets, for each of the plurality of inter-site destination groups, an update priority for performing an update process for the destinations included in the inter-site destination group, using acquired information obtained from a user authenticated by inputting authentication information. In this way, in the first embodiment, by setting an update priority for each of the plurality of inter-site destination groups, it is possible to increase the possibility that the update process will be completed before the transmission process is completed, at least for the inter-site destination group with the high update priority.

[0104] With the above configuration, according to the first embodiment, the occurrence of erroneous transmission is suppressed compared to a configuration in which the process of updating destinations that can be set in the image forming apparatus is performed without taking into account information obtained from the user.

[0105] Moreover, the acquired information in the first embodiment is composed of the configuration information of the event frequency, group size, transmission frequency, and reception frequency described above. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the update priority is set for each of the multiple inter-site destination groups using the configuration information. Note that the configuration information does not necessarily need to include all of the event frequency, group size, transmission frequency, and reception frequency, but may include at least one of the event frequency, group size, transmission frequency, and reception frequency.

[0106] In the first embodiment, the CPU 22 sets an update priority for each of the multiple base destination groups using a calculation result weighted according to each piece of configuration information. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, an update priority that takes into account the importance of each piece of configuration information is set for each of the multiple base destination groups.

[0107] In the first embodiment, the CPU 22 sets update priorities for each of a plurality of inter-site destination groups, and then displays the update date of the most recent update process of the destinations included in a specific inter-site destination group selected by a user authenticated by inputting authentication information (see step S32 shown in FIG. 11). Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the user can recognize the update date of the most recent update process.

[0108] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described while omitting or simplifying parts that overlap with other embodiments.

[0109] The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the update process is executed for all inter-site destination groups in that the update process can be executed for some inter-site destination groups.

[0110] In the second embodiment, when the number of inter-site destination groups including destinations corresponding to a user authenticated by inputting authentication information falls below "3", the CPU 22 performs an update process only on the inter-site destination groups including destinations corresponding to the user. The above "3" is an example of the "predetermined threshold value".

[0111] Hereinafter, a case where a user authenticated by inputting authentication information is referred to as "user 1" will be described with reference to FIG.

[0112] 13 is a third display example showing an inter-site destination group. Note that, in FIG. 13, the inter-site destination group is shown on the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0113] 13, the inter-site destination groups include four groups: "Group A" consisting of User 1, User 2, User 7, and User 8, "Group B" consisting of User 1, User 4, User 9, and User 10, "Group C" consisting of User 5 and User 6, and "Group D" consisting of User 11 and User 12. In this example, User 1, who has been authenticated by inputting authentication information, has his / her own destination included in two of the four inter-site destination groups.

[0114] 7, the CPU 22 performs the update process only on the A group and the B group that include the destination corresponding to the user 1. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the time required for the update process is reduced compared to a configuration in which the update process is performed on all inter-site destination groups when the number of inter-site destination groups that include the destination corresponding to the user authenticated by inputting authentication information falls below "3".

[0115] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described while omitting or simplifying parts that overlap with other embodiments.

[0116] The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the update process can be performed on image forming devices installed at some of the locations in the shared office, in that the update process can be performed on image forming devices installed at all locations in the shared office.

[0117] In the third embodiment, image forming devices installed at locations among the multiple locations of a shared office where the frequency of use by a user authenticated by inputting authentication information is below a predetermined threshold are excluded from the update process, and the update process is performed on the other image forming devices.

[0118] 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the usage frequency of a user corresponding to each of a plurality of bases of a shared office. In the following, the user is referred to as "user 1" and the usage frequency of user 1 will be described as an example.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 14, the usage frequency of user 1 is "5 times" at location A, "10 times" at location B, "4 times" at location C, and "2 times" at location D. This "usage frequency" can be, for example, the number of times entering each location, or the number of times the image forming device is used at each location. As an example, if the usage frequency is "the number of times entering each location", it is assumed that the data of the usage frequency is stored in the management server 90 and the data is read out to the image forming device before the update process shown in FIG. 7 is executed. As an example, if the usage frequency is "the number of times the image forming device is used at each location", it is assumed that the data of the usage frequency is stored in the cloud storage 92 and the data is read out to the image forming device before the update process shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

[0120] Here, in the third embodiment, when the number of inter-site destination groups including destinations corresponding to a user authenticated by inputting authentication information exceeds "2", the update process is performed on image forming devices installed at some of the sites in the shared office. The above "2" is an example of a "predetermined threshold". In this case, based on the user's usage frequency acquired before the update process is performed, the CPU 22 excludes from the update process image forming devices installed at sites among the multiple sites in the shared office whose usage frequency is below the predetermined threshold of "5", and performs the update process on image forming devices whose usage frequency is "5 or more".

[0121] 15 is a fourth display example showing an inter-site destination group. Note that in FIG. 15, the inter-site destination group is shown on the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0122] As shown in Fig. 15, the inter-site destination groups include four groups: "Group A" consisting of user 1, user 2, user 7, and user 8; "Group B" consisting of user 1, user 4, user 9, and user 10; "Group C" consisting of user 1 and user 6; and "Group D" consisting of user 11 and user 12. In this example, user 1, who is authenticated by inputting authentication information, has his / her own destination included in three of the four inter-site destination groups. Also, as shown in Fig. 14, the sites with a usage frequency of "5 or more" for user 1 are "Site A" and "Site B".

[0123] In the above case, the CPU 22 performs the update process only on the image forming device 10 installed at the base A and the image forming device 50 installed at the base B, which are used by the user 1 with a usage frequency of "5 or more." Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the time required for the update process is reduced compared to a configuration in which the update process is performed on the image forming devices installed at all the bases in the shared office when the number of inter-base destination groups including destinations corresponding to the user authenticated by inputting authentication information exceeds "2."

[0124] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described while omitting or simplifying parts that overlap with other embodiments.

[0125] The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that viewing permissions are granted to all users who can use the shared office in that viewing permissions are granted to some users who can use the shared office, enabling them to view destinations set on an image forming device installed in the shared office.

[0126] Fig. 16 is a first display example showing a setting screen for setting authority including the above-mentioned viewing authority and an editing authority that enables editing of destinations set in an image forming device installed in a shared office. Note that Fig. 16 shows the setting screen displayed on the display unit 32 of the image forming device 10.

[0127] As shown in Fig. 16, the setting screen displays message information 41, group information 43, a forward button 45, and a back button 47. Note that the setting screen shown in Fig. 16 is displayed, for example, by operating a setting button (not shown) for transitioning to the setting screen.

[0128] For example, in Fig. 16, "Please select the inter-site destination group for which you wish to set permissions" is displayed as message information 41. Also, in Fig. 16, group names indicating each group from group A to group D and check boxes provided above the group names are displayed as group information 43. Note that in this group information 43, only the check box for group A is checked.

[0129] In the fourth embodiment, when the user operates the forward button 45 while the setting screen shown in Fig. 16 is displayed, the contents of the screen change to the setting screen shown in Fig. 17. On the other hand, when the user operates the back button 47 while the setting screen shown in Fig. 16 is displayed, the authority setting is canceled and the screen of the display unit 32 changes to the predetermined contents.

[0130] 17 is a second display example showing the setting screen for setting the authority. Note that, in FIG. 17, the setting screen displayed on the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 10 is shown.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 17, message information 41, a forward button 45, a back button 47, and change information 49 are displayed on the setting screen.

[0132] For example, in Fig. 17, "Permission settings for group A have been changed" is displayed as message information 41. Also in Fig. 17, "Viewing permission: only users in group, editing permission: only users in group" is displayed as change information 49.

[0133] In the fourth embodiment, if the user operates the forward button 45 while the setting screen shown in Fig. 17 is displayed, the authority setting is confirmed and the screen of the display unit 32 changes to the predetermined content. As a result, only the in-group users of group A are granted a viewing authority that allows them to view the destinations included in group A, and an editing authority that allows them to edit the destinations included in group A. On the other hand, if the user operates the back button 47 while the setting screen shown in Fig. 17 is displayed, the authority setting is canceled and the screen of the display unit 32 changes to the predetermined content.

[0134] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the CPU 22 accepts an authority setting as to whether or not to grant a viewing authority that allows viewing of the destinations included in the inter-base destination group and an editing authority that allows editing of the destinations included in the inter-base destination group only to users in the group corresponding to the destinations included in the inter-base destination group. Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, the confidentiality of information that can be acquired from the image forming device installed in the shared office can be improved compared to a configuration in which viewing authority and editing authority are granted to all users who can use the shared office. Note that the authority setting does not necessarily need to include both viewing authority and editing authority, and it is sufficient to include at least one of viewing authority and editing authority.

[0135] Fifth embodiment Next, the fifth embodiment will be described while omitting or simplifying parts that overlap with other embodiments.

[0136] The fifth embodiment, like the fourth embodiment, is an embodiment in which it is possible to limit users to whom viewing authority and editing authority are given.

[0137] Specifically, in the fifth embodiment, depending on the type of event hosted by the inter-base destination group, the CPU 22 determines whether to grant viewing authority that enables only users within the group to view the destinations included in the inter-base destination group, and editing authority that enables them to edit the destinations included in the inter-base destination group.

[0138] Fig. 18 is a display example showing event disclosure information stored in the management server 90. Note that Fig. 18 shows event disclosure information for group A among the inter-base destination groups.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 18, the management server 90 stores "authority settings" corresponding to the type of event as event disclosure information in which whether or not the event can be disclosed to users other than those in the group is set. The "authority settings" can be set when each event is held, and the settings specified by the user who hosted the event are input to the management server 90. As an example, in FIG. 18, the authority settings for an event hosted by group A are set to "Yes" for exhibition, "Yes" for seminar, and "No" for game party. Note that an event with an authority setting of "Yes" means that viewing and editing rights are granted only to users in the group, and an event with an authority setting of "No" means that viewing and editing rights are granted to users other than those in the group.

[0140] With the above settings, for the exhibition and seminar among the events hosted by group A, only users in the group related to the exhibition and seminar are granted viewing rights that enable viewing of destinations included in the inter-base destination group corresponding to the exhibition and seminar, and editing rights that enable editing of destinations included in the inter-base destination group. On the other hand, for the game party among the events hosted by group A, for example, viewing rights that enable viewing of destinations included in the inter-base destination group corresponding to the game party and editing rights that enable editing of destinations included in the inter-base destination group are granted to all users who can use the shared office.

[0141] With the above configuration, according to the fifth embodiment, the disclosure range of information that can be acquired from the image forming device installed in the shared office is limited depending on the type of event hosted by the base destination group. Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, for example, by adding destinations corresponding to non-participants in an event to the base destination group generated for the event, it is possible to prevent non-participants in the event from acquiring materials that are intended to be sent only to participants of the event.

[0142] Sixth embodiment Next, the sixth embodiment will be described while omitting or simplifying parts that overlap with other embodiments.

[0143] The sixth embodiment, like the fourth embodiment, is an embodiment in which it is possible to limit users to whom viewing authority and editing authority are given.

[0144] Specifically, in the sixth embodiment, when the users in the group corresponding to the destinations included in the inter-base destination group include a user who can use the shared office (hereinafter referred to as a "shared office user") and a user who cannot use the shared office (hereinafter referred to as an "other user"), the CPU 22 grants viewing authority and editing authority only to the shared office user. The shared office user is an example of an "authenticable user who can be authenticated by inputting authentication information", and the other user is an example of an "unauthenticable user who cannot become an authenticable user". Note that in the sixth embodiment, it is not necessarily necessary to grant both viewing authority and editing authority only to the shared office user, and it is sufficient to grant at least one of the viewing authority and the editing authority only to the shared office user.

[0145] 19 is a fifth display example showing an inter-site destination group. Note that, in FIG. 19, the inter-site destination group is shown on the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0146] As shown in Fig. 19, the inter-site destination group includes four groups: "Group A" consisting of User 1, User 2, User 7, and User 8; "Group B" consisting of User 3, User 4, User 9, and User 10; "Group C" consisting of User 5 and User 6; and "Group D" consisting of User 11 and User 12. In addition, in the inter-site destination group shown in Fig. 19, "(inside)" or "(outside)" is written after the user name. This indicates that a user with "(inside)" written after the user name is a "shared office user," and a user with "(outside)" is an "other user."

[0147] Specifically, in group A, user 1 and user 7 are "shared office users", and user 2 and user 8 are "other users". In group B, user 4 and user 10 are "shared office users", and user 3 and user 9 are "other users". All users in groups C and D are "shared office users".

[0148] With the above settings, the viewing authority to view destinations included in group A and the editing authority to edit destinations included in group A are granted only to users 1 and 7 who are "shared office users." Also, the viewing authority to view destinations included in group B and the editing authority to edit destinations included in group B are granted only to users 4 and 10 who are "shared office users."

[0149] Here, the shared office user can view and edit the destinations included in the inter-site destination group by operating the image forming device installed in the shared office, and by executing an application (hereinafter, "app") managed by the administrator of the shared office on the terminal owned by the shared office user. For example, when an instruction to view the destinations included in the inter-site destination group is executed from the above-mentioned app, the destinations included in the latest inter-site destination group are obtained from a predetermined image forming device (e.g., an image forming device installed at a location that the user frequently uses), and the obtained destinations are displayed on the app.

[0150] In addition, the other users can use the above app on their own terminals in order to share documents and communicate with each other. However, since the other users are not given the viewing authority to view the destinations set in the image forming device installed in the shared office and the editing authority to edit the destinations set in the image forming device installed in the shared office, the other users cannot view and edit the destinations included in the inter-site destination group included in the group users on the app. The inter-site destination group stored in the image forming device installed in the shared office stores information indicating whether the user is a shared office user or another user, as described above (see FIG. 19). Based on the above information, the image forming device installed in the shared office is set not to respond to a request from another user to view or edit the destinations set in the image forming device installed in the shared office. Therefore, even if the above viewing request is made from another user via the app, the other users cannot view and edit the destinations included in the inter-site destination group included in the group users on the app executed by the other users.

[0151] With the above configuration, according to the sixth embodiment, the confidentiality of information that can be obtained from an image forming device installed in a shared office can be improved compared to a configuration in which viewing and editing permissions are granted to all users in a group when the users in the group include shared office users and other users.

[0152] (others) In the above embodiment, the setting process shown in Fig. 4, the update process shown in Fig. 7, and the transmission process shown in Fig. 11 are performed in the image forming apparatus 10. However, these processes can be performed not only in the image forming apparatus 10 but also in any image forming apparatus installed in a shared office. In other words, the processes executable by the CPU 22 of the image forming apparatus 10 can also be executed by the CPU 62 of the image forming apparatus 50, for example.

[0153] In the above embodiment, the case where the number of bases of the shared office is "two" or "four" has been described, but the number of bases is not particularly limited as long as it is multiple (two or more).

[0154] In the above embodiment, the acquired information is stored in cloud storage 92, but this is not limited to this. The acquired information may be stored in each image forming device installed in the shared office, and the device for storing the acquired information is not particularly limited.

[0155] In the above embodiment, the inter-site destination group is a combination of multiple destinations that can be set to the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 50, among destinations that can be set to each of the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 50, but this is not limited to the case where there are three or more image forming apparatuses installed in a shared office. For example, when there are four image forming apparatuses installed in a shared office, the inter-site destination group may be a combination of multiple destinations that can be set to two or more image forming apparatuses (e.g., the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 50) among destinations that can be set to each of the four image forming apparatuses. In other words, when there are three or more image forming apparatuses installed in a shared office, it is not necessary to combine multiple destinations that can be set to all image forming apparatuses installed in the shared office, but it is sufficient to combine multiple destinations that can be set to two or more image forming apparatuses installed in the shared office.

[0156] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which scanned data is sent by email from an image forming device installed in a shared office, and therefore an email address and a user name corresponding to the email address are set as the destination. However, this is not limiting, and the configuration of the above embodiment can be replaced with an example in which a FAX is sent from an image forming device installed in a shared office, and in the case of replacing with the FAX example, a FAX number and a user name corresponding to the FAX number may be set as the destination.

[0157] In the above embodiment, one inter-base destination group is generated by combining destinations included in a common group in destination table A and destination table B, but the generation method is not limited to this. For example, instead of combining destinations of groups set in destination table A and destination table B, one inter-base destination group may be generated by extracting destinations included in destination table A and destination table B individually and combining the extracted destinations.

[0158] In the above embodiment, the cloud storage 92 stores, as acquired information, "event frequency," "group size," "call frequency," "receive frequency," "evaluation value," and "update priority" corresponding to each of the inter-site destination groups. However, this is not limiting, and the "evaluation value" and "update priority" may be excluded from the information stored as acquired information. In this case, the "evaluation value" and "update priority" may be derived using the "event frequency," "group size," "call frequency," and "receive frequency" stored as acquired information each time the update process shown in FIG. 7 is performed.

[0159] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the specific inter-site destination group to which scan data is to be sent is one group selected from the inter-site destination groups, but this is not limited to the above, and the specific inter-site destination group may be multiple groups selected from the inter-site destination groups.

[0160] The above embodiments and the contents described in (Others) can be combined as appropriate.

[0161] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0162] In addition, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by one processor, but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0163] 10, 50 Image forming apparatus (an example of an information processing apparatus) 22, 62 CPU (an example of a processor)

Claims

1. A processor is provided. The processor, setting a plurality of destination groups each combining a plurality of destinations that can be set to two or more devices from among destinations that can be set to each of a plurality of devices connected via a communication means; setting, for each of the plurality of destination groups, a priority for performing an update process on the destinations included in the destination group, using acquired information obtained from a user authenticated by inputting authentication information; The acquired information is composed of at least one of configuration information of a frequency of events hosted by each of the plurality of destination groups per unit time and a number of the destinations included in each of the plurality of destination groups. Information processing device.

2. The processor, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the acquired information is made up of a plurality of pieces of the configuration information, the priority is set for each of the plurality of destination groups using a calculation result weighted according to each piece of the configuration information.

3. The processor, An information processing device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein when the number of destination groups including the destination corresponding to a user authenticated by inputting authentication information exceeds a predetermined threshold, the update process is performed on a portion of the devices among the plurality of devices.

4. The processor, The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the number of destination groups including the destination corresponding to a user authenticated by inputting authentication information falls below a predetermined threshold, the update process is performed only on the destination groups including the destination corresponding to the user.

5. The processor, An information processing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, which accepts authority settings for granting at least one of viewing authority enabling the destinations included in the destination group to be viewed only to corresponding users corresponding to the destinations included in the destination group, and editing authority enabling the destinations included in the destination group to be edited.

6. The processor, The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising: determining whether or not to grant at least one of the viewing authority and the editing authority only to the corresponding user, depending on a type of an event hosted by the destination group.

7. The corresponding users include an authenticatable user who can be authenticated by inputting authentication information, and an unauthenticable user who cannot become the authenticatable user, The processor, The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein when the corresponding users include the authenticatable users and the unauthenticable users, at least one of the viewing authority and the editing authority is granted only to the authenticatable users.

8. The processor, 8. An information processing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein after the priority is set for each of a plurality of destination groups, the update date of the most recent update process of the destination included in the destination group selected by a user authenticated by inputting authentication information is displayed.

9. On the computer, setting a plurality of destination groups each combining a plurality of destinations that can be set to two or more devices from among destinations that can be set to each of a plurality of devices connected via a communication means; setting, for each of the plurality of destination groups, a priority for performing an update process on the destinations included in the destination group, using acquired information obtained from a user authenticated by inputting authentication information; Execute the process, The acquired information is composed of at least one of configuration information of a frequency of events hosted by each of the plurality of destination groups per unit time and a number of the destinations included in each of the plurality of destination groups. Information processing program.

Images