Setting system, setting program, information processing system and computer

Abstract

To provide a setting system, a setting program, and an information processing system that can reduce a possibility of the presence of an electronic apparatus that displays an inappropriate operation screen.SOLUTION: A setting system 70 setting an operation screen in an image forming apparatus 20 manages the image forming apparatus 20 and a layout of the operation screen in association with each other. The operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system executing a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system executing authentication and authorization of a user of the image forming apparatus 20, and a button associated with a function of the image forming apparatus 20. When receiving a request for a layout from the image forming apparatus 20 (S188), the setting system transmits the layout associated with the image forming apparatus 20 to the image forming apparatus 20 (S189-S190).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a setting system, a setting program, and an information processing system for setting an operation screen of an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART As a conventional electronic device, an image forming apparatus capable of customizing an operation screen is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-124605 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional electronic devices, when a large number of electronic devices are managed by an administrator, there is a problem that the administrator may overlook electronic devices that display operation screens that are not properly customized, and as a result, there is a possibility that electronic devices may display operation screens that are not properly customized.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a setting system, a setting program, and an information processing system that can reduce the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The setting system of the present invention is a setting system for setting an operation screen in an electronic device, which manages the electronic device in association with the layout of the operation screen, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device, transmits the layout associated with this electronic device to the electronic device.

[0007] With this configuration, when a layout is requested from an electronic device, the setting system of the present invention sends the layout associated with that electronic device to the electronic device, so that the operation screen displayed by the electronic device can be checked on the setting system without the administrator of the electronic device having to check each electronic device on the electronic device.As a result, even when a large number of electronic devices are managed by an administrator, the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

[0008] The setting system of the present invention may, when receiving a reservation to install a program for requesting the layout from the setting system into the electronic device at a specific timing, install the program into the electronic device when the specific timing arrives.

[0009] With this configuration, the setting system of the present invention installs a program for requesting a layout from the setting system into an electronic device at a scheduled time, thereby reducing the burden on the administrator of the electronic device to manage the installation status of this program into the electronic device.

[0010] The setting system of the present invention may, when the specified timing arrives, install the program that is the subject of the reservation only in the electronic device that does not have the program installed or that has an older version of the program than the program that is the subject of the reservation installed.

[0011] With this configuration, the setting system of the present invention installs the reserved program only in electronic devices that do not have a program for requesting a layout from the setting system installed or that have an older version of the reserved program installed, thereby reducing the possibility of downtime occurring in the electronic devices due to unnecessary installation.

[0012] The setting program of the present invention is a setting program for setting an operation screen in an electronic device, and is characterized in that it associates the electronic device with the layout of the operation screen and manages them on a computer, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device to the computer, it transmits the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device.

[0013] With this configuration, when a layout is requested from an electronic device, the computer executing the setting program of the present invention sends the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device. Therefore, the operation screen displayed by the electronic device can be checked on the setting system without the administrator of the electronic device having to check it on each electronic device. As a result, even when a large number of electronic devices are managed by the administrator, the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

[0014] The information processing system of the present invention comprises an electronic device and a setting system that sets an operation screen on the electronic device, wherein the setting system manages the electronic device in association with the layout of the operation screen, the electronic device requests the layout from the setting system, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device, the setting system transmits the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device, and the electronic device displays the operation screen according to the layout received from the setting system.

[0015] With this configuration, when an electronic device requests a layout from the setting system, the information processing system of the present invention has the setting system send the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device. Therefore, the operation screen displayed by the electronic device can be checked on the setting system without the administrator of the electronic device having to check it on each electronic device on the electronic device. As a result, even when a large number of electronic devices are managed by an administrator, the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The setting system, setting program, and information processing system of the present invention can reduce the possibility that an electronic device will display an inappropriate operation screen. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when configured as an MFP. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit by the client application shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the user terminal shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the setting system shown in FIG. 1 when configured with one computer. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of device information shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of layout management information shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 when information about a new image forming apparatus is added to the device information. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 when a device list is displayed. [Figure 10] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a device list displayed on the user terminal shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 11] 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 when a client application program is installed in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 when saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 13]1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen editing screen displayed on a display unit of the user terminal shown in FIG. [Figure 14] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system shown in FIG. 1 when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus using a combination of a user name and a password. [Figure 15] 1 when an image forming apparatus uses a ticket transmitted from a user information holding system to utilize a document processing flow execution system. FIG. [Figure 16] 1 when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus using a PIN code. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system shown in FIG. 1 when the image forming apparatus uses a ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system to utilize the document processing flow execution system. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] First, the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0021] 1, an information processing system 10 includes an image forming apparatus 20 as an electronic device. In addition to the image forming apparatus 20, the information processing system 10 may also include at least one other image forming apparatus having a similar configuration to the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus in the information processing system 10 may be configured, for example, as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a dedicated printer, or the like.

[0022] The information processing system 10 includes a user terminal 30 used by a user. In addition to the user terminal 30, the information processing system 10 may also include at least one other user terminal having the same configuration as the user terminal 30. The user terminal in the information processing system 10 is configured by a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), for example.

[0023] The information processing system 10 includes a document processing flow execution system 40 that executes a document processing flow as a workflow for document processing. The document processing flow execution system 40 may be configured with a single computer or multiple computers. The document processing flow executed by the document processing flow execution system 40 includes an input stage where a document is input, a document processing stage where various processes are performed on the document input at the input stage, and an output stage where the results of the processes at the document processing stage are output. There are various methods for inputting a document at the input stage, such as inputting an image scanned from a document by a scanner in an image forming device, inputting a document located in a specific folder, or inputting a document attached to a received email. There are various types of document processing at the document processing stage, such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing that generates text from an image as a document, ZoneOCR processing that generates text from a portion of an image as a document, processing that performs specific image processing on the image as a document, such as skew correction, dot removal, and noise removal, and processing that converts the format of the image as a document. There are various methods for outputting the processing results in the output stage, such as outputting to a specific folder or sending to a specific destination by email. The document processing flow execution system 40 can save multiple document processing flows.

[0024] The information processing system 10 may include an authentication and authorization system 50 that authenticates and authorizes users of the information processing system 10. The authentication and authorization system 50 may be configured with a single computer or multiple computers. The authentication and authorization system 50 manages restrictions on the use of various functions of the image forming device for each user and can provide authorization information indicating restrictions on the use of various functions of the image forming device for authenticated users, i.e., users who have logged in to the image forming device, to the image forming device and the document processing flow execution system 40. The authentication and authorization system 50 can, for example, spool print data sent from a user terminal and output spooled print data to one of the image forming devices. The authentication and authorization system 50 can also manage the use of image forming devices by users of the information processing system 10. The authentication and authorization system 50 can register an IC (Integrated Circuit) card ID for each user.

[0025] The information processing system 10 can be equipped with a user information storage system 60 that stores information about users of the information processing system 10. The user information storage system 60 can be configured with one computer or multiple computers. The user information storage system 60 can also store information used in a system other than the document processing flow execution system 40 or the authentication / authorization system 50.

[0026] The information processing system 10 can include a setting system 70 that sets the operation screen of the image forming apparatus. The setting system 70 may be configured with one computer or multiple computers.

[0027] The image forming device in the information processing system 10, the user terminal in the information processing system 10, the document processing flow execution system 40, the authentication and authorization system 50, the user information retention system 60, and the setting system 70 can be connected to communicate with each other via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 20 when configured as an MFP.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 20 is a computer that includes an operation unit 21, which is an input device such as a button through which various operations are input; a display unit 22, which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information; a printer 23, which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper; a scanner 24, which is a reading device that reads images from a document; a fax communication unit 25, which is a fax device that performs fax communication with an external facsimile machine (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line; a communication unit 26, which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a memory unit 27, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information; and a control unit 28 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 20.

[0030] The storage unit 27 can store a client application program 27a as an application program for providing a user with the functions of the image forming apparatus 20, the document processing flow execution system 40 (see FIG. 1), and the authentication and authorization system 50 (see FIG. 1). The client application program 27a may be installed in the image forming apparatus 20 during the manufacturing stage of the image forming apparatus 20, or may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 20 from a network.

[0031] The storage unit 27 can store an application program 27b that is different from the client application program 27a. The storage unit 27 can store at least one other application program that is different from the client application program 27a, in addition to the application program 27b.

[0032] Only one application program can be installed in the image forming device 20. When installed, there are two types of application programs: an extended authentication application program that is first started when the image forming device 20 is started and that displays an authentication screen on the display unit 22, and an extended application program that is an application program other than the extended authentication application program. The client application program 27a is an extended authentication application program.

[0033] The storage unit 27 can store login method information 27c that indicates a login method on the authentication screen of the image forming apparatus 20. The login method information 27c indicates any one of a method of logging in using a combination of a user name and a password, a method of logging in using a PIN (Personal Identification Number) code, a method of logging in using an IC card ID, and a combination of these methods.

[0034] Control unit 28 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a volatile storage device used as a work area for the CPU of control unit 28. The CPU of control unit 28 executes programs stored in storage unit 27 or the ROM of control unit 28.

[0035] Control unit 28 realizes client application 28a by executing client application program 27a. Client application 28a can restrict the use of various functions of image forming apparatus 20, such as "scan" for reading an image from an original document using scanner 24, "print output" for printing various images, such as images based on print data received via communication unit 26, onto a recording medium using printer 23, "copy" for printing an image read from an original document using scanner 24 onto a recording medium using printer 23, "fax transmission" for transmitting an image read from an original document using scanner 24 via fax communication unit 25, and "scan transmission" for transmitting an image read from an original document using scanner 24 via communication unit 26, based on authorization information obtained from authentication and authorization system 50.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen 80 displayed on the display unit 22 (see FIG. 2) by the client application 28a (see FIG. 2).

[0037] 3, buttons associated with functions of the image forming apparatus 20 (see FIG. 1), the document processing flow execution system 40 (see FIG. 1), or the authentication and authorization system 50 (see FIG. 1) are arranged. When a button arranged on the operation screen 80 is tapped, the client application 28a can use the function associated with the button. Each button arranged on the operation screen 80 is composed of an icon image 80a, a background 80b of the icon image 80a, and a character string 80c arranged below the icon image 80a.

[0038] The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a "Workflow A" button 81a as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow A, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40; a "Workflow B" button 81b as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow B, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40; a "Workflow C" button 81c as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow C, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40; and a "Workflow D" button 81d as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow D, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40. The "Workflow A" button 81a, the "Workflow B" button 81b, the "Workflow C" button 81c, and the "Workflow D" button 81d are buttons with which functions of the document processing flow execution system 40 are associated.

[0039] The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a "Print All" button 82a for causing the printer 23 to print based on all print data of the user currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 20 that has been spooled in the authentication and authorization system 50, a "My Jobs" button 82b for causing the printer 23 to print based on print data selected by the user on a case-by-case basis from the print data of the user currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 20 that has been spooled in the authentication and authorization system 50, and a "Register IC Card" button 82c for registering the IC card ID of the user currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 20 in the authentication and authorization system 50. The "Print All" button 82a, the "My Jobs" button 82b, and the "Register IC Card" button 82c are buttons associated with functions of the authentication and authorization system 50.

[0040] The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a “Copy” button 83a for executing a copy with settings corresponding to values ​​specified by the user each time, a “Send” button 83b for executing a scan transmission with settings corresponding to values ​​specified by the user each time, a “Fax” button 83c for executing a fax transmission with settings corresponding to values ​​specified by the user each time, a “Custom Box” button 83d for saving an image read from a document by the scanner 24 in a specific area on the memory unit 27 and printing the image saved in this area by the printer 23, a “Job Box” button 83e for saving data received from an external electronic device such as a PC in a specific area on the memory unit 27 and printing based on the data saved in this area, a “USB” button 83f for saving an image read from a document by the scanner 24 in a USB memory connected to the image forming device 20 and printing based on the data saved in the USB memory connected to the image forming device 20, and an “Application” button 83g for executing a specific application program other than the client application program 27a installed on the image forming device 20. The "Copy" button 83a, "Send" button 83b, "Fax" button 83c, "Custom Box" button 83d, "Job Box" button 83e, "USB" button 83f, and "Application" button 83g are buttons associated with functions of the image forming apparatus 20.

[0041] In addition to the "Copy" button 83a, "Send" button 83b, "Fax" button 83c, "Custom Box" button 83d, "Job Box" button 83e, "USB" button 83f, and "Application" button 83g, other buttons associated with the functions of the image forming device 20 include, for example, a "Scan" button for scanning with settings according to values ​​specified by the user each time, a "Quick Copy" button for instantly copying with settings according to pre-specified values, a "Quick Scan" button for instantly scanning with settings according to pre-specified values, and a "Quick Fax" button for instantly sending a fax with settings according to pre-specified values.

[0042] The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a "folder" button 84a for transitioning to an operation screen one level below the operation screen 80. The operation screen transitioned to by tapping the "folder" button 84a may have buttons arranged thereon that are associated with at least one function of the image forming apparatus 20, the document processing flow execution system 40, and the authentication and authorization system 50, just like the operation screen 80.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the user terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the user terminal 30 includes an operation unit 31, which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input; a display unit 32, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information; a communication unit 33, which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a memory unit 34, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information; and a control unit 35 that controls the entire user terminal 30.

[0045] The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a volatile storage device used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 35. The CPU of the control unit 35 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 34 or the ROM of the control unit 35.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the setting system 70 when configured by one computer.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the setting system 70 includes an operation unit 71, which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input; a display unit 72, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information; a communication unit 73, which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a memory unit 74, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information; and a control unit 75 that controls the entire setting system 70.

[0048] The storage unit 74 stores a setting program 74a for setting a client application program of the image forming apparatus. The setting program 74a may be installed in the setting system 70 during the manufacturing stage of the setting system 70, or may be additionally installed in the setting system 70 from an external storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the setting system 70 from a network.

[0049] The storage unit 74 can store device information 74b, which is information about the image forming device managed by a setting tool 75a, which will be described later.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the device information 74b.

[0051] The device information 74b shown in Figure 6 includes, for each image forming device, a product name, a host name, an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a serial ID which is identification information of the image forming device, and a MAC (Media Access Control) address which is identification information of the image forming device.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 74 can store a client application program 74c to be installed in the image forming apparatus.

[0053] The storage unit 74 can store a layout 74d of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus. The storage unit 74 can store at least one other layout of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus in addition to the layout 74d.

[0054] The storage unit 74 can store layout management information 74e that manages the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the layout management information 74e.

[0056] 7 shows, for each image forming device, the identification information of the image forming device and the layout to be applied to the image forming device in association with each other. Note that in FIG. 7, "Device a," "Device b," "Device c," etc. are listed as the identification information of the image forming device. However, the identification information of the image forming device is actually, for example, at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming device.

[0057] 5, the control unit 75 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a volatile storage device used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 75. The CPU of the control unit 75 executes programs stored in the storage unit 74 or the ROM of the control unit 75.

[0058] The control unit 75 executes the setting program 74a to implement a setting tool 75a, which can install a client application program in the image forming apparatus.

[0059] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 will be described.

[0060] First, the operation of the setting system 70 when adding information about a new image forming device to the device information 74b will be described.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting system 70 when adding information about a new image forming device to the device information 74b.

[0062] After logging in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, the image forming device administrator can input an instruction to add information about a new image forming device to the device information 74b (hereinafter referred to as an "information addition instruction") to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. The image forming device administrator includes at least one of the IP address and host name of the image forming device (hereinafter referred to as an "information addition request device") whose information is to be added to the device information 74b in the information addition instruction. Upon receiving the information addition instruction, the setting tool 75a executes the operation shown in FIG. 8.

[0063] 8, the setting tool 75a acquires the product name, host name, IP address, serial ID, and MAC address of the information addition requesting device from the information addition requesting device (S101). Here, the setting tool 75a accesses the information addition requesting device using at least one of the IP address and host name of the information addition requesting device that were included in the information addition instruction.

[0064] After the process of S101, the setting tool 75a stores the information acquired in S101 in the device information 74b (S102), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0065] Next, the operation of the setting system 70 when displaying a list of image forming devices (hereinafter referred to as a "device list") managed by the setting tool 75a will be described.

[0066] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting system 70 when displaying a list of devices.

[0067] An administrator of the image forming apparatus can log in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, and then input an instruction to display a device list (hereinafter referred to as a "list display instruction") to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. Upon receiving the list display instruction, the setting tool 75a executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0068] 9, the setting tool 75a acquires the versions of the client application programs installed in the image forming devices (hereinafter referred to as "installed versions") from all image forming devices managed by the setting tool 75a itself (S121). Here, the setting tool 75a accesses the image forming devices using at least one of the IP addresses and host names of the image forming devices included in the device information 74b.

[0069] After the process of S121, the setting tool 75a transmits a device list including the information acquired in S121 to the user terminal that sent the list display instruction (S122), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0070] When the device list is transmitted from the setting tool 75a in step S122, the user terminal displays the device list transmitted from the setting tool 75a on the display unit of the user terminal.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a device list displayed on a user terminal.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 10, the device list includes the product name, host name, IP address, serial ID, MAC address, and installed version for each image forming device. Note that in the device list shown in Fig. 10, image forming devices with the value "None" in the installed version column are image forming devices in which no client application program is installed.

[0073] Next, the operation of the setting system 70 when installing a client application program in an image forming apparatus will be described.

[0074] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting system 70 when a client application program is installed in an image forming apparatus.

[0075] An administrator of the image forming apparatus can log in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, and then upload a client application program to be installed in the image forming apparatus to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. When the client application program is uploaded, the setting tool 75a performs the operation shown in FIG.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 11, the setting tool 75a stores the uploaded client application program in the storage unit 74 as a client application program 74c (S141).

[0077] Next, the setting tool 75a determines whether an instruction to reserve installation of the client application program on the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an "installation reservation instruction") has been accepted (S142) until it determines that the instruction has been accepted. Here, the administrator of the image forming apparatus can input the installation reservation instruction to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. In the installation reservation instruction, the administrator of the image forming apparatus can specify, for example, immediately, a specific date and time specified by the administrator of the image forming apparatus, a specific time every day specified by the administrator of the image forming apparatus, a specific day of the week specified by the administrator of the image forming apparatus, or a specific date every month specified by the administrator of the image forming apparatus as the timing for installing the client application program on the image forming apparatus.

[0078] When the setting tool 75a determines in S142 that the installation reservation instruction has been received, it reserves the installation of the client application program in the image forming apparatus at the timing included in the installation reservation instruction (S143).

[0079] After the process of S143, the setting tool 75a determines whether the timing reserved in S143 has arrived (S144) until it determines that the timing reserved in S143 has arrived.

[0080] When the setting tool 75a determines in S144 that the timing reserved in S143 has arrived, it acquires the installed versions of the client application programs of the image forming devices from all image forming devices managed by the setting tool 75a itself (S145). Here, the setting tool 75a accesses the image forming devices using at least one of the IP addresses and host names of the image forming devices included in the device information 74b.

[0081] Next, the setting tool 75a identifies, based on the information acquired in S145, image forming devices on which the client application program is not installed and image forming devices on which an older version of the client application program stored in S141 than the client application program 74c to be installed is installed (S146).

[0082] Next, the setting tool 75a distributes the client application program 74c to be installed, which was stored in S141, to all image forming apparatuses identified in S146 (S147), and the operation shown in FIG. 11 ends.

[0083] The control unit of the image forming apparatus to which the client application program is distributed from the setting tool 75a immediately installs the client application program distributed from the setting tool 75a in the image forming apparatus itself.

[0084] Next, the operation of the setting system 70 when saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus will be described.

[0085] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting system 70 when saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus.

[0086] After logging in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, the administrator of the image forming device can input an instruction to start editing the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device (hereinafter referred to as an "edit start instruction") to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. Upon receiving the edit start instruction, the setting tool 75a executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0087] 12, the setting tool 75a displays an operation screen editing screen 90 (see FIG. 13) for editing the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus on the user terminal that has sent the instruction to start editing (S161). Therefore, the control unit of the user terminal that has sent the instruction to start editing displays the operation screen editing screen 90 on the display unit of the user terminal itself, and transmits operations on the operation screen editing screen 90 via the operation unit of the user terminal itself to the setting system 70.

[0088] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen editing screen 90 displayed on the display unit of the user terminal.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 13, the operation screen editing screen 90 has an operation screen area 91 that shows an image of the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device. The operation screen area 91 has a total of 18 rectangular areas, arranged in three rows and six columns. One button is formed by one or more rectangular areas. In other words, a maximum of 18 buttons can be arranged on the operation screen of the image forming device.

[0090] The operation screen editing screen 90 includes a “Document Processing Flow Execution System” button 92a for adding buttons associated with functions of the document processing flow execution system 40, such as a “Workflow A” button, a “Workflow B” button, a “Workflow C” button, and a “Workflow D” button, to the operation screen area 91; an “Authentication Authorization System” button 92b for adding buttons associated with functions of the authentication authorization system 50, such as a “Print All” button, a “My Jobs” button, and a “Register IC Card” button, to the operation screen area 91; an “Image Forming Device” button 92c for adding buttons associated with functions of an image forming device, such as a “Copy” button, a “Send” button, a “Fax” button, a “Custom Box” button, a “Job Box” button, a “USB” button, and an “Application” button, to the operation screen area 91; and an “Other” button 92d for adding a “Folder” button to the operation screen area 91.

[0091] The operation screen editing screen 90 has an "Open Properties" button 93a for setting the properties of the button selected in the operation screen area 91, and a "Delete Button" button 93b for deleting the button selected in the operation screen area 91. The button properties include the placement, size, color, name, and icon image of the button in the operation screen area 91. The color of the button in the operation screen area 91 refers to the background color of the icon image of the button in the operation screen area 91. The name of the button in the operation screen area 91 is a character string that is placed below the icon image of the button in the operation screen area 91.

[0092] The operation screen editing screen 90 includes a cancel button 94a for canceling editing of the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus, and a save button 94b for saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 12, after the process of S161, the setting tool 75a determines whether or not the cancel button 94a has been pressed (S162).

[0094] If the setting tool 75a determines in S162 that the cancel button 94a has not been pressed, it determines whether the save button 94b has been pressed (S163).

[0095] If the setting tool 75a determines in S163 that the save button 94b has not been pressed, it executes the process of S162.

[0096] When the setting tool 75a determines in S163 that the save button 94b has been pressed, it saves the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus set on the operation screen editing screen 90 in the storage unit 74 (S164).

[0097] When the setting tool 75a determines in S162 that the cancel button 94a has been pressed or executes the process of S164, it terminates the display of the operation screen editing screen 90 on the user terminal (S165) and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0098] Next, the operation of the setting system 70 when setting a layout to be applied to the image forming apparatus will be described.

[0099] After logging in to the setting tool 75a via a user terminal, the administrator of the image forming device can input instructions for setting the layout to be applied to the image forming device (hereinafter referred to as "layout setting instructions") to the setting system 70 via the user terminal.

[0100] When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives the layout setting instruction, it changes the layout management information 74e in accordance with the received layout setting instruction.

[0101] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus 20 using a combination of a user name and a password will be described.

[0102] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus 20 using a combination of a user name and a password.

[0103] The operation shown in FIG. 14 is performed when the login method information 27c in the image forming apparatus 20 indicates a login method using a combination of a user name and a password.

[0104] 14, when a user is not currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 20, the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 displays an authentication screen on the display unit 22 for the user to log in to the image forming apparatus 20 (S181). Here, since the login method information 27c indicates a method for logging in using a combination of a user name and a password, the client application 28a adopts the method for logging in using a combination of a user name and a password as the login method on the authentication screen displayed in S181.

[0105] When the login instruction is received on the authentication screen displayed in S181, the client application 28a requests the user information holding system 60 to log in the user (S182). This request includes the combination of the user name and password entered by the user via the operation unit 21 on the authentication screen displayed in S181.

[0106] Upon receiving the request in S182, the user information holding system 60 determines whether to permit the user to log in (S183). Here, if the combination of user name and password included in the request in S182 is included in the combinations of user name and password held by the user information holding system 60 itself, that is, if the user authentication is successful, the user information holding system 60 determines to permit the user to log in. On the other hand, if the combination of user name and password included in the request in S182 is not included in the combinations of user name and password held by the user information holding system 60 itself, that is, if the user authentication is unsuccessful, the user information holding system 60 determines not to permit the user to log in.

[0107] When the user information holding system 60 determines in S183 that the user's login is not permitted, it notifies the image forming apparatus 20 that the user's login is not permitted (S184). Therefore, the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 displays a failure of the login on the display unit 22 (S185), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0108] On the other hand, when the user information holding system 60 decides in S183 to allow the user to log in, it issues a ticket indicating that the user information holding system 60 has allowed the user to log in (S186), and sends the ticket issued in S186 to the image forming device 20 (S187).

[0109] When the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60 in S187, it requests the setting system 70 to provide a layout to be applied to the image forming apparatus 20 itself (S188). The client application 28a includes at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming apparatus 20 itself in the request in S188.

[0110] When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives the request in S188, it identifies the layout to be applied to the image forming device 20 based on at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming device 20 included in the request in S188 and the layout management information 74e (S189), and transmits the layout identified in S189 to the image forming device 20 (S190).

[0111] When the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 receives the layout sent from the setting system 70 in S190, it displays an operation screen corresponding to this layout on the display unit 22 (S191) and terminates the operation shown in Figure 14.

[0112] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image forming device 20 uses the ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60 to utilize the document processing flow execution system 40 will be described.

[0113] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image forming apparatus 20 uses the ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60 to utilize the document processing flow execution system 40 .

[0114] A user of the image forming device 20 can instruct the image forming device 20 to use the functions of the document processing flow execution system 40 by, for example, pressing a "Workflow" button on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 22 via the operation unit 21.

[0115] When the image forming device 20 is instructed to use a function of the document processing flow execution system 40, it requests the document processing flow execution system 40 to use the function of the document processing flow execution system 40 (S201), as shown in Fig. 15. The image forming device 20 includes the ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60 in S187 (see Fig. 14) in the request in S201.

[0116] When the document processing flow execution system 40 receives the request in S201, it inquires of the user information storage system 60 about the validity of the ticket included in the request in S201 (S202).

[0117] When the user information storage system 60 receives the inquiry in S202, it determines the validity of the ticket whose validity was inquired about in S202 (S203).

[0118] If the user information holding system 60 determines in S203 that the ticket whose validity was inquired in S202 is not valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is not valid (S204). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 notifies the image forming device 20 that use of the function requested in S201 is not permitted (S205).

[0119] On the other hand, if the user information holding system 60 determines in S203 that the ticket whose validity was inquired about in S202 is valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is valid (S206). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 executes the function requested in S201 (S207) and notifies the image forming device 20 of the execution result in S207 (S208).

[0120] The above describes the case where the image forming device 20 uses the document processing flow execution system 40 using a ticket sent from the user information holding system 60, but the same applies to the case where the image forming device 20 uses the authentication and authorization system 50 using a ticket sent from the user information holding system 60.

[0121] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus 20 using a PIN code will be described.

[0122] FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus 20 using a PIN code.

[0123] The operation shown in FIG. 16 is performed when the login method information 27c in the image forming apparatus 20 indicates a method for logging in using a PIN code.

[0124] 16, when the user is not currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 20, the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 displays an authentication screen on the display unit 22 for the user to log in to the image forming apparatus 20 (S221). Here, since the login method information 27c indicates a method for logging in using a PIN code, the client application 28a adopts the method for logging in using a PIN code as the login method on the authentication screen displayed in S221.

[0125] When the login instruction is received on the authentication screen displayed in S221, the client application 28a requests the authentication authorization system 50 to log in the user (S222). This request includes the PIN code input by the user via the operation unit 21 on the authentication screen displayed in S221.

[0126] Upon receiving the request in S222, the authentication authorization system 50 determines whether to permit the user to log in (S223). Here, if the PIN code contained in the request in S222 is included among the PIN codes held by the authentication authorization system 50 itself, that is, if the authentication of the user is successful, the authentication authorization system 50 determines to permit the user to log in. On the other hand, if the PIN code contained in the request in S222 is not included among the PIN codes held by the authentication authorization system 50 itself, that is, if the authentication of the user is unsuccessful, the authentication authorization system 50 determines not to permit the user to log in.

[0127] When the authentication and authorization system 50 determines in S223 that the user's login is not permitted, it notifies the image forming apparatus 20 that the user's login is not permitted (S224). Therefore, the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 displays a failure of the login on the display unit 22 (S225), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0128] On the other hand, when the authentication and authorization system 50 decides in S223 to permit the user to log in, it issues a ticket indicating that the authentication and authorization system 50 has permitted the user to log in (S226), and sends the ticket issued in S226 to the image forming device 20 (S227).

[0129] When the client application 28a of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50 in S227, the client application 28a requests the setting system 70 to provide a layout to be applied to the image forming apparatus 20 itself (S228). The client application 28a includes at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming apparatus 20 itself in the request in S228.

[0130] When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives the request in S228, it identifies the layout to be applied to the image forming device 20 based on at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming device 20 included in the request in S228 and the layout management information 74e (S229), and transmits the layout identified in S229 to the image forming device 20 (S230).

[0131] When the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 receives the layout sent from the setting system 70 in S230, it displays an operation screen corresponding to this layout on the display unit 22 (S231) and ends the operation shown in Figure 16.

[0132] 16, the case where a user logs in to image forming apparatus 20 using a PIN code has been described, but the same applies to the case where a user logs in to image forming apparatus 20 using an IC card ID. However, when a user logs in to image forming apparatus 20 using an IC card ID, the ID of the IC card read by an IC card reader (not shown) connected to image forming apparatus 20 is used instead of the PIN code.

[0133] Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image forming apparatus 20 uses the ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50 to utilize the document processing flow execution system 40 will be described.

[0134] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image forming apparatus 20 uses the ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50 to utilize the document processing flow execution system 40 .

[0135] A user of the image forming device 20 can instruct the image forming device 20 to use the functions of the document processing flow execution system 40 by, for example, pressing a "Workflow" button on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 22 via the operation unit 21.

[0136] When the image forming device 20 is instructed to use the function of the document processing flow execution system 40, it requests the document processing flow execution system 40 to use the function of the document processing flow execution system 40 (S241), as shown in Fig. 17. The image forming device 20 includes the ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50 in S227 (see Fig. 16) in the request in S241.

[0137] Upon receiving the request in S241, the document processing flow execution system 40 inquires of the authentication and authorization system 50 about the validity of the ticket included in the request in S241 (S242).

[0138] When the authentication and authorization system 50 receives the inquiry in S242, it determines the validity of the ticket whose validity was inquired in S242 (S243).

[0139] If the authentication and authorization system 50 determines in S243 that the ticket whose validity was inquired about in S242 is not valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is not valid (S244). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 notifies the image forming device 20 that use of the function requested in S241 is not permitted (S245).

[0140] On the other hand, if the authentication and authorization system 50 determines in S243 that the ticket whose validity was inquired about in S242 is valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is valid (S246). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 executes the function requested in S241 (S247) and notifies the image forming device 20 of the execution result in S247 (S248).

[0141] The above describes the case where the image forming device 20 uses the document processing flow execution system 40 by using a ticket sent from the authentication and authorization system 50, but the same applies to the case where the image forming device 20 uses the authentication and authorization system 50 by using a ticket sent from the authentication and authorization system 50.

[0142] As described above, when a layout is requested from an image forming device (S188 or S228), the setting system 70 sends the layout associated with this image forming device to the image forming device (S189-S190 or S229-S230). Therefore, the administrator of the image forming device can check the operation screen displayed by the image forming device on the setting system 70 without having to check it on the image forming device for each image forming device. As a result, even when a large number of image forming devices are managed by the administrator, the possibility of there being an image forming device that displays an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

[0143] The setting system 70 installs the client application program that requests the layout from the setting system 70 on the image forming device at the reserved timing (YES in S144 and S147), thereby reducing the burden on the administrator of the image forming device to manage the installation status of the client application program on the image forming device.

[0144] The setting system 70 installs the client application program to be reserved only in image forming devices that do not have the client application program installed or that have an older version of the client application program than the client application program to be reserved (S145 to S147), thereby reducing the possibility of downtime occurring in the image forming device due to unnecessary installation.

[0145] In this embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention is an image forming device, but it may be an electronic device other than an image forming device, such as a PC. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 10 Information Processing Systems 20 Image forming equipment (electronic equipment) 27a Client application program (a program for requesting layouts from the configuration system) 70 Setting System 74a Configuration program 74c Client application program (a program for requesting layouts from the configuration system) 74d Layout 80 Operation screen

Claims

1. A setting system for setting an operation screen in an electronic device, storing the layout of the operation screen in association with the electronic device; the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device; A setting system characterized in that, when the layout is requested from the electronic device, the layout associated with this electronic device is transmitted to the electronic device.

2. The setting system described in Claim 1, characterized in that the button is composed of an icon image and a background of the icon image.

3. A setting program for setting an operation screen in an electronic device, storing the layout of the operation screen in association with the electronic device in a computer; the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device; A setting program that causes the computer to transmit the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device when the layout is requested from the electronic device to the computer.

4. The setting program described in Claim 3, characterized in that the button is composed of an icon image and a background of the icon image.

5. An electronic device, a setting system for setting an operation screen of the electronic device; Equipped with the setting system stores the electronic device and the layout of the operation screen in association with each other; the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device; the electronic device requests the layout from the setting system; When the layout is requested by the electronic device, the setting system transmits the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device; The information processing system is characterized in that the electronic device displays the operation screen according to the layout received from the setting system.

6. The information processing system described in Claim 5, characterized in that the button is composed of an icon image and a background of the icon image.

7. A computer for setting an operation screen in an electronic device, storing the layout of the operation screen in association with the electronic device; the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device; A computer that transmits the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device when the layout is requested by the electronic device.

8. The computer described in Claim 7, characterized in that the button is composed of an icon image and a background of the icon image.

Images