Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and registration program

Abstract

To realize, in registering a user as an image processing apparatus user on a print service server, a lighter load on the user in the registration as the image processing apparatus user than when the user directly requests an administrator to perform authentication under an administrator right.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU configured to: acquire a registration request in which a user requests a print service server 50 to register the image processing apparatus and the user; acquire identification information about an administrator having an administrator right to the print service server 50; in response to the registration request, request the print service server 50 to register the image processing apparatus and the user; transmit, to the administrator identified by the identification information about the administrator, authentication information used to register the image processing apparatus and identification information about the user that are acquired from the print service server 50; and request the administrator to perform authentication under the administrator right to register the image processing apparatus and the user on the print service server 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a registration program.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 describe a printing system that supplies and prints print data from a print service system to an image forming apparatus that the user has not previously registered with the print service system.

[0003] The printing system described in Patent Document 1 includes an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus has an acquisition unit that acquires, by proximity communication, identification information of the image forming apparatus in the print service system from the image forming apparatus, and a transmission unit that transmits a setting request including the identification information of the image forming apparatus acquired by the acquisition unit and identification information of a user in the print service system, the setting request requesting a setting for enabling the user to use the image forming apparatus, to the print service system. The image forming apparatus has a holding unit that holds the identification information of the image forming apparatus in the print service system in a form that can be acquired by the acquisition unit of the information processing apparatus.

[0004] In addition, the printing system described in Patent Document 2 includes an information processing device and an image forming device. The information processing device uses the identification information of the user in the print service system and the authentication information for authenticating the identification information of the user to authenticate the user with respect to the print service system. In response to the success of the authentication, an authorization information acquisition means for acquiring access authorization information associated with the identification information of the user from the print service system, and a transmission means for transmitting the acquired access authorization information to the image forming device by proximity communication. The image forming device has a transmission means for transmitting a setting request to the print service system, the setting request including the access authorization information transmitted from the information processing device and the identification information of the image forming device in the print service system, and requesting a setting for enabling the user corresponding to the access authorization information to use the image forming device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in a print service server that provides a print service on the cloud, when registering a user of an image processing device with the print service server, for example, like "Universal Print" of Microsoft (registered trademark), it may be necessary for an administrator having administrator authority of the print service server to perform the registration work instead of the user who actually uses the image processing device. In this case, the user needs to directly request the administrator to use the image processing device by e-mail, phone, etc., and the burden on the user for registering the user of the image processing device is large.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a registration program that can reduce the burden on a user for registering a user of an image processing apparatus when registering the user as a user of the image processing apparatus with a print service server, as compared with a case where the user directly requests the administrator to use the image processing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to a first aspect includes a processor. The processor acquires a registration request in which a user requests registration of the own apparatus and the user to a print service apparatus, acquires identification information of an administrator having administrator authority of the print service apparatus, requests registration of the own apparatus and the user to the print service apparatus in response to the registration request, transmits authentication information for registering the own apparatus, which is obtained from the print service apparatus, and identification information of the user to an administrator specified by the identification information of the administrator, and requests authentication with administrator authority to the administrator to register the own apparatus and the user to the print service apparatus.

[0009] Also, an image processing apparatus according to a second aspect is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, in which the processor acquires the registration request from the user via a printer management apparatus that is connected to each of the user terminal and the own apparatus and to which the own apparatus is registered in advance from the user terminal of the user.

[0010] Also, an image processing apparatus according to a third aspect is the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, in which the identification information of the administrator is registered in advance in the printer management apparatus in association with the own apparatus.

[0011] Further, the image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the authentication information includes an authentication code and an authentication URL, and when the expiration date of the authentication code has passed, the processor retries the registration request for the own apparatus and the user to the print service apparatus, and acquires a new authentication code and an authentication URL from the print service apparatus.

[0012] Also, the image processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect is the image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the processor repeats the retry of the registration request for the own apparatus and the user a predetermined number of times.

[0013] Further, the image processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the identification information of the administrator is the administrator's email address, and the identification information of the user is the user's email address.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the image processing system according to the seventh aspect includes an image processing apparatus, a user terminal, and a printer management apparatus connected to each of the user terminal and the image processing apparatus and having the image processing apparatus pre-registered therein. The processor of the printer management apparatus receives, from the user terminal, a registration request in which the user requests registration of the image processing apparatus and the user to the print service apparatus, and transmits, together with the received registration request, the identification information of an administrator having the administrator authority of the print service apparatus to the image processing apparatus. The processor of the image processing apparatus acquires the registration request and the identification information of the administrator from the printer management apparatus, requests registration of the own apparatus and the user to the print service apparatus according to the registration request, and transmits the authentication information used for registration of the own apparatus and the identification information of the user, obtained from the print service apparatus, to the administrator specified by the identification information of the administrator, and requests the administrator to authenticate with the administrator authority to register the own apparatus and the user to the print service apparatus.

[0015] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the registration program according to the eighth aspect acquires a registration request in which a user requests registration of the own device and the user to the print service device, acquires identification information of an administrator having administrator authority of the print service device, requests registration of the own device and the user to the print service device according to the registration request, transmits authentication information used for registration of the own device and the identification information of the user, which are obtained from the print service device, to an administrator specified by the identification information of the administrator, and requests the administrator to perform authentication with administrator authority to register the own device and the user to the print service device, and causes a computer to execute the same.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the first aspect and the eighth aspect, when registering a user as a user of the image processing device to the print service server, as compared with the case where the user directly requests the administrator to use the image processing device, there is an effect that the load on the user for registering the user of the image processing device can be reduced.

[0017] According to the second aspect, there is an effect that the image processing device can be centrally managed by the printer management device.

[0018] According to the third aspect, there is an effect that it is no longer necessary for the user to previously know the identification information of the administrator.

[0019] According to the fourth aspect, even when the expiration date of the authentication code has passed, there is an effect that a new authentication code and an authentication URL can be obtained.

[0020] According to the fifth aspect, there is an effect that the possibility of obtaining a new authentication code and an authentication URL can be increased.

[0021] According to the sixth aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to facilitate the identification of each of the administrator and the user as compared with the case where the identification information of each of the administrator and the user is complex information.

[0022] According to the seventh aspect, as compared with the case where a user directly requests an administrator for authentication with administrator authority, the burden on the user for registering a user of the image processing apparatus is reduced, and the image processing apparatus can be centrally managed by the printer management apparatus.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

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Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an example of a mode for implementing the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail. In addition, for components and processes that perform the same functions in terms of operation, action, and function, the same reference numerals are given throughout the drawings, and redundant explanations may be omitted as appropriate. Each drawing only schematically shows the technology of the present disclosure to such an extent that it can be sufficiently understood. Therefore, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited only to the illustrated examples. In addition, in the present embodiment, descriptions may be omitted for configurations that are not directly related to the present invention and well-known configurations.

[0025] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image processing system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 100 includes an image processing apparatus 10, a user terminal 30A, an administrator terminal 30B, and a print service server 50. The print service server 50 provides a print service on the cloud. The print service server 50 is an example of a print service apparatus, and a general-purpose computer apparatus such as a server computer or a personal computer (PC) is applied to the print service server 50.

[0027] In addition, the user terminal 30A is a terminal device used by a user who uses the image processing apparatus 10, and for example, a smartphone, a PC, etc. are applicable. The user here is a user who does not have administrative authority for the print service server 50 and is a target for registration as a user of the image processing apparatus 10 with respect to the print service server 50. Further, the administrator terminal 30B is a terminal device used by an administrator who has administrative authority for the print service server 50, and for example, a smartphone, a PC, etc. are applicable. The administrator here has administrative authority in a group (for example, a company, a department, etc.) registered in the print service server 50.

[0028] These image processing apparatuses 10, user terminals 30A, administrator terminals 30B, and print service servers 50 are connected via a network such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network). That is, the image processing apparatus 10, the user terminal 30A, and the administrator terminal 30B are installed at physically separated locations. The image processing apparatus 10 is installed, for example, at a convenience store where the user has moved, a base different from the base where the user usually works, or the like.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an input / output interface (I / O) 14, a storage unit 15, a display unit 16, an operation unit 17, a document reading unit 18, an image forming unit 19, and a communication unit 20.

[0031] The CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, and the I / O 14 are each connected via a bus. To the I / O 14, each functional unit including the storage unit 15, the display unit 16, the operation unit 17, the document reading unit 18, the image forming unit 19, and the communication unit 20 is connected. These functional units can communicate with each other with the CPU 11 via the I / O 14.

[0032] The control unit is constituted by a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, and an I / O 14. The control unit may be configured as a sub-control unit that controls some operations of the image processing apparatus 10, or may be configured as a part of a main control unit that controls the overall operations of the image processing apparatus 10. For some or all of the blocks of the control unit, for example, an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) or an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip set is used. Individual circuits may be used for each of the above blocks, or circuits in which some or all are integrated may be used. The above blocks may be provided integrally with each other, or some of the blocks may be provided separately. Also, in each of the above blocks, a part thereof may be provided separately. For the integration of the control unit, not only LSI but also a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor may be used.

[0033] As the storage unit 15, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, or the like is used. The registration program 15A according to the present embodiment is stored in the storage unit 15. Note that this registration program 15A may be stored in the ROM 12.

[0034] The registration program 15A may be, for example, pre-installed in the image processing apparatus 10. The registration program 15A may be stored in a non-volatile storage medium, or distributed via a network and appropriately installed in the image processing apparatus 10. Examples of non-volatile storage media include a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a magneto-optical disk, an HDD, a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), a flash memory, a memory card, and the like.

[0035] The display unit 16 uses, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like. The display unit 16 may integrally have a touch panel. The operation unit 17 is provided with various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key. The display unit 16 and the operation unit 17, as an operation panel, receive various instructions regarding image processing functions and settings from the user of the image processing apparatus 10. These various instructions include, for example, an instruction to start reading a document, an instruction to start copying a document, an instruction to print print data held in the image processing apparatus 10, and the like. The display unit 16 displays various information such as the result of processing executed in response to an instruction received from the user and notifications regarding the processing.

[0036] The document reading unit 18 takes in one document at a time placed on the paper feed tray of an automatic document feeder (not shown) provided on the upper part of the image processing apparatus 10, and optically reads the taken-in document to obtain image information. Alternatively, the document reading unit 18 optically reads a document placed on a document table such as a platen glass to obtain image information.

[0037] The image forming unit 19 forms an image based on the image information obtained by the reading by the document reading unit 18 and the image information obtained by a print instruction from an external device on a sheet of paper which is an example of a recording medium. Hereinafter, as a method of forming an image, an electrophotographic method will be exemplified and described, but other methods such as an inkjet method may be adopted.

[0038] When the image forming method is an electrophotographic method, the image forming unit 19 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device. The charging device applies a voltage to the photosensitive drum to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum. The exposure device forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum by exposing the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device with light according to image information. The developing device forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with toner. The transfer device transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum to paper. The fixing device fixes the toner image transferred to the paper by heating and pressurization.

[0039] The communication unit 20 is connected to networks such as the Internet, LAN, and WAN, and is capable of communicating via the network with each of the user terminal 30A, the administrator terminal 30B, and the print service server 50.

[0040] In the print service server 50 shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 10 is registered, and a user who can be connected to the network can perform a print instruction to the print service server 50, so that the user can perform printing using the image processing apparatus 10 anywhere. However, when registering the image processing apparatus 10 and its user as users to the print service server 50, authentication by an administrator having the administrator authority of the print service server 50 may be required instead of the user who actually uses the image processing apparatus 10. In this case, when the authentication by the administrator having the administrator authority is successful, the image processing apparatus 10 is registered to the print service server 50, and the user is registered as the user of this image processing apparatus 10. Here, with reference to FIG. 3, a method for registering the image processing apparatus 10 and its user according to the comparative example will be described.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a method for registering the image processing apparatus 10 and its user according to the comparative example.

[0042] In step S201 of FIG. 3, the user uses the operation panel of the image processing apparatus 10 or connects a user terminal 30A to the network to which the image processing apparatus 10 is connected, and makes a registration request to the print service server 50 from the UI (User Interface) screen to request registration of the image processing apparatus 10 and the user. This registration request includes, for example, the user's e-mail address as the user's identification information.

[0043] In step S202, the image processing apparatus 10 makes a registration request for itself and the user to the print service server 50 in response to the registration request from the user.

[0044] In step S203, the print service server 50 makes a response including authentication information used for registering the image processing apparatus 10 to the image processing apparatus 10 in response to the registration request from the image processing apparatus 10. This authentication information includes, for example, an authentication code for identifying the authentication process and an authentication URL (Uniform Resource Locator) as the input destination of the authentication information for performing the authentication process.

[0045] In step S204, the image processing apparatus 10 makes an authentication request including authentication information to the user terminal 30A (or the user) in response to the response from the print service server 50.

[0046] In step S205, the user terminal 30A (or the user) notifies the administrator terminal 30B (or the administrator) of the authentication information by e-mail, telephone, etc. in response to the authentication request from the image processing apparatus 10, and requests authentication with administrator authority.

[0047] In step S206, the administrator terminal 30B accesses the print service server 50 using the authentication URL included in the authentication information, sends the authentication code to the print service server 50, and makes an authentication request with administrator authority to register the image processing apparatus 10 and the user.

[0048] In step S207, in response to an authentication request from the administrator terminal 30B, the print service server 50 performs authentication necessary for registering the image forming apparatus 10 and the user. If the authentication is successful, the print service server 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 of the completion of registration.

[0049] In step S208, in response to the completion of registration from the print service server 50, the image forming apparatus 10 notifies the user terminal 30A (or the user) of the completion of registration.

[0050] As shown in the comparative example of FIG. 3, the user needs to directly request the administrator for authentication with administrator authority by e-mail, telephone, etc., which is troublesome and time-consuming for the user, and the load on the user for registering the user of the image forming apparatus 10 is large.

[0051] Therefore, in response to a registration request from a user (for temporary use) for the print service server 50, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment requests the print service server 50 to register the user as a user of the own apparatus, and transmits the authentication information obtained from the print service server 50 and the identification information of the user to an administrator having administrator authority for the print service server 50, and requests the administrator to perform authentication with administrator authority to register the user as a user of the print service server 50 for the own apparatus.

[0052] Specifically, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment functions as each unit shown in FIG. 4 by writing the registration program 15A stored in the storage unit 15 into the RAM 13 and executing it. Note that the CPU 11 is an example of a processor.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment functions as an acquisition unit 11A, a registration request unit 11B, and an authentication request unit 11C.

[0055] The acquisition unit 11A acquires a registration request in which the user requests the registration of the own device and the user to the print service server 50. Note that this registration request includes the identification information of the user. The identification information of the user may be any information that can identify the user on the network. For example, it may be an e-mail address or a print service user ID which is the identification information of the user in the print service server 50. This registration request is input by the user. The input of the registration request from the user may be received via the operation panel of the own device, or may be received from the user terminal 30A when the image forming apparatus 10 and the user terminal 30A are network-connected.

[0056] In addition, the acquisition unit 11A acquires the identification information of the administrator who has the administrator authority of the print service server 50. The identification information of the administrator may be any information that can identify the administrator on the network. For example, it may be an e-mail address or an administrator's print service user ID which is the identification information of the administrator in the print service server 50. The identification information of the administrator may be included in the above registration request by the user's input, or may be stored in advance in the storage unit 15 of the own device.

[0057] The registration request unit 11B requests the print service server 50 to register the own device and the user in response to the registration request acquired by the acquisition unit 11A. In addition, the registration request unit 11B acquires, as a response to the registration request, authentication information used for the registration of the own device from the print service server 50. Note that the authentication information includes an authentication code and an authentication URL.

[0058] In addition, when the expiration date of the authentication code has passed, the registration request unit 11B may retry the registration request for the device itself and the user to the print service server 50, and obtain a new authentication code and authentication URL from the print service server 50. In this case, the registration request unit 11B repeats the retry of the registration request for the device itself and the user a predetermined number of times. Note that the number of retries can be appropriately specified within a range of, for example, 2 or more and 10 or less. Also, the number of retries may be specified by the user at the time of registration request, or may be preset in the device itself.

[0059] The authentication request unit 11C sends, by mail, the authentication information obtained from the print service server 50 and the user identification information to the e-mail address of the administrator specified by the administrator identification information, or sends it to the terminal (for example, the administrator terminal 30B) logged in by the administrator specified by the administrator identification information, and requests the administrator to authenticate the device itself and the user for registration to the print service server 50 with administrator authority.

[0060] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a method for registering the image processing apparatus 10 and its user according to the first embodiment will be specifically described.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a method for registering the image processing apparatus 10 and its user according to the first embodiment.

[0062] In step S1 of FIG. 5, the user connects the operation panel of the image processing apparatus 10 or the user terminal 30A to the network to which the image processing apparatus 10 is connected, and makes a registration request to the print service server 50 to request registration of the image processing apparatus 10 and the user. This registration request includes, for example, the user's e-mail address as the user identification information, and includes, for example, the administrator's e-mail address as the administrator identification information. Also, when the image processing apparatus 10 stores information about the administrator of the device itself, the user may omit the input of the administrator identification information by the user in this step.

[0063] In step S2, in response to a registration request from the user, the image processing apparatus 10 makes a registration request for itself and the user to the print service server 50. Here, if the image processing apparatus 10 is already registered with the print service server 50, the processing after the next step is not performed, and the administrator may be notified of the identification information of the user who made the registration request and requested to enable the user to use the image processing apparatus 10.

[0064] In step S3, in response to the registration request from the image processing apparatus 10, the print service server 50 makes a response to the image processing apparatus 10 that includes authentication information used for registering the image processing apparatus 10. This authentication information includes, for example, an authentication code and an authentication URL.

[0065] In step S4, in response to the response from the print service server 50, the image processing apparatus 10 sends an authentication request email including the user's identification information and authentication information to the administrator's email address.

[0066] In step S5, the administrator refers to the received authentication request email and accesses the print service server 50 using the authentication URL included in the authentication information. When there is an access to this authentication URL, the print service server 50 generates a screen for inputting the authentication code and the identification information of the user who uses the image processing apparatus 10 and provides it to the administrator terminal 30B. The administrator inputs the authentication code and the identification information of the user who is given the authority to use the image processing apparatus 10 into the screen displayed on the administrator terminal 30B, sends the authentication code and the user's identification information to the print service server 50, and makes an authentication request with administrative authority to register the image processing apparatus 10 and the user. Here, in order for the administrator himself / herself to receive authentication from the print service server 50, the administrator's user identification information and password may be input.

[0067] In step S6, in response to the authentication request from the administrator terminal 30B, the print service server 50 performs authentication necessary for registering the image forming apparatus 10 and the user. If the authentication is successful, the print service server 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 of the completion of registration. The print service server 50 authenticates the administrator's authority based on the user identification information and password of the administrator included in the authentication request, and also checks whether the transmitted user identification information has already been registered as a print service. If it has already been registered, the image forming apparatus 10 is registered as being available for this user. If it has not been registered, the user is requested to authenticate the print service. When the user is authenticated, the image forming apparatus 10 is registered as being available for the user. As a process for requesting this authentication, an email with the URL of the authentication request screen is sent to the email address used as the user identification information. The user can authenticate by accessing the URL described in this email and entering the account information and password of the print service on the displayed print service authentication screen. Note that the notification of the completion of registration may be a so-called pull method in which the image forming apparatus 10 periodically polls the print service server 50 to inquire whether the registration has been completed, and the image forming apparatus 10 obtains the information from the print service server 50, or a so-called push method in which a session connection is always established between the image forming apparatus 10 and the print service server 50, and the print service server 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 from its side.

[0068] In step S7, in response to the completion of registration from the print service server 50, the image processing apparatus 10 notifies the user of the completion of registration. If the image processing apparatus 10 and the user terminal 30A are network-connected in advance, the user terminal 30A is notified of the completion of registration. Alternatively, the display unit 16 of the image processing apparatus 10 displays a message indicating that the registration for the user has been completed. As a result, the user can use the image processing apparatus 10 via the print service server 50. Also, by registering the image processing apparatus 10 with the print service server 50, the user can upload printed matter to the print service server 50, the print service server 50 can generate a print job that can be printed by the image processing apparatus 10, and the image processing apparatus 10 can acquire this print job from the print service server 50 and perform print output.

[0069] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the operation of the image processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow by the registration program 15A according to the first embodiment.

[0071] First, when an instruction to execute printer registration processing is given to the image processing apparatus 10, the registration program 15A is started by the CPU 11, and the following steps are executed.

[0072] In step S101 of FIG. 6, the CPU 11 acquires a registration request in which the user requests the print service server 50 to register the own apparatus and the user, and acquires an example of the administrator's identification information, which is the administrator's email address input by the user or stored in the own apparatus. The registration request from the user is acquired from the operation panel of the own apparatus or from the user terminal 30A by connecting the user terminal 30A to the network to which the own apparatus is connected. Note that the registration request includes an example of the user's identification information, which is the user's email address. Also, the administrator's email address may be included in the registration request or may be stored in advance in the storage unit 15 of the own apparatus.

[0073] In step S102, the CPU 11 controls to send the registration request acquired in step S101 to the print service server 50. Here, if the image forming apparatus 10 is already registered in the print service server 50, the processing after the next step may not be performed, and the administrator may be notified of the identification information of the user who made the registration request, and the user may be requested to be able to use the image forming apparatus 10.

[0074] In step S103, the CPU 11 acquires the authentication information used for registering its own device from the print service server 50. As described above, the authentication information includes an authentication code and an authentication URL.

[0075] In step S104, the CPU 11 sends the authentication information acquired in step S103 and the user's email address to the administrator's email address, and requests the administrator to authenticate with administrative authority to register its own device and the user in the print service server 50.

[0076] In step S105, the CPU 11 inquires about the registration status of its own device and the user to confirm whether the registration of its own device and the user has been completed based on the authentication with administrative authority to the print service server 50.

[0077] In step S106, the CPU 11 determines whether the registration of its own device and the user has been completed in the print service server 50 based on the result of the inquiry in step S105. When it is determined that the registration of its own device and the user has been completed (in the case of an affirmative determination), the process proceeds to step S107, and when it is determined that the registration of its own device and the user has not been completed (in the case of a negative determination), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0078] In step S107, the CPU 11 notifies the user of the completion of the registration of the own device and the user, and ends a series of processes by this registration program 15A. Note that when the user makes a registration request from the user terminal 30A that is network-connected to the image processing apparatus 10, the notification of the registration completion is sent to the user terminal 30A. However, when the user makes a registration request from the operation panel of the own device, it is displayed on the operation panel and notified.

[0079] On the other hand, in step S108, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the authentication code included in the authentication information has expired (that is, whether it is invalid). If it is determined that the authentication code has expired (invalid) (in the case of an affirmative determination), the process proceeds to step S109. If it is determined that the authentication code has not expired (valid) (in the case of a negative determination), the process returns to step S105 and the inquiry is made again.

[0080] In step S109, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the number of retries of the registration request for the own device and the user has exceeded, for example, the number of times (= N times) preset in the own device. If it is determined that the number of retries has exceeded N times (in the case of an affirmative determination), the process proceeds to step S110. If it is determined that the number of retries does not exceed N times, that is, is N times or less (in the case of a negative determination), the process returns to step S102 and the process is repeated.

[0081] In step S110, the CPU 11 notifies the user terminal 30A of the failure of the registration of the own device and the user, and ends a series of processes by this registration program 15A. Note that when the user makes a registration request from the user terminal 30A, the notification of the registration failure is sent to the user terminal 30A. However, when the user makes a registration request from the operation panel of the own device, it is displayed on the operation panel and notified.

[0082] As described above, according to this embodiment, when registering a user as a user of the image processing apparatus with the print service server, the user does not need to directly request the administrator for authentication with administrative authority. Therefore, it does not take time and effort for the user, and the load on the user for registering the user of the image processing apparatus is reduced.

[0083] [Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, a form including a printer management service for centrally managing a plurality of image processing apparatuses will be described.

[0084] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image processing system 110 according to the second embodiment.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 7, the image processing system 110 includes an image processing apparatus 10, a user terminal 30A, an administrator terminal 30B, a print service server 50, and a printer management server 70. The printer management server 70 provides a printer management service for managing a plurality of image processing apparatuses 10.

[0086] The printer management server 70 centrally manages management information (including, for example, identifiers, location information, etc.) regarding a plurality of image processing apparatuses 10. Information is transmitted and received between the printer management server 70 and each of the user terminal 30A and the image processing apparatus 10 via a network. A user can refer to a plurality of image processing apparatuses 10 registered in the printer management server 70 on a portal site provided by the printer management server 70. Note that the printer management server 70 is an example of a printer management device, and a general-purpose computer device such as a server computer or a personal computer (PC) is applied to the printer management server 70.

[0087] These image processing apparatuses 10, user terminal 30A, and printer management server 70 are connected via a network such as the Internet, LAN, or WAN. Note that the image processing system 110 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the image processing system 100 described in the first embodiment except for including the printer management server 70, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the printer management server 70 according to the second embodiment.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 8, the printer management server 70 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, an I / O 74, a storage unit 75, a display unit 76, an operation unit 77, and a communication unit 78.

[0090] The CPU 71, ROM 72, RAM 73, and I / O 74 are each connected via a bus. To the I / O 74, each functional unit including the storage unit 75, the display unit 76, the operation unit 77, and the communication unit 78 is connected. These functional units are enabled to communicate with the CPU 71 via the I / O 74.

[0091] The control unit is constituted by the CPU 71, ROM 72, RAM 73, and I / O 74. The control unit may be configured as a sub-control unit that controls some operations of the printer management server 70, or may be configured as a part of the main control unit that controls the overall operations of the printer management server 70.

[0092] As the storage unit 75, for example, an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, etc. are used. The control program 75A according to the present embodiment is stored in the storage unit 75. Note that this control program 75A may be stored in the ROM 72.

[0093] The control program 75A may be, for example, pre-installed in the printer management server 70. The control program 75A may be stored in a non-volatile storage medium, or distributed via a network and appropriately installed in the printer management server 70. Note that examples of the non-volatile storage medium include a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an HDD, a DVD-ROM, a flash memory, a memory card, etc.

[0094] For the display unit 76, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like is used. The display unit 76 may integrally have a touch panel. For the operation unit 77, for example, devices for operation input such as a keyboard and a mouse are provided. The display unit 76 and the operation unit 77 receive various instructions from the user of the printer management server 70. The display unit 76 displays various information such as the result of the process executed according to the instruction received from the user and the notification for the process.

[0095] The communication unit 78 is connected to a network such as the Internet, a LAN, or a WAN, and communication is enabled between the user terminal 30A and the image processing apparatus 10 via the network.

[0096] The CPU 71 of the printer management server 70 according to the present embodiment executes the control program 75A to receive a registration request from the user via the user terminal 30A, and transmits the identification information of the administrator having the administrator authority of the print service server 50 to the image processing apparatus 10 together with the received registration request. In this case, the identification information of the administrator may be included in the registration request from the user, or may be registered in advance in the printer management server 70 in association with the image processing apparatus 10. Note that the identification information of the user may be included in the registration request from the user, or may be registered in advance in the printer management server 70.

[0097] That is, the printer management server 70 stores management information including identifiers, location information, etc. of a plurality of pre-registered image processing apparatuses 10, and in response to a registration request from the user terminal 30A, performs a registration request for registering the image processing apparatus 10 and the user in the print service server 50 for the designated image processing apparatus 10. Specifically, at the time of the registration request, the user can specify the identifier of the image processing apparatus 10 that the user wants to register in the print service server 50 and the user's own email address. Further, when not registered in advance in the printer management server 70 in association with the image processing apparatus 10, the user can further specify the email address of the administrator.

[0098] Next, with reference to FIG. 4 described above, each functional unit executed by the CPU 11 of the image processing apparatus 10 will be described.

[0099] The acquisition unit 11A acquires a registration request from the user via the printer management server 70 registered in advance in the own device. The acquisition unit 11A also acquires, from the printer management server 70, an administrator's email address which is an example of the administrator's identification information.

[0100] The registration request unit 11B requests the print service server 50 to register the own device and the user in response to the registration request acquired by the acquisition unit 11A.

[0101] The authentication request unit 11C sends, by email, the authentication information obtained from the print service server 50 and the user's email address which is an example of the user's identification information to the administrator's email address, or sends them to a terminal (for example, the administrator terminal 30B) logged in by the administrator specified by the administrator's identification information, and requests the administrator to authenticate with administrator authority to register the own device and the user in the print service server 50.

[0102] Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a method for registering the image processing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment and its user will be specifically described.

[0103] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a method for registering the image processing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment and its user.

[0104] In step S11 of FIG. 9, the user makes a registration request from the user terminal 30A to the printer management server 70 to request registration of the image processing apparatus 10 and the user in the print service server 50. This registration request includes, as the user's identification information, for example, the user's email address. This registration request also includes the identifier of the image processing apparatus 10 that the user wants to register.

[0105] In step S12, in response to the registration request from the user terminal 30A, the printer management server 70 makes a registration request for the image processing apparatus 10 and the user. This registration request includes the user's email address as the user's identification information and the administrator's email address as the administrator's identification information that has been previously registered in the printer management server 70 in association with the image processing apparatus 10.

[0106] In step S13, in response to the registration request from the printer management server 70, the image processing apparatus 10 makes a registration request for itself and the user to the print service server 50. Note that the acquisition of the registration request may be performed by the so-called pull method in which the image processing apparatus 10 periodically polls the printer management server 70 to inquire whether there is a registration request and the image processing apparatus 10 acquires it from the printer management server 70, or by the so-called push method in which a session connection is always established between the image processing apparatus 10 and the printer management server 70 and the printer management server 70 transmits it to the image processing apparatus 10. Also, if the image processing apparatus 10 is already registered in the print service server 50, the processing after the next step may not be performed, and the administrator may be notified of the identification information of the user who made the registration request and requested to enable the user to use the image processing apparatus 10.

[0107] In step S14, in response to the registration request from the image processing apparatus 10, the print service server 50 sends a response to the image processing apparatus 10 including the authentication information used for the registration of the image processing apparatus 10. This authentication information includes, for example, an authentication code and an authentication URL.

[0108] In step S15, in response to the response from the print service server 50, the image processing apparatus 10 sends an authentication request email including the user's identification information and the authentication information to the administrator's email address.

[0109] In step S16, the administrator refers to the received authentication request email and accesses the print service server 50 using the authentication URL included in the authentication information. As described above, when there is an access to this authentication URL, the print service server 50 generates a screen for inputting the authentication code and the identification information of the user who uses the image processing apparatus 10, and provides it to the administrator terminal 30B. The administrator inputs the authentication code and the identification information of the user who is given the authority to use the image processing apparatus 10 on the screen displayed on the administrator terminal 30B, transmits the authentication code and the user's identification information to the print service server 50, and makes an authentication request with administrator authority to register the image processing apparatus 10 and the user. Here, in order for the administrator himself / herself to receive authentication for the print service server 50, the administrator's user identification information and password may be input.

[0110] In step S17, the print service server 50 performs authentication necessary for registering the image forming apparatus 10 and the user in response to an authentication request from the administrator terminal 30B. If the authentication is successful, the print service server 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 of the completion of registration. As described above, the print service server 50 authenticates the administrator's user authority based on the identification information and password of the administrator included in the authentication request, and also checks whether the transmitted user identification information has already been registered as a print service. If it has already been registered, the image forming apparatus 10 is registered as available for this user. If it has not been registered, the user is requested to authenticate the print service, and if the authentication is successful, the image forming apparatus 10 is registered as available for the user. As a process for requesting this authentication, an email containing the URL of the authentication request screen is sent to the email address used as the user's identification information, and the user can authenticate by accessing the URL described in this email and entering the account information and password of the print service on the displayed print service authentication screen. Note that the notification of the completion of registration may be in a so-called pull method in which the image forming apparatus 10 periodically polls the print service server 50 to inquire whether the registration has been completed, and the image forming apparatus 10 obtains the information from the print service server 50, or a so-called push method in which a session connection is always established between the image forming apparatus 10 and the print service server 50, and the print service server 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 10.

[0111] In step S18, the image forming apparatus 10 notifies the printer management server 70 of the completion of registration in response to the completion of registration from the print service server 50.

[0112] In step S19, in response to the completion of registration from the image processing apparatus 10, the printer management server 70 notifies the user terminal 30A of the completion of registration. As a result, the user can use the image processing apparatus 10 via the print service server 50. In addition, when the image processing apparatus 10 is registered in the print service server 50, the user can upload a printed matter to the print service server 50, the print service server 50 generates a print job that can be printed by the image processing apparatus 10, and the image processing apparatus 10 can acquire this print job from the print service server 50 and perform print output.

[0113] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the operation of the image processing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0114] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow by the registration program 15A according to the second embodiment.

[0115] First, when an instruction to execute printer registration processing is given to the image processing apparatus 10, the registration program 15A is started by the CPU 11, and the following steps are executed.

[0116] In step S111 of FIG. 10, the CPU 11 inquires of the printer management server 70 whether there is a registration request in which the user requests registration of the own apparatus and the user with respect to the print service server 50. The registration request from the user is acquired from the user terminal 30A via the printer management server 70. Note that the registration request includes the user's email address which is an example of the user's identification information. In addition, the administrator's email address which is an example of the administrator's identification information is stored in advance in the printer management server 70 in association with the image processing apparatus 10.

[0117] In step S112, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a registration request to the printer management server 70 based on the result of the inquiry in step S111. If it is determined that there is a registration request to the printer management server 70 (in the case of an affirmative determination), the process proceeds to step S113. If it is determined that there is no registration request to the printer management server 70 (in the case of a negative determination), the process returns to step S111 and the inquiry is made again.

[0118] In step S113, the CPU 11 acquires the registration request of the own device and the user and the administrator's email address from the printer management server 70.

[0119] In step S114, the CPU 11 controls to send the registration request acquired in step S113 to the print service server 50.

[0120] In step S115, the CPU 11 acquires the authentication information used for the registration of the own device from the print service server 50. As described above, the authentication information includes an authentication code and an authentication URL.

[0121] In step S116, the CPU 11 sends the authentication information acquired in step S115 and the user's email address to the administrator specified by the administrator's email address, and requests the administrator to authenticate with administrator authority to register the own device and the user to the print service server 50.

[0122] In step S117, the CPU 11 inquires about the registration status of the own device and the user in order to confirm whether the registration of the own device and the user is completed based on the authentication with administrator authority to the print service server 50.

[0123] In step S118, the CPU 11 determines, based on the result of the inquiry in step S117, whether the registration of the own device and the user has been completed at the print service server 50. If it is determined that the registration of the own device and the user has been completed (in the case of an affirmative determination), the process proceeds to step S119. If it is determined that the registration of the own device and the user has not been completed (in the case of a negative determination), the process proceeds to step S120.

[0124] In step S119, the CPU 11 notifies the printer management server 70 of the completion of the registration of the own device and the user, and ends a series of processes by the main registration program 15A. Note that the notification of the completion of registration is transmitted from the printer management server 70 to the user terminal 30A.

[0125] On the other hand, in step S120, the CPU 11 determines whether the authentication code included in the authentication information has expired (that is, whether it is invalid). If it is determined that the authentication code has expired (invalid) (in the case of an affirmative determination), the process proceeds to step S121. If it is determined that the authentication code has not expired (valid) (in the case of a negative determination), the process returns to step S117 and the inquiry is made again.

[0126] In step S121, the CPU 11 determines whether the number of retries of the registration request for the own device and the user has exceeded, for example, the number of times (= N times) preset in the own device. If it is determined that the number of retries has exceeded N times (in the case of an affirmative determination), the process proceeds to step S122. If it is determined that the number of retries does not exceed N times, that is, is N times or less (in the case of a negative determination), the process returns to step S114 and the process is repeated.

[0127] In step S122, the CPU 11 notifies the printer management server 70 of the failure of the registration of the own device and the user, and ends a series of processes by the main registration program 15A. Note that the notification of the registration failure is transmitted from the printer management server 70 to the user terminal 30A.

[0128] Thus, according to this embodiment, it becomes less troublesome and time-consuming for the user, and the burden on the user for registering the user of the image processing apparatus is reduced. Also, by adopting the printer management server, the image processing apparatuses are centrally managed, and the risk of information leakage is reduced as compared with the case where the user directly operates the image processing apparatus.

[0129] Note that, in each of the above embodiments, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes a general-purpose processor (for example, CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and a dedicated processor (for example, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0130] Also, the operation of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be achieved not only by one processor, but also by a plurality of physically separated processors cooperating with each other. Also, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0131] As described above, the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment has been illustrated and described. The embodiment may be in the form of a program for causing a computer to execute the functions of each part provided in the image processing apparatus. The embodiment may be in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing these programs.

[0132] In addition, the configuration of the image processing apparatus described in the above embodiment is an example, and may be changed according to the situation within the scope not departing from the gist.

[0133] Also, the flow of the processing of the program described in the above embodiment is an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the order of the processing may be changed within the scope not departing from the gist.

[0134] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the processing according to the embodiment is realized by software configuration using a computer by executing a program has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The embodiment may be realized, for example, by a hardware configuration or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

Explanation of Signs

[0135] 10 Image processing apparatus 11, 71 CPU 11A Acquisition unit 11B Registration request unit 11C Authentication request unit 12, 72 ROM 13, 73 RAM 14, 74 I / O 15, 75 Storage unit 15A Registration program 16, 76 Display unit 17, 77 Operation unit 18 Document reading unit 19 Image forming unit 20, 78 Communication unit 30A User terminal 30B Administrator terminal 50 Print service server 70 Printer management server 75A Control program 100, 110 Image processing system

Claims

1. A processor is provided, The processor obtains a registration request in which a user requests registration of the self-device and the user to the print service device, obtains identification information of an administrator having administrative authority of the print service device, in response to the registration request, requests registration of the self-device and the user to the print service device, sends authentication information for registering the self-device and identification information of the user, obtained from the print service device, to an administrator identified by the identification information of the administrator, and requests authentication with administrative authority to register the self-device and the user to the print service device to the administrator An image processing apparatus.

2. The processor obtains the registration request from the user from the user terminal via a printer management device connected to each of the user terminal and the self-device and pre-registered by the self-device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The identification information of the administrator is pre-registered in the printer management device in association with the self-device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The authentication information includes an authentication code and an authentication URL, When the expiration date of the authentication code has passed, the processor retries the registration request of the self-device and the user to the print service device and obtains a new authentication code and an authentication URL from the print service device. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The processor repeats the retry of the registration request of the self-device and the user a predetermined number of times. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The identification information of the administrator is the email address of the administrator, The identification information of the user is the email address of the user. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. An image processing apparatus, a user terminal, and a printer management device connected to each of the user terminal and the image processing apparatus and pre-registered by the image processing apparatus are included, The processor of the printer management device receives a registration request in which a user requests registration of the image processing apparatus and the user to the print service device from the user terminal, and transmits the received registration request and identification information of an administrator having administrative authority of the print service device to the image processing apparatus. The processor of the image processing apparatus obtains the registration request and the identification information of the administrator from the printer management apparatus, requests the print service apparatus to register the own apparatus and the user in response to the registration request, transmits the authentication information used for registering the own apparatus, obtained from the print service apparatus, and the identification information of the user to the administrator specified by the identification information of the administrator, and requests the administrator to authenticate with administrative authority to register the own apparatus and the user in the print service apparatus Image processing system.

8. obtaining a registration request in which a user requests the print service apparatus to register the own apparatus and the user, obtaining the identification information of an administrator having administrative authority over the print service apparatus, requesting the print service apparatus to register the own apparatus and the user in response to the registration request, transmitting the authentication information used for registering the own apparatus, obtained from the print service apparatus, and the identification information of the user to the administrator specified by the identification information of the administrator, and requesting the administrator to authenticate with administrative authority to register the own apparatus and the user in the print service apparatus, A registration program for causing a computer to execute.

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