Information processing device

Abstract

To reduce the operation for reregistering a user who has been deregistered.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: registration means which registers a user; storage means which stores the user in association with function information on a function to be used by the user registered by the registration means; and deletion means which deletes, upon occurrence of one of multiple events determined as a trigger for reducing the number of users registered by the registration means, registrations of one or more users and function information, in accordance with a rule according to the generated event. Upon occurrence of an event which is relatively high in probability that a user to be deregistered makes registration again, out of the multiple events, the deletion means does not delete function information associated with the user to be deregistered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Information processing devices equipped with functions such as printing, copying, scanning, facsimile, and e-mail are known. When using these functions, users can set desired settings in addition to using pre-set default values. For example, when using the printing function, the default paper size is A4, but users can also set various other sizes, such as A3 and B4.

[0003] Generally, information processing devices are shared by multiple users, and frequently used setting values differ for each user, which can lead to the need to reset the initial settings or settings set by others to suit the user's needs. To address this issue, technologies have been developed to reduce the effort required for setting the device. For example, setting values for each function for each user are stored in advance in the information processing device, and when a user logs in to the information processing device, the setting values corresponding to that user are automatically set (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-11183 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, allowing unlimited use of an information processing device by a large number of users can lead to problems such as information leakage, increased operating costs, and congestion, so a limit is placed on the number of users. However, it would be inconvenient if new users could not be registered once the number of registered users reaches the upper limit. Therefore, techniques for reducing the number of users have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which, when the upper limit is reached, the registration of a user who last logged in the oldest or a user with the lowest preset priority is deleted.

[0006] There is an issue to be resolved regarding deregistration. When deregistration of a user is performed, the settings corresponding to that user are generally also deleted. However, there are cases where a user whose registration has been deleted wishes to re-register. In such cases, in addition to the re-registration work, the settings must also be reset, which places a burden on both the administrator and the user.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can reduce the work involved in re-registering a user whose registration has been cancelled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the information processing device of the present invention comprises a registration means for registering users, a storage means for storing functional information regarding functions used by the users registered by the registration means in association with the users, and an erasure means for erasing the registration and the functional information of one or more users in accordance with rules corresponding to the event when one of a plurality of events defined as an opportunity to reduce the number of users registered by the registration means occurs, and the erasure means does not erase the functional information associated with the users whose registration is to be erased when an event occurs among the plurality of events that causes a relatively high possibility of the users whose registration is to be erased being re-registered.

[0009] The plurality of events may include a first event in which there is a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time or more, and a second event in which a request for user registration is made when the number of users registered by the registration means has reached an upper limit and there is no user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time or more, and the deletion means may be configured to delete the function information corresponding to the user whose registration has been deleted by the deletion means when the first event occurs, and not to delete the function information corresponding to the user whose registration has been deleted by the deletion means when the second event occurs.

[0010] The deletion means may be configured to delete the registration of a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time when the first event occurs.

[0011] The deletion means may be configured to delete the registration of a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time when the first event occurs, the user having the oldest registration date and time.

[0012] The deletion means may be configured to delete the registration of a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time when the first event occurs, and who has the oldest most recent login date and time.

[0013] The deletion means may be configured to delete the registration of the user with the oldest registration date and time when the second event occurs.

[0014] The deletion means may be configured to delete the registration of the user whose most recent login date and time is the oldest, when the second event occurs.

[0015] The function information may include a setting value preselected from setting values that can be set for the function. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the work involved in re-registering a user whose registration has been cancelled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing registration information according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing setting values included in function information according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a flow diagram of account management according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of account management according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of account management according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing authorization information included in function information according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An information processing system 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0019] First, we will explain the overall configuration of the information processing system 400. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the information processing system 400. The information processing system 400 includes a server 200, a plurality of PCs 300 (Personal Computers), and a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 (an example of an information processing apparatus) connected via a LAN 410 (Local Area Network).

[0020] The server 200 mainly manages information relating to users who use the information processing system 400. The PC 300 mainly performs document editing, sending jobs to the image forming apparatus 100, and the like.

[0021] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of image forming apparatus 100. Image forming apparatus 100 includes printer 1, scanner 110, and document feeder 120. Document feeder 120 feeds a document along a feed path that passes through the reading position of scanner 110. Scanner 110 is a flatbed image scanner that reads a document and generates image data. Printer 1 forms an image based on the image data on a sheet.

[0022] The control unit 2 is also called a controller and includes a calculation unit 2P, a storage unit 2M, and a communication unit 2C. The calculation unit 2P is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The storage unit 2M includes storage media such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a hard disk drive (HDD). The calculation unit 2P performs various processes by reading and executing control programs stored in the storage unit 2M. The communication unit 2C is a communication interface that communicates via a LAN 410. The control unit 2 may be configured to operate using only an integrated circuit without using software.

[0023] The display operation unit 19 includes a display panel, a touch panel superimposed on the display surface of the display panel, and a keypad adjacent to the display panel. The control unit 2 displays screens showing operation menus and statuses of the printer 1 and scanner 110 on the display panel, and controls each part of the printer 1 and scanner 110 in response to operations detected by the touch panel and keypad.

[0024] 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of image forming apparatus 100. The following functions are realized by calculation unit 2P of control unit 2 reading and executing a control program stored in storage unit 2M. Image forming apparatus 100 includes registration means 21 for registering users, storage means 22 for storing functional information related to functions used by users registered by registration means 21 in association with the users, and deletion means 23 for deleting the registration and functional information of one or more users in accordance with a rule corresponding to the event when one of multiple events defined as a trigger for reducing the number of users registered by registration means 21 occurs. When one of the multiple events occurs in which the possibility of the user being deleted re-registering is relatively high, deletion means 23 does not delete the functional information associated with the user whose registration is to be deleted.

[0025] [Method of registration] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing registration information. The registration means 21 registers users. User registration refers to inputting registration information via a user registration screen displayed on the display operation unit 19 and storing the input registration information in the memory unit 2M. The registration information includes a user ID (identifier), password, user name, domain name, user registration date and time, most recent login date and time, etc. As described above, the information processing system 400 according to this embodiment includes multiple image forming apparatuses 100, and one user can register with multiple image forming apparatuses 100.

[0026] The user ID is information for identifying the user. The password is information that can be known only by the user or only by the user and the administrator. If the combination of the user ID and password entered by the user into the display operation unit 19 is stored in the memory unit 2M, the control unit 2 permits login to the image forming apparatus 100. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured so that users who do not log in cannot use it, or may be configured so that users who do not log in can use only a minimum set of predetermined functions. In either case, when a user logs in, the function information (setting values) described below is applied to each function of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0027] The user name is information that makes it easier to identify a user than the user ID, such as the user's name. The domain name is a name that represents part of the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) corresponding to the IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to PC300. The user registration date and time is the date and time when the user was registered. The latest login date and time is the date and time when the user most recently logged in, and is updated every time the user logs in.

[0028] The user registration work may be performed by an administrator who manages the information processing system 400, or may be performed by the user himself / herself under the supervision of the administrator. The server 200 stores user information (user ID, etc.) of users who are permitted to register. Users who are permitted to register are, for example, related parties (employees, employees of cooperating companies, etc.) of the organization that operates the information processing system 400. When registration information is input via the display operation unit 19, the control unit 2 inquires of the server 200 whether user information corresponding to the input registration information is stored, and registers the user who wishes to be registered only if user information corresponding to the registration information is stored in the server 200.

[0029] [Storage means] The storage unit 22 stores function information related to functions used by users registered by the registration unit 21 in association with the users. Specifically, when user registration is complete, the control unit 2 displays a screen for inputting function information on the display operation unit 19 and stores the input function information in association with the user ID in the storage unit 2M. The function information is, for example, a set of setting values preselected from setting values that can be set for each function of the image forming apparatus 100. Storing setting values that are expected to be used frequently as function information reduces the effort required to set each function after logging in. The function information may be input by an administrator at the user's request, or by the user himself / herself under the administrator's supervision. If no function information is input, the control unit 2 stores predetermined initial setting values in the storage unit 2M.

[0030] When a user logs in to image forming apparatus 100, control unit 2 displays buttons corresponding to each function on display operation unit 19, and the user selects a function by operating the button. Control unit 2 reads function information corresponding to the logged-in user from storage unit 2M and applies setting values included in the function information to each function. After logging in, the user can partially change the setting values and execute processing, or update the function information using the changed setting values.

[0031] 5 is a diagram showing setting values included in the function information. In this example, setting values for the print function, copy function, scan function, facsimile function, document box function, ID card copy function, eco copy function, and newspaper copy function are shown.

[0032] For example, the setting values for the print function include setting values for paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio, color printing / black and white printing, and single-sided printing / double-sided printing. The setting values for the copy function include setting values for paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio, color copying / black and white copying, and single-sided copying / double-sided copying. The setting values for the scan function include setting values for color reading / black and white reading, resolution, and file format. The setting values for the facsimile function include setting values for document size, resolution, and density.

[0033] The setting value of the document box function is a box name, which is the name of a storage area assigned to a user. The document box is used to temporarily store image data representing an image scanned by the scanner 110, document data received from the PC 300, etc.

[0034] The control program stored in the memory unit 2M has various special functions pre-installed to perform special processes, and the special functions selected by the user can be included in the function information. In the example of Figure 5, ID card copy, eco copy, and newspaper copy are selected. ID card copy is a function used when copying ID cards such as driver's licenses and insurance cards. When continuous scanning is set, the front and back of the card are scanned in order and double-sided copies are made on a single sheet of paper. Eco copy produces copies with reduced density to save toner. Color images are converted to black and white images. Newspaper copy is a function used when copying newspapers or documents with a colored background, and adjusts the image quality so that the background color and the image on the back do not show through.

[0035] [Method of erasure] When one of a plurality of events determined as a trigger for reducing the number of users registered by the registration means 21 occurs, the deletion means 23 deletes the registration and functional information of one or more users in accordance with rules corresponding to the event that occurred. However, when an event occurs among the plurality of events that results in a relatively high possibility of the user whose registration is to be deleted re-registering, the deletion means 23 does not delete the functional information associated with the user whose registration is to be deleted.

[0036] Specifically, the multiple events include a first event in which there is a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time or longer, and a second event in which a request for user registration is made when the number of users registered by the registration means 21 has reached the upper limit, and there is no user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0037] When the first event occurs, the deletion means 23 deletes the registration of the user with the oldest registration date and time among users who have not logged in for a predetermined period of time. On the other hand, when the second event occurs, the deletion means 23 deletes the registration of the user with the oldest registration date and time.

[0038] Furthermore, when the first event occurs, the deletion means 23 deletes the functional information corresponding to the user whose registration has been deleted by the deletion means 23. On the other hand, when the second event occurs, the deletion means 23 does not delete the functional information corresponding to the user whose registration has been deleted by the deletion means 23.

[0039] Next, a description will be given of the details of the account management executed by the control unit 2. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the account management. When the image forming apparatus 100 is powered on, the control unit 2 executes the account management in accordance with the flowchart of Fig. 6.

[0040] First (step S01), the control unit 2 determines whether a predetermined timing has arrived. The predetermined timing may be only a time, a day of the week and a time, or a day (for example, the first Monday) and a time. That is, the determination in step S01 is performed periodically. If it is determined that the predetermined timing has not arrived (step S01: NO), the control unit 2 proceeds to the processing of step S04, which will be described later.

[0041] On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined timing has arrived (step S01: YES), the control unit 2 determines whether there is any user who has not logged in for a predetermined period or longer (step S02). Specifically, the control unit 2 references the registration information of all registered users (see FIG. 4) and extracts users who have not logged in for a predetermined period or longer since their most recent login date and time. The predetermined period is, for example, 30 days. If it is determined that there is no user who has not logged in for a predetermined period or longer (step S02: NO), the control unit 2 repeats the processing of step S01.

[0042] On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time or longer (step S02: YES), the control unit 2 deletes the registration and function information of the user with the oldest registration date and time among the users who have not logged in for a predetermined period of time or longer. Specifically, if multiple users are extracted in step S02, the control unit 2 references the registration information of the extracted users, identifies the user with the oldest registration date and time, and deletes the registration information and function information of the identified user from the storage unit 2M. If one user is extracted in step S02, the control unit 2 deletes the registration information and function information of that user from the storage unit 2M. Thereafter, the control unit 2 repeats the processes from step S01 onwards.

[0043] In step S04, the control unit 2 determines whether or not a request for user registration has been accepted by the display operation unit 19. If it is determined that the registration request has not been accepted (step S04: NO), the control unit 2 repeats the processes from step S01 onwards.

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined that the registration request has been accepted (step S04: YES), the control unit 2 determines whether the number of registered users has reached the upper limit (step S05).If it is determined that the number of users has not reached the upper limit (step S05: NO), the control unit 2 proceeds to the processing of step S08, which will be described later.

[0045] On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of users has reached the upper limit (step S05: YES), the control unit 2 determines whether there is a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time or more (step S06). If it is determined that there is a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time or more (step S06: YES), the control unit 2 deletes the registration and function information of the user with the oldest registration date and time among the users who have not logged in for a predetermined period of time or more (step S07), and proceeds to the processing of step S08. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time or more (step S06: NO), the control unit 2 deletes the registration and function information of the user with the oldest registration date and time (step S10), and proceeds to the processing of step S08.

[0046] In step S08, the control unit 2 registers the user who has requested registration. Specifically, the control unit 2 stores the registration information input via the display operation unit 19 in the storage unit 2M.

[0047] Next (step S09), the control unit 2 stores the function information. Specifically, the control unit 2 displays a screen for inputting the function information on the display operation unit 19, and stores the function information input via the screen in the storage unit 2M in association with the registered user.

[0048] The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment described above includes a registration unit 21 that registers users, a storage unit 22 that stores function information related to functions used by users registered by the registration unit 21 in association with the users, and an erasure unit 23 that, when one of a plurality of events defined as triggers for reducing the number of users registered by the registration unit 21 occurs, erases the registration and function information of one or more users in accordance with a rule corresponding to the event that occurred, and when an event occurs among the plurality of events that causes a relatively high possibility that the user whose registration is to be erased will re-register, the erasure unit 23 does not erase the function information associated with the user whose registration is to be erased. With this configuration, the work of storing function information is not required when a user who is relatively likely to re-register is re-registered, thereby reducing the work involved in re-registering a user whose registration was erased.

[0049] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the multiple events include a first event in which a user does not log in for a predetermined period of time or more, and a second event in which a request for user registration is made when the number of users registered by the registration unit 21 has reached its upper limit, and no user does not log in for a predetermined period of time or more. When the first event occurs, the deletion unit 23 deletes the functional information corresponding to the user whose registration has been deleted by the deletion unit 23. When the second event occurs, the deletion unit 23 does not delete the functional information corresponding to the user whose registration has been deleted by the deletion unit 23. According to this configuration, when the second event occurs, the registration of a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time is deleted, but this user is more likely to re-register than a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time. In other words, according to this configuration, the functional information associated with a user who is relatively likely to re-register is not deleted, thereby reducing the effort required to input setting values when re-registering a user who is relatively likely to re-register.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, when the first event occurs, the deletion unit 23 deletes the registration of the user with the oldest registration date and time among the users who have not logged in for a predetermined period of time. With this configuration, it is possible to delete the registration of a user who is unlikely to use the information processing apparatus among the users who have not logged in for a predetermined period of time.

[0051] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, when the second event occurs, the deletion unit 23 deletes the registration of the user with the oldest registration date and time. This configuration makes it possible to delete the registration of a user who is unlikely to use the image forming apparatus 100.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the image forming device 100 of this embodiment, the function information includes setting values that are pre-selected from the setting values that can be set for the function, thereby reducing the work of inputting setting values when re-registering a user.

[0053] The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of account management according to a modified example. In the above embodiment, when a first event occurs, the deletion unit 23 deletes the registration of the user with the oldest registration date and time among users who have not logged in for a predetermined period of time (FIG. 6, steps S03 and S07). However, the deletion unit 23 may be configured to delete the registration of the corresponding user, i.e., the user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time, when a first event occurs (steps S03a and S07a). This configuration makes it possible to delete the registration of users who are unlikely to use the image forming apparatus 100. In this configuration, if there are multiple users who have not logged in for a predetermined period of time, the registrations of all users are deleted.

[0055] 8 is a flowchart of account management according to a modified example. In the above embodiment, when a first event occurs, the deletion unit 23 deletes the registration of the user with the oldest registration date and time among the users who have not logged in for a predetermined period of time (FIG. 6, steps S03 and S07). However, the deletion unit 23 may be configured to delete the registration of the user with the oldest latest login date and time among the users who have not logged in for a predetermined period of time (FIG. 8, steps S03b and S07b). With this configuration, it is possible to delete the registration of a user who is unlikely to use the image forming apparatus 100 among the users who have not logged in for a predetermined period of time.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the deletion unit 23 deletes the registration of the user with the oldest registration date and time when the second event occurs (FIG. 6, step S10), but the deletion unit 23 may be configured to delete the registration of the user with the oldest latest login date and time when the second event occurs (FIG. 8, step S10b). With this configuration, it is possible to delete the registration of a user who is unlikely to use the image forming apparatus 100.

[0057] In addition to the configuration of the above embodiment, a notification means may be provided that, when functional information corresponding to a user who has requested re-registration after having been deleted by the deletion means 23 is stored in the storage means 22, notifies the user who has requested re-registration that the functional information before deregistration is available. For example, the control unit 2 may cause the display operation unit 19 to display that the functional information before deregistration is available. This configuration makes it possible to prevent an administrator or user from performing setting work without knowing that the functional information before deregistration is available.

[0058] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the registration of the user with the oldest registration date and time is deleted, but the system may be configured to delete the registration of the user who logs in least frequently. For example, the system may be configured to delete the registration of the user who logs in the fewest times in 180 days.

[0059] In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 100 has been shown, but the present invention may also be applied to an information processing apparatus other than the image forming apparatus 100, for example, the server 200. Since the information processing system 400 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100 (see FIG. 1 ), the server 200 stores registration information and function information in association with each of the image forming apparatuses 100, and performs the account management of the above embodiment for each image forming apparatus 100.

[0060] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the function information included a setting value pre-selected from setting values that can be set for the function, but the function information may also include authorization information indicating whether each function can be used.

[0061] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing authorization information included in function information according to a modified example. In this example, the initial values of authorization information for the black and white printing function, color printing function, copy function, scan and send function, and facsimile sending function are shown. The authorization information is either "permitted" or "not permitted." The authorization information has a predetermined initial value entered by the administrator according to the field of responsibility, job rank, etc., but if a user wishes to use a function that is not permitted by the initial value, the user may be permitted to use it by requesting the administrator. The initial value of authorization information for the black and white printing function, color printing function, and scan and send function is "permitted." The initial value of authorization information for the copy function and facsimile sending function is "not permitted."

[0062] When a user logs in to image forming apparatus 100, control unit 2 displays buttons corresponding to each function on display operation unit 19, and the user selects a function by operating the button. Control unit 2 reads authorization information corresponding to the logged-in user from memory unit 2M and determines whether each function can be used according to the authorization information. If the user selects a function for which the authorization information is "permitted," control unit 2 executes processing using the selected function. On the other hand, if the user selects a function for which the authorization information is "not permitted," control unit 2 does not execute processing using the selected function. Image forming apparatus 100 according to this modified example can reduce the work of inputting authorization information when re-registering a user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 100 Image forming device (information processing device) 21 Registration Method 22 Memory means 23. Means of erasure

Claims

1. a registration means for registering users; a storage means for storing function information relating to functions used by the user registered by the registration means in association with the user; a deletion means for deleting the registration of one or more users and the functional information in accordance with a rule corresponding to the event when one of a plurality of events determined as an opportunity to reduce the number of users registered by the registration means occurs, The information processing device is characterized in that the deletion means does not delete the functional information associated with the user whose registration is being deleted when an event occurs among the plurality of events that causes a relatively high possibility of the user whose registration is being deleted re-registering.

2. The plurality of events include: A first event in which there is a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time or longer; a second event in which a request for user registration is made when the number of users registered by the registration means has reached an upper limit, and there is no user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time or longer; The erasure means When the first event occurs, the deletion means deletes the function information corresponding to the user whose registration has been deleted; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the second event occurs, the function information corresponding to the user whose registration has been deleted by the deleting means is not deleted.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the deletion means deletes the registration of a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time when the first event occurs.

4. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the deletion means deletes the registration of a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time, the user having the oldest registration date and time, when the first event occurs.

5. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the deletion means deletes the registration of a user who has not logged in for a predetermined period of time and whose most recent login date and time is the oldest, when the first event occurs.

6. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the deletion unit deletes the registration of a user with the oldest registration date and time when the second event occurs.

7. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the deletion unit deletes the registration of a user whose most recent login date and time is the oldest when the second event occurs.

8. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function information includes a setting value selected in advance from setting values that can be set for the function.

Images