Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique of activating an application in an operation mode corresponding to the application.SOLUTION: An information process system includes an information processing device on which a plurality of applications operate and an authentication server for identifying a user. The information processing device comprises: an operation receiving unit that receives an operation for activating an application; a control unit that determines an operation mode at the time of activation of the application received by the operation receiving unit on the basis of application information associating an operation mode with each application; and a management unit that activates the application in the operation mode determined by the control unit. The authentication server has an authentication unit for identifying a right of the user on the basis of user information associating a right with each user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] When using an electronic device such as an image forming apparatus, in an application that uses standard functions such as a copy function or a scan function, a user executes the application as a general user. On the other hand, when executing an application that performs device setting changes or operation of execution jobs for all users, the user needs to execute the application as an administrative user having higher privileges than a general user. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for switching an operation mode from a general user to an administrative user.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, the conventional technology has a problem that the application is not started in an operation mode corresponding to the application. For this reason, there are cases where the operation mode is forcibly switched after the application is started.

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a technique for starting an application in an operation mode corresponding to the application in view of the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides an information processing system having an information processing apparatus on which a plurality of applications operate and an authentication server that authenticates users. The information processing apparatus includes: an operation reception unit that receives an operation to start the application; a control unit that determines an operation mode at the time of starting the application received by the operation reception unit based on application information in which an operation mode is associated with each application; and a management unit that starts the application in the operation mode determined by the control unit. Even if the operation mode associated with the application received by the operation reception unit in the application information is the second operation mode, if the user's authority does not correspond to the second operation mode, the control unit determines the first operation mode different from the second operation mode as the operation mode at the time of starting the application. The authentication server is characterized by including an authentication unit that specifies the authority of the user based on user information in which authority is associated with each user.

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, by starting an application in an operation mode set for each application, the number of operations for the user to switch the operation mode can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] [First Embodiment] <System Overview> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 3 includes at least one or more image forming apparatuses 9 (9A, 9B,...) and an authentication server 5, each of which is connected to a communication network 2.

[0010] The user logs in to the image forming apparatus 9 and uses applications such as copy, scanner, device settings, job management, and log management. The authentication server 5 executes user authentication when the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 9. As the authorities that the user has, there are two types: administrator authority and general user authority, and it is possible for the same user to have both administrator authority and general user authority. For an application, usually, the operation mode when the user uses the application is set as a prescribed operation mode. For example, a general operation mode is set (associated) for applications such as copy and scanner, and a management operation mode is set for applications such as device settings, job management, and log management. When the user starts an application, the application starts in the prescribed operation mode. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of operations for the user to switch the operation mode after starting the application. The prescribed operation mode has settings common to all users for each application, but it is also possible to set the prescribed operation mode for each user.

[0011] The configuration of the information processing system 3 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and other configurations may be used. For example, since the image forming apparatus 9 has a function of authenticating the user, the information processing system 3 may not include the authentication server 5, or the image forming apparatus 9 may operate independently without being connected to the communication network 2. Also, in the following description, an application may be abbreviated as an app.

[0012] <Hardware Configuration Example (Image Forming Apparatus 9)> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 9 (MFP, Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer) includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950.

[0013] Among these, the controller 910 includes a CPU 901 which is the main component of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907, an HDD controller 908, and an HD 909, and is configured such that the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0014] Among these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 9. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901, the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and has a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0015] The MEM-P 902 consists of a ROM 902a which is a memory for storing programs and data for realizing the functions of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b which is used as a memory for developing programs and data, and for drawing during memory printing. Note that the programs stored in the RAM 902b may be provided in an installable or executable file format and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0016] SB904 is a bridge for connecting NB903 with a PCI device and a peripheral device. ASIC906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications, which has hardware elements for image processing and serves as a bridge for connecting an AGP bus 921, a PCI bus 922, an HDD 908, and a MEM-C 907 respectively. This ASIC906 consists of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) forming the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller for controlling MEM-C 907, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) for performing operations such as rotation of image data by means of hardware logic, etc., and a PCI unit for performing data transfer via the PCI bus 922 between a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. Note that interfaces for USB (Universal Serial Bus) and IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) may be connected to the ASIC906.

[0017] The short-range communication circuit 920 has a card reader 920a for reading user authentication information stored in an IC card or the like.

[0018] The operation panel 940 has a touch panel 940a for receiving inputs from the user and a numeric keypad 940b. Also, the touch panel 940a displays an application screen or the like executed by the image forming apparatus 9.

[0019] <Hardware configuration example (authentication server 5)> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the authentication server 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the authentication server 5 is constructed by a computer and includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an HD (Hard Disk) 504, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a bus line 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0020] Among these, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire authentication server 5. The ROM 502 stores programs used for driving the CPU 501 such as IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading or writing of various data to and from the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The external devices in this case are, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a printer, or the like. The network I / F 509 is an interface for performing data communication using the network N2. The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 3.

[0021] In addition, the keyboard 511 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys used for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data with respect to the DVD-RW 513 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the DVD-RW drive 514 is not limited to the DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storage) of data with respect to the recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

[0022] <Regarding functions> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration diagram of functional blocks of the information processing system 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The information processing system 3 includes a management unit 10, a control unit 11, an authentication unit 12, an operation reception unit 13, a display control unit 14, a first communication unit 15, and a second communication unit 20. Each of these units is a function or means realized by the CPU 901 and the CPU 501 executing instructions included in one or more programs installed in, for example, the image forming apparatus 9 and the authentication server 5. FIG. 4 shows, as an example, a form in which the image forming apparatus 9 includes the management unit 10, the control unit 11, the operation reception unit 13, the display control unit 14, and the first communication unit 15, and the authentication server 5 includes the authentication unit 12 and the second communication unit 20. The storage unit 16 may be in the authentication server 5 or the image forming apparatus 9, or may be in a storage server other than the authentication server 5 and the image forming apparatus 9. Further, the information processing system 3 uses the storage unit 16 having a user information storage unit 17, an application information storage unit 18, and a setting information storage unit 19.

[0024] When the management unit 10 receives an app startup request from the operation reception unit 13, it acquires the specified operation mode of the app from the app information 201 in the app information storage unit 18 and the setting information 202 in the setting information storage unit 19, and transmits the acquired operation mode to the control unit 11. Also, the management unit 10 receives the operation mode at the time of app startup determined by the control unit 11. Further, the management unit 10 performs processes such as app execution and app termination based on the request received from the operation reception unit 13.

[0025] Based on the information regarding user authority received from the authentication unit 12 (whether having the authority of a general user or an administrator user) and the specified operation mode of the app received from the management unit 10, the control unit 11 determines the operation mode at the time of app startup. The operation mode at the time of app startup is basically the specified operation mode, but when the specified operation mode is for an administrator user and the user does not have the authority of an administrator user, the operation mode at the time of app startup is set to the general operation mode. Also, the control unit 11 switches the operation mode based on the request from the management unit 10. Here, the operation mode of a user who does not have the authority of an administrator user cannot be switched to the management operation mode.

[0026] The authentication unit 12 executes user authentication by confirming whether the received authentication information matches the registered authentication information. Here, the authentication information is, for example, a user ID and a password.

[0027] The operation reception unit 13 receives operations such as character input and button presses by the user.

[0028] The display control unit 14 displays screen information such as a login screen on the touch panel 940a which is the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0029] The first communication unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 9 and the second communication unit 20 of the authentication server 5 perform transmission and reception of information via the communication network 2. However, in the following description, for convenience, it is described that other functional blocks perform transmission and reception of information without passing through the first communication unit 15 and the second communication unit 20.

[0030] The user information storage unit 17 stores user information. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of user information 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user information 200 has items of a user ID 100, a password 101, and user authority 102. The user ID 100 is used to identify a user. ID is an abbreviation of Identification. The password 101 is information known only to the user set by the user, and is used as authentication information together with the user ID in user authentication executed when logging in to the image forming apparatus 9 or the like. The user authority 102 indicates the authority (general user and administrator) that the user has. Users having the authority of a general user and an administrator have the authority to start an application and execute an application (processing by the application) in the operation modes of a general user and an administrator, respectively.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 4, an explanation will be given.

[0032] The application information storage unit 18 stores application information. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the application information 201 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The application information 201 has items of an application 103, functions 104 in the management operation mode, functions 105 in the general operation mode, and a specified operation mode 106. The application 103 is the type of application that the image forming apparatus 9 has. The function 104 in the management operation mode is the function that the application processes in the management operation mode. The function 105 in the general operation mode is the function that the application processes in the general operation mode. Thus, each application has different functions in two types of operation modes, the management operation mode and the general operation mode. The specified operation mode 106 is the operation mode selected when starting the application. However, the application cannot be started in an operation mode without the user's permission and is changed to an operation mode with permission. For example, for the device setting application, although the specified operation mode is the administrator mode, when a user who only has the permission of a general user starts the device setting application, the application is started in the general operation mode.

[0033] Returning to FIG. 4 for explanation.

[0034] The setting information storage unit 19 stores setting information. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the setting information 202 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The setting information 202 has items of an application 107 and a user ID 108. The application 107 is the type of application. The user ID 108 is the specified operation mode of the application that is dedicatedly set for the user with the specified user ID for each type of the application 107. Note that the specified operation mode 106 set in FIG. 6 is a setting common to all users, and the setting of the setting information 202 is used with priority over the setting of the specified operation mode 106.

[0035] <Flowchart of Application Execution Processing> FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of application execution processing in the general operation mode and the management operation mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this flowchart, in the information processing system 3, the image forming apparatus 9 starts an application in a predetermined operation mode. Further, after starting the application, the image forming apparatus 9 switches the operation mode based on a user operation and executes the processing of the application. Hereinafter, the processing of each step will be described.

[0036] Step S31: The display control unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9 displays a login screen on the touch panel 940a which is the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0037] Step S32: The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives an input of authentication information (user ID and password) by the user. The user inputs the authentication information using the touch panel 940a or the numeric keypad 940b. Alternatively, the user may input the authentication information by holding an IC card on which the authentication information is recorded in front of the card reader 920a. The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 transmits a login request message including the input authentication information to the authentication unit 12 of the authentication server 5.

[0038] Step S33: The authentication unit 12 executes user authentication using the received authentication information. Here, it is assumed that the user authentication is successful.

[0039] Step S34: The authentication unit 12 acquires information on whether the authenticated user has the authority of a management user and a general user as information on the user authority of the authenticated user. The authentication unit 12 transmits the acquired information to the control unit 11.

[0040] Step S35: The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives an operation for starting an application by the user.

[0041] Step S36: The management unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 acquires the specified operation mode of the application to be started.

[0042] Step S37: When the acquired specified operation mode is the general operation mode, the management unit 10 transitions the process to step S38, and when it is the management operation mode, the management unit 10 transitions the process to step S43.

[0043] Step S38: The management unit 10 starts the application in the general operation mode.

[0044] Step S39: When the user has the authority of the management user, the control unit 11 transitions the process to step S40, and when not, the control unit 11 transitions the process to step S42.

[0045] Step S40: The display control unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9 displays a switching button to the management operation mode on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0046] Step S41: When the operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the pressing of the switching button to the management operation mode by the user, the operation reception unit 13 transitions the process to step S44, and when not, the operation reception unit 13 transitions the process to step S42. Here, before changing the operation mode from the general user to the management user, from the security perspective, a screen for requesting authentication information may be displayed to prompt the user to input the authentication information and perform user authentication.

[0047] Step S42: The management unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 executes the processing of the application in the general operation mode.

[0048] Step S43: When the user has the authority of the management user, the control unit 11 transitions the process to step S44, and when not, the control unit 11 transitions the process to step S38.

[0049] Step S44: The management unit 10 starts the application in the management operation mode.

[0050] Step S45: The display control unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9 displays a switching button to the general operation mode on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0051] Step S46: When the operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the pressing of the switching button to the general operation mode by the user, the process transitions to step S38, and if not, the process transitions to step S47.

[0052] Step S47: The management unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 executes the processing of the application in the management operation mode.

[0053] Step S48: The management unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 executes the end processing of the application.

[0054] Step S49: The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 9 executes the logout processing.

[0055] <Application (Copy) Execution Processing> FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the application execution processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this sequence, the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 9 and starts the copy application. Since the specified operation mode of the copy application is the general operation mode, the image forming apparatus 9 starts the application in the general operation mode. The user executes the copy application in the general operation mode. Next, the user switches the operation mode to the management user and executes the copy application in the management operation mode. Hereinafter, the processing of each step will be described.

[0056] Step S51: The display control unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9 displays a login screen on the touch panel 940a which is the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the login screen 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention. On the login screen 110, a user ID input field 111, a password input field 112, and a login button 113 are displayed.

[0057] Returning to FIG. 9, an explanation will be given.

[0058] Step S52: The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the input of authentication information (user ID and password) by the user and the pressing of the login button 113.

[0059] Step S53: The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 transmits a login request message including the input authentication information to the authentication unit 12 of the authentication server 5.

[0060] Step S54: The authentication unit 12 executes user authentication using the received authentication information. Here, it is assumed that the user authentication is successful.

[0061] Step S55: The authentication unit 12 acquires information regarding the user authority of the authenticated user from the user information 200 stored in the user information storage unit 17. Here, it is assumed that the user ID of the logged-in user is USER_1 and the user authority has both general user and administrator user. The authentication unit 12 transmits the acquired information regarding the user authority to the control unit 11.

[0062] Step S56: The control unit 11 holds the received information regarding the user authority while the user is logged in to the image forming apparatus 9. Further, the control unit 11 transmits a request message for displaying the menu screen to the display control unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0063] Step S57: The display control unit 14 displays a menu screen on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the menu screen 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention. On the menu screen 120, a copy button 121, a scanner button 122, a print button 123, a device setting button 124, a job management button 125, and a log management button 126 for executing each application of the image forming apparatus 9 are displayed. Further, on the menu screen 120, a user ID (USER_1) which is user information 127 of the logged-in user, an operation mode (general user), an operation mode switching button 128, and a log-out button 129 are displayed.

[0064] Returning to FIG. 9, the description will be given.

[0065] Step S58: The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the pressing of the copy button 121 as an operation for starting an application (copy) by the user.

[0066] Step S59: The operation reception unit 13 transmits a message (application start request) for requesting the start of the copy application to the management unit 10.

[0067] Step S60: The management unit 10 acquires the specified operation mode (= general operation mode) of the application (copy) from the application information 201 in the application information storage unit 18 and the setting information 202 in the setting information storage unit 19. Further, the management unit 10 transmits the acquired specified operation mode to the control unit 11.

[0068] Step S61: The control unit 11 determines the operation mode of the application at startup based on the specified operation mode of the received application and the user authority. Here, the specified operation mode of the application is the general operation mode, and since the user has the authority of a general user, the control unit 11 determines the operation mode for starting the application as the general operation mode.

[0069] Step S62: The control unit 11 transmits the determined operation mode (= general operation mode) for starting the application to the management unit 10.

[0070] Step S63: The management unit 10 transmits a request message for displaying a screen of the application (copy) in the general operation mode to the display control unit 14.

[0071] Step S64: The display control unit 14 displays a screen of the application (copy) in the general operation mode on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen 130 of the application (copy) in the general operation mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. On the execution screen 130, a start button 131 for starting the execution of copying, a user ID (USER_1) which is user information 132 of the logged-in user, and an operation mode (general user) are displayed. Further, on the execution screen 130, an operation mode switching button 133 and an end button 134 for requesting the end of the application are also displayed.

[0072] Returning to FIG. 9 for explanation.

[0073] Step S65: The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the pressing of the start button 131 for starting the execution of the application (copy) by the user.

[0074] Step S66: The operation reception unit 13 transmits a message for requesting the execution of the application (copy) to the management unit 10.

[0075] Step S67: The management unit 10 executes the application (copy).

[0076] Step S68: The management unit 10 transmits a message for requesting the display of the application execution completion notification to the display control unit 14.

[0077] Step S69: The display control unit 14 displays the application (copy) execution completion notification on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0078] Step S70: The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the pressing of the operation mode switching button 133 on the execution screen 130 in FIG. 12 by the user.

[0079] Step S71: The operation reception unit 13 transmits a message requesting operation mode switching to the management unit 10.

[0080] Step S72: The management unit 10 transmits a message requesting operation mode switching to the control unit 11.

[0081] Step S73: After confirming that the user has the user authority of the management user, the control unit 11 switches the operation mode from the general user to the management user.

[0082] Step S74: The control unit 11 transmits a message notifying the operation mode switching result (success) to the management unit 10.

[0083] Step S75: The management unit 10 transmits a request message for displaying the screen of the management operation mode application (copy) to the display control unit 14.

[0084] Step S76: The display control unit 14 displays the screen of the management operation mode application (copy) on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the execution screen of the application (copy) in the management operation mode according to the embodiment of the present invention. On the execution screen 135, a common setting change button 136 for changing settings common to all users regarding the application (copy), the user ID (USER_1) which is the user information 137 of the logged-in user, and the operation mode (management user) are displayed. Also, on the execution screen 135, an operation mode switching button 138 and an end button 139 for requesting the end of the application are also displayed. Comparing with the execution screen 130 in FIG. 12, on the execution screen 135, the display of the operation mode changes from the general user to the management user, and instead of the start button 131 for starting the copy execution, the common setting change button 136 is displayed.

[0085] Returning to FIG. 9, an explanation will be given.

[0086] Step S77: The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the pressing of a common setting change button 136 for changing settings common to all users regarding an application (copy) by the user.

[0087] Step S78: The operation reception unit 13 transmits a message requesting execution of the application (copy) to the management unit 10.

[0088] Step S79: The management unit 10 executes a setting change process by causing a setting screen to be displayed on the screen and receiving a setting change by the user. Although details of the processing content are omitted, it is assumed that the execution is successful.

[0089] Step S80: The management unit 10 transmits a message requesting display of an application execution completion notification to the display control unit 14.

[0090] Step S81: The display control unit 14 displays an application (copy) execution completion notification on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0091] Step S82: The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the pressing by the user of an end button 139 requesting end of the application.

[0092] Step S83: The operation reception unit 13 transmits a message requesting end of the application to the management unit 10.

[0093] Step S84: Based on the received request, the management unit 10 ends the application.

[0094] Step S85: The management unit 10 transmits a request message for displaying a menu screen to the display control unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0095] Step S86: The display control unit 14 displays the menu screen 120 of FIG. 11 on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0096] Step S87: The operation reception unit 13 receives the pressing of the logout button 129 on the menu screen 120 by the user.

[0097] Step S88: The operation reception unit 13 transmits a message requesting logout to the control unit 11.

[0098] Step S89: The control unit 11 executes a logout process based on the received request.

[0099] Step S90: The control unit 11 transmits a request message for displaying a login screen to the display control unit 14.

[0100] Step S91: The display control unit 14 displays the login screen 110 of FIG. 10 on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0101] <Application (Device Settings) Execution Process> Next, regarding the process of executing the application for device settings, as the difference from the process of executing the application for copying described above, the processes of steps S58 to S81 in FIG. 9 will be described as steps S58' to S81'. Here, the user starts the application for device settings. Since the specified operation mode of the application for device settings is the management operation mode, the image forming apparatus 9 starts the application in the management operation mode. The user executes the application for device settings in the management operation mode. Next, the user switches the operation mode to a general user and starts the application for device settings in the general operation mode and executes the application. Hereinafter, the processing of each step will be described.

[0102] Step S58': The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the pressing of the device settings button 124 of FIG. 11 as an operation for starting the application (device settings) by the user.

[0103] Step S59': The operation reception unit 13 transmits a message (application start request) requesting the start of the device setting application to the management unit 10.

[0104] Step S60': The management unit 10 acquires the specified operation mode (= management operation mode) of the application (device setting) from the application information 201 in the application information storage unit 18 and the setting information 202 in the setting information storage unit 19. Further, the management unit 10 transmits the acquired specified operation mode to the control unit 11.

[0105] Step S61': The control unit 11 determines the operation mode for starting the application based on the specified operation mode of the received application and the user authority. Here, the specified operation mode of the application is the management operation mode, and since the user has the authority of the management user, the control unit 11 determines the operation mode for starting the application as the management operation mode.

[0106] Step S62': The control unit 11 transmits the determined operation mode for starting the application (= management operation mode) to the management unit 10.

[0107] Step S63': The management unit 10 transmits a request message for displaying the screen of the application (device setting) in the management operation mode to the display control unit 14.

[0108] Step S64': The display control unit 14 displays the screen of the application (device setting) in the management operation mode on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen 140 of the application (device setting) in the management operation mode according to the embodiment of the present invention. On the execution screen 140, a change button 141 for changing the date and time setting of the device, a cancel button 142 for canceling the change, a user ID (USER_1) which is the user information 143 of the logged-in user, and the operation mode (management user) are displayed. Further, on the execution screen 140, an operation mode switching button 144 and an end button 145 for requesting the end of the application are also displayed.

[0109] Returning to FIG. 9, an explanation will be given.

[0110] Step S65': The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the pressing of the change button 141 that starts the execution of the application (device settings) by the user.

[0111] Step S66': The operation reception unit 13 transmits a message requesting the execution of the application (device settings) to the management unit 10.

[0112] Step S67': The management unit 10 executes the application (device settings).

[0113] Step S68': The management unit 10 transmits a message requesting the display of the application execution completion notification to the display control unit 14.

[0114] Step S69': The display control unit 14 displays the application execution completion notification on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0115] Step S70': The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the pressing of the operation mode switching button 144 on the execution screen 140 of FIG. 14 by the user.

[0116] Step S71': The operation reception unit 13 transmits a message requesting the operation mode switching to the management unit 10.

[0117] Step S72': The management unit 10 transmits a message requesting the operation mode switching to the control unit 11.

[0118] Step S73': After confirming that the user has the user authority of a general user, the control unit 11 switches the operation mode from the management user to the general user.

[0119] Step S74': The control unit 11 transmits a message notifying the operation mode switching result (success) to the management unit 10.

[0120] Step S75': The management unit 10 transmits a request message for displaying a screen of the application (device settings) in the management operation mode to the display control unit 14.

[0121] Step S76': The display control unit 14 displays a screen of the application (device settings) in the management operation mode on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen of the application (device settings) in the general operation mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. On the execution screen 146, a display button 147 for confirming the date and time setting, a user ID (USER_1) which is user information 148 of the logged-in user, and the operation mode (general user) are displayed. Further, on the execution screen 146, an operation mode switching button 149 and an end button 150 for requesting the end of the application are also displayed. Comparing with the execution screen 140 in FIG. 14, on the execution screen 146, the display of the operation mode changes from the management user to the general user, and instead of the change button 141 for changing the date and time setting of the device and the cancel button 142 for canceling the change, the display button 147 is displayed.

[0122] Returning to FIG. 9 for explanation.

[0123] Step S77': The operation reception unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 receives the pressing of the display button 147 by the user in the application (device settings).

[0124] Step S78': The operation reception unit 13 transmits a message for requesting the execution of the application (device settings) to the management unit 10.

[0125] Step S79': Based on the received request, the management unit 10 causes the date and time set in the device to be displayed on the screen.

[0126] Step S80': The management unit 10 transmits a message for requesting the display of the application execution completion notification to the display control unit 14.

[0127] Step S81': The display control unit 14 displays a notification of the completion of the execution of the application (device settings) on the display screen of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0128] <First Modification Example> Regarding the first modification example in the first embodiment of the present invention, the differences from the above-described processing will be described. In the first modification example, steps S58 to S61 in the sequence diagram of the application execution process in FIG. 12 are different from the above-described processing. In steps S58 to S59, first, the operation reception unit 13 receives the pressing of the copy button 121 as an operation for starting the application (copy) by the user. Here, the operation mode determined according to the pressing time of the button by the user is transmitted to the management unit 10 together with the application start request. For example, when the pressing time of the button is longer than a predetermined time length (for example, 3 seconds), the operation mode is set to the management mode, and otherwise, the operation mode is set to the general mode. In step S60, the management unit 10 transmits the operation mode received from the operation reception unit 13 to the control unit 11 as the specified operation mode. In step S61, the control unit 11 determines the operation mode of the application at the time of startup based on the specified operation mode of the received application and the user authority. That is, the control unit 11 determines the operation mode at the time of application startup based on the application startup method (the length of the button pressing time).

[0129] <Regarding the Effects> In the first embodiment of the present invention, for each application of the image forming apparatus 9, the operation mode when the user uses the application is usually set as the specified operation mode. For example, the general operation mode is stored in the storage unit 16 for applications such as copy and scanner, and the management operation mode is stored in the storage unit 16 for applications such as device settings, job management, and log management. The image forming apparatus 9 determines the operation mode at the time of application startup based on the specified operation mode and the user authority (whether or not the user has the management user authority), and starts the application in the determined operation mode. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of operations for the user to switch the operation mode after the application is started.

[0130] As described above, several embodiments for implementing the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0131] For example, an example of the configuration diagram of the functional blocks in FIG. 4 is divided according to the main functions in order to facilitate the understanding of the processing by the information processing system 3. The present invention is not limited by the way of dividing the processing units or the names. The processing of the information processing system 3 can be further divided into more processing units according to the processing content. Also, one processing unit can be divided so as to include more processing.

[0132] Moreover, each function of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software like a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array) designed to execute each function described above, and devices such as conventional circuit modules.

[0133] Also, the described device group only shows one of a plurality of computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed in this specification. In one embodiment, the information processing system 3 includes a plurality of computing devices such as a server cluster. The plurality of computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via an arbitrary type of communication link including a network or a shared memory, and implement the processing disclosed in this specification.

[0134] In addition, buttons (such as the login button 113) displayed on the screen of the image forming apparatus 9 may also be referred to as display components.

[0135] Also, the first communication unit and the second communication unit may simply be referred to as the communication unit.

Explanation of Signs

[0136] 2 Communication network 3 Information processing system 5 Authentication server 9, 9A, 9B Image forming apparatus 10 Management unit 11 Control unit 12 Authentication unit 13 Operation reception unit 14 Display control unit 15 First communication unit 16 Storage unit 17 User information storage unit 18 Application information storage unit 19 Setting information storage unit 20 Second communication unit 106 Specified operation mode

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0137]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. An information processing system having an information processing device on which a plurality of applications operate and an authentication server that authenticates a user, wherein the information processing device, an operation reception unit that receives an operation to start the application, a control unit that determines the operation mode at the time of starting the application received by the operation reception unit based on application information in which an operation mode is associated with each application, a management unit that starts the application in the operation mode determined by the control unit, and has, even if the operation mode associated with the application received by the operation reception unit in the application information is a second operation mode, if the user's authority does not correspond to the second operation mode, the control unit determines a first operation mode different from the second operation mode as the operation mode at the time of starting the application, wherein the authentication server, An information processing system having an authentication unit that identifies the user's authority based on user information in which authority is associated with each user.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit that displays a display component for switching the operation mode on the screen of the application when the management unit starts the application.

3. Based on setting information in which the operation mode is associated with each application and each user, the control unit determines, with priority over the operation mode associated with the application information, the operation mode associated with the application received by the operation reception unit in the setting information and the user authenticated by the authentication unit as the operation mode at the time of starting the application. The information processing system according to claim 1.

4. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein when the control unit switches the operation mode of the application after startup by pressing the display component, the display control unit displays a screen requesting user authentication.

5. The control unit determines the operation mode at the time of starting the application according to the pressing time of the display component by the operation of starting the application and the user's authority associated with the user information. The information processing system according to claim 1.

6. An information processing device on which a plurality of applications operate, An operation reception unit that receives an operation to start the application; A control unit that determines the operation mode at the time of starting the application received by the operation reception unit based on application information in which an operation mode is associated with each application; A management unit that starts the application in the operation mode determined by the control unit; comprising: Even if the operation mode associated with the application received by the operation reception unit in the application information is a second operation mode, if the user's authority does not correspond to the second operation mode, the control unit determines a first operation mode different from the second operation mode as the operation mode at the time of starting the application. An information processing apparatus. **Claim 7** An information processing method performed by an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of applications operate, comprising: An operation reception step of receiving an operation to start the application; A control step of determining the operation mode at the time of starting the application received in the operation reception step based on application information in which an operation mode is associated with each application; A management step of starting the application in the operation mode determined in the control step; comprising: Even if the operation mode associated with the application received in the operation reception step in the application information is a second operation mode, if the user's authority does not correspond to the second operation mode, the control step determines a first operation mode different from the second operation mode as the operation mode at the time of starting the application. An information processing method. **Claim 8** A program for causing an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of applications operate to execute: An operation reception step of receiving an operation to start the application; A control step of determining the operation mode at the time of starting the application received in the operation reception step based on application information in which an operation mode is associated with each application; A management step of starting the application in the operation mode determined in the control step; comprising: Even if the operation mode associated with the application received in the operation reception step in the application information is the second operation mode, if the user's authority does not correspond to the second operation mode, the control step determines the first operation mode different from the second operation mode as the operation mode at the time of starting the application. Program.

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