Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing program in which reception information received from a user does not remain stored even after the lapse of a valid period during which a destination apparatus can be used.SOLUTION: In an information processing system, a print server 80 as an information processing apparatus comprises a CPU as a processor, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a storage unit. The CPU accepts reception information received from a user and authentication information including a valid period determined for each user who can use an image forming apparatus 40 as a destination apparatus to which the reception information is transmitted, stores the reception information in the RAM, and deletes the reception information from the RAM when the valid period has passed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a print control apparatus that manages print jobs and printers based on instructions from a client terminal. This print control apparatus includes a reception unit that receives a print instruction from the client terminal to the printer and authentication information of the client terminal, and a confirmation unit that confirms the validity of the authentication information with an authentication unit that issues and manages the authentication information. Further, when the authentication information is valid, this print control apparatus includes an execution job management unit that registers the print job as an execution job together with the authentication information, and an update unit that accesses the authentication unit to update the expiration date of the authentication information while the execution job is registered for the registered authentication information.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a printing system having multiple printing devices, which allows printing data stored in one of the printing devices to be printed from the other printing devices. In this printing system, each printing device has a receiving means for receiving printing data transmitted from an information processing device, and a storage means for storing the received printing data. Each printing device also has a registration means for registering bibliographic information of the printing data stored in the storage means, which includes at least identification information for identifying the printing device storing the printing data, and the date and time the printing data was received, with the bibliographic information of the printing data stored in the storage means, with a bibliographic server. Each printing device also has a transmitting means for transmitting printing data stored in the storage means in accordance with a request from another printing device that has acquired bibliographic information managed by the bibliographic server, and an acquisition means for acquiring bibliographic information managed by the bibliographic server. Each printing device also has an operating means for displaying a list of printing data based on the acquired bibliographic information and for accepting the user's selection of printing data from the displayed list. Furthermore, each printing device has a printing means that, based on specific information contained in the bibliographic information of the print data selected as a print target by the operating means, performs printing based on the print data stored in the device's storage means if the print data is stored in the device's storage means. If the print data is stored in another printing device, this printing means requests the other printing device to transmit the print data and performs printing based on the print data transmitted from the other printing device in accordance with the request. Furthermore, each printing device has a setting means for setting an expiration date for the print data. In addition, each printing device has a deletion means that, based on specific information contained in the acquired bibliographic information, deletes the print data stored in the device's storage means based on the reception date and time contained in the bibliographic information of the print data and the expiration date set by the setting means. This deletion means controls the deletion of print data stored in other printing devices so as not to be deleted based on the reception date and time contained in the bibliographic information of the print data and the expiration date set by the setting means.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses an image processing service provider. This image processing service provider includes storage means for temporarily storing image data and control information for the image data in memory along with an expiration date, and transmission means for transmitting the image data and control information to an external service when the expiration date of the temporarily stored image data and control information has expired. Furthermore, this image processing service provider includes acquisition means for acquiring image data and control information from an external service when it receives a processing request for image data. Furthermore, this image processing service provider includes image processing means for processing the image data acquired by the acquisition means in accordance with the processing request and the control information acquired by the acquisition means, and transfer means for transferring the image data processed by the image processing means to an external service. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-033437 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-009062 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-091053 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] There is an information processing device that stores reception information received from a user in a memory unit of the device, transmits the reception information to a destination device, and then deletes the stored reception information from the memory unit after the transmission. Furthermore, the validity period for using the destination device is predetermined for each user. In this case, this information processing device had a problem in that if the reception information was not transmitted to the destination device within the validity period, the reception information would remain stored even after the validity period had expired.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing program that prevent the above-mentioned reception information from remaining stored even after the expiration of the above-mentioned validity period. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the information processing device according to the first embodiment comprises a processor and a storage unit, the processor receives reception information received from a user and authentication information including an effective period determined for each user during which the destination device to which the reception information is transmitted can be used, stores the reception information in the storage unit, and deletes the reception information from the storage unit when the effective period has elapsed.

[0009] Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, when the processor deletes the received information from the storage unit, it transmits the received information to a device other than the information processing apparatus, which is a different device from the destination device.

[0010] Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment, in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the processor inquires with the user whether or not to transmit the reception information to the other device, and if it receives an instruction to transmit the reception information to the other device, it transmits the reception information to the other device, and if it receives an instruction not to transmit the reception information to the other device, it does not transmit the reception information to the other device.

[0011] Furthermore, in the information processing device according to the fourth embodiment, in the information processing device according to any one of the first to third embodiments, the processor does not delete the received information from the storage unit even if the validity period has elapsed, if the user can use the destination device after the validity period has elapsed.

[0012] Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, in the information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, even if the validity period has elapsed, if the user can use the destination device after the validity period has elapsed, and the processor receives an instruction from the user to transmit the received information to another device other than the information processing apparatus, the processor transmits the received information to the other device.

[0013] Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments, if the processor deletes the received information from the storage unit, it stores it in a storage unit other than the storage unit, which has a higher level of security compared to the storage unit.

[0014] Furthermore, in the information processing device according to the seventh embodiment, in the information processing device according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments, the effective period is the period during which the user's entry into the space where the destination device is installed is authenticated.

[0015] Furthermore, the information processing device according to the eighth embodiment is an information processing device according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments, wherein the received information is a print job.

[0016] Furthermore, the information processing system according to the ninth embodiment comprises an information processing device according to any one of the first to eighth embodiments, and a destination device that executes the received information received from the information processing device.

[0017] The information processing program according to the tenth embodiment receives reception information from a user and authentication information that includes an effective period determined for each user during which the destination device to which the reception information is transmitted can be used. The program stores the reception information in a storage unit provided by the information processing device and causes a computer to execute a process that deletes the reception information from the storage unit when the effective period has elapsed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the first aspect and the tenth aspect, even if the expiration date during which the destination device can be used has passed, the received information received from the user is not stored.

[0019] According to the second aspect, even if the received information is deleted from the storage unit, the received information can be executed in another device.

[0020] According to the third aspect, the received information can be transmitted to another device only when the user desires.

[0021] According to the fourth aspect, when the user can use the destination device after the expiration date has passed, the received information can be executed.

[0022] According to the fifth aspect, when the user can use the destination device after the expiration date has passed, the received information can be executed in another device.

[0023] According to the sixth aspect, even when the received information is deleted from the storage unit, the received information can be stored in a storage unit with a higher security level than the said storage unit.

[0024] According to the seventh aspect, even if the period during which the user's entry into the space where the destination device is installed is authenticated has passed, the received information received from the user is not stored.

[0025] According to the eighth aspect, even if the expiration date during which the destination device can be used has passed, the print job received from the user is not stored.

[0026] According to the ninth aspect, even if the expiration date during which the destination device can be used has passed, the received information received from the user is not stored.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]A block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a user terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows an example of the hardware configuration of an authentication terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] This block diagram shows an example of the hardware configuration of a smart lock according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This block diagram shows an example of the hardware configuration of the authentication server according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] This block diagram shows an example of the hardware configuration of a network printing server according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] This block diagram shows an example of the hardware configuration of a print server according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the information processing flow in the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the first transmission screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notification screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the authentication process flow in the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an input screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the non-deletion process in the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a second transmission screen according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, identical or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment includes a user terminal 20, an authentication terminal 30, an image forming apparatus 40, a smart lock 50, an authentication server 60, a network printing server 70, and a printing server 80.

[0030] The image forming apparatus 40, the authentication server 60, and the print server 80 are able to communicate with each other via communication means N1. In this embodiment, communication means N1 is a public communication line such as the Internet or a telephone line. However, it is not limited to this example. For example, communication means N1 may be a corporate communication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network), or a combination of corporate communication lines and public communication lines may be used. Also, in this embodiment, communication means N1 is a wireless communication line. However, communication means N1 may be a wired communication line, or a combination of wired and wireless communication lines may be used.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the smart lock 50 and the authentication terminal 30 are able to communicate with each other via communication means N2, and the smart lock 50 and the authentication server 60 are able to communicate with each other via communication means N3. However, the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the smart lock 50 and the authentication server 60 may be able to communicate with each other via communication means N1. Also, in this embodiment, the user terminal 20 and the print server 80 are able to communicate with each other via communication means N4, and the network print server 70 and the print server 80 are able to communicate with each other via communication means N5. However, the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the user terminal 20 and the print server 80, and the network print server 70 and the print server 80 may both be able to communicate with each other via communication means N4 or communication means N1.

[0032] The user terminal 20 is an information processing terminal owned by the user. In this embodiment, a personal computer is used as the user terminal 20. However, this is not the only example. Any device capable of sending print jobs as reception information (described later) to the print server 80 may be used as the user terminal 20.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the user terminal 20 has the following components: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, an input unit 25, a display unit 26, and a communication interface (I / F) 27. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 29 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0034] The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls various components. Specifically, the CPU 21 reads a program from the ROM 22 and executes the program using the RAM 23 as a working area. The CPU 21 controls each of the above components and performs various calculations according to the program stored in the ROM 22. In this embodiment, the terminal program 22A is stored in the ROM 22.

[0035] ROM22 stores various programs and data. RAM23 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area.

[0036] The input unit 25 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for various types of input.

[0037] The display unit 26 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various information. The display unit 26 may also function as an input unit 25 by employing a touch panel system.

[0038] Communication I / F27 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the print server 80, and standards such as Ethernet®, FDDI, and Wi-Fi® are used.

[0039] The authentication terminal 30 is a terminal that transmits identification information to the smart lock 50, which will be described later, to identify the user. In this embodiment, a smartphone is used as the authentication terminal 30. However, it is not limited to this example. An IC card (integrated circuit card) or the like may also be used as the authentication terminal 30.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the authentication terminal 30 has a CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, and communication interface 37. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 39 so that they can communicate with each other. The functions of the CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, and communication interface 37 are the same as those of the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, and communication interface 27 of the user terminal 20 described above.

[0041] The ROM 32 stores the transmission program 32A. The CPU 31 reads the program from the ROM 32 and executes it using the RAM 33 as the working area.

[0042] Communication I / F37 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the Smart Lock 50, and interfaces such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi® for short-range wireless communication are applied.

[0043] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 40, which serves as the destination device, is installed in a shared space accessible to multiple users. The image forming apparatus 40 receives print jobs, which will be described later, from the print server 80 and executes those print jobs.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the image forming apparatus 40 has a CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, and communication interface 47. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 49 so that they can communicate with each other. The functions of the CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, and communication interface 47 are the same as those of the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, and communication interface 27 of the user terminal 20 described above.

[0045] The ROM 42 stores the executable program 42A. The CPU 41 reads the program from the ROM 42 and executes it using the RAM 43 as the working area.

[0046] The Smart Lock 50 is an electronic lock that unlocks and locks entrances to shared spaces and also has communication capabilities.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the smart lock 50 has a CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, and communication interface 57. Each component is connected to communicate with the others via a bus 59. The functions of the CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, and communication interface 57 are the same as those of the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, and communication interface 27 of the user terminal 20 described above.

[0048] The ROM 52 stores the management program 52A. The CPU 51 reads the program from the ROM 52 and executes it using the RAM 53 as the working area.

[0049] Authentication server 60 is a server for authenticating users.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6, the authentication server 60 has a CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, and communication interface 67. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 69 so that they can communicate with each other. The functions of the CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, and communication interface 67 are the same as those of the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, and communication interface 27 of the user terminal 20 described above.

[0051] The authentication program 62A is stored in ROM62. The CPU61 reads the program from ROM62 and executes it using RAM63 as the working area.

[0052] Furthermore, ROM 62 stores a user database 62B. The user database 62B stores identification information of users permitted to enter the shared space, and the validity period, which is the period during which the image forming apparatus 40 installed in the shared space can be used. The identification information and validity period are determined for each user. In this embodiment, the period during which the image forming apparatus 40 can be used is the same as the period during which the user's entry into the shared space was authenticated. That is, the user database 62B stores identification information of users permitted to enter the shared space, and the period during which the user's entry into the shared space was authenticated. Hereafter, the identification information and validity period will be collectively referred to as authentication information.

[0053] The network printing server 70 is a separate device from the image forming apparatus 40, and is a device other than the print server 80. The network printing server 70 receives reception information from the print server 80.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, the network printing server 70 has a CPU 71, ROM 72, RAM 73, and communication interface 77. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 79 so that they can communicate with each other. The functions of the CPU 71, ROM 72, RAM 73, and communication interface 77 are the same as those of the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, and communication interface 27 of the user terminal 20 described above.

[0055] The ROM 72 stores the network printing program 72A. The CPU 71 reads the program from the ROM 72 and executes it using the RAM 73 as the working area.

[0056] RAM73 stores associated print jobs and authentication information received from the print server 80.

[0057] The print server 80, acting as an information processing device, stores the print job as received information from the user terminal 20, transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 40, and deletes the print job after it has been transmitted.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, the print server 80 has a CPU 81, ROM 82, RAM 83, storage 84, and communication interface 87. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 89 so that they can communicate with each other. The functions of the CPU 81, ROM 82, RAM 83, and communication interface 87 are the same as those of the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, and communication interface 27 of the user terminal 20 described above.

[0059] The ROM 82 stores the information processing program 82A. The CPU 81 reads the program from the ROM 82 and executes it using the RAM 83 as the working area.

[0060] The RAM 83, which functions as a memory unit, stores print jobs as reception information received from the user terminal 20, associated with authentication information.

[0061] Storage 84 is a separate storage unit from RAM 83 and offers a higher level of security compared to RAM 83. Storage 84 stores print jobs deleted from RAM 83, associated with authentication information.

[0062] Next, with reference to Figures 9 to 15, the information processing flow in the information processing system 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0063] The processing at the user terminal 20 is performed by the CPU 21 reading the terminal program 22A from the ROM 22, loading it into the RAM 23, and executing it. The processing at the authentication terminal 30 is performed by the CPU 31 reading the transmission program 32A from the ROM 32, loading it into the RAM 33, and executing it. The processing at the image forming apparatus 40 is performed by the CPU 41 reading the execution program 42A from the ROM 42, loading it into the RAM 43, and executing it. The processing at the smart lock 50 is performed by the CPU 51 reading the management program 52A from the ROM 52, loading it into the RAM 53, and executing it. The processing at the authentication server 60 is performed by the CPU 61 reading the authentication program 62A from the ROM 62, loading it into the RAM 63, and executing it. The processing at the network printing server 70 is performed by the CPU 71 reading the network printing program 72A from the ROM 72, loading it into the RAM 73, and executing it. Furthermore, processing in the print server 80 is performed by the CPU 81 reading the information processing program 82A from the ROM 82, loading it into the RAM 83, and executing it.

[0064] In step S100 of Figure 9, the user terminal 20, authentication terminal 30, image forming apparatus 40, smart lock 50, authentication server 60, network printing server 70, and printing server 80 perform an authentication process to authenticate the user. Details of the authentication process will be described later with reference to Figure 12.

[0065] In step S102, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 receives the print job as reception information and authentication information. Hereinafter, the print job received by the CPU 81 in step S102 will also be simply referred to as the "print job," and the authentication information will also be simply referred to as the "authentication information."

[0066] In step S104, the CPU 81 stores the received print job and authentication information in the RAM 83. Specifically, the CPU 81 stores the print job in the RAM 83 in association with the authentication information.

[0067] In step S106, the CPU 81 sets the validity period included in the authentication information as the period for which the print job is stored in RAM 83.

[0068] In step S108, the CPU 81 determines whether the validity period has expired. If the validity period has expired (step S108: YES), the CPU 81 proceeds to step S116. On the other hand, if the validity period has not expired (step S108: NO), the CPU 81 proceeds to step S110.

[0069] In step S110, the CPU 81 determines whether or not it has received a job execution instruction from the user terminal 20 to execute a print job. If the CPU 81 has received a job execution instruction from the user terminal 20 (step S110: YES), it proceeds to step S112. On the other hand, if the CPU 81 has not received a job execution instruction from the user terminal 20 (step S110: NO), it returns to step S108.

[0070] In step S112, the CPU 81 sends the print job to the image forming apparatus 40 and deletes the print job and the authentication information associated with the print job from the RAM 83.

[0071] In step S114, the CPU 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 executes the print job received from the print server 80. Then, the processing in the information processing system 10 is completed.

[0072] Meanwhile, in step S116, the CPU 81 queries the authentication server 60 to find out whether the validity period has been changed since the user entered the shared space.

[0073] In step S118, the CPU 61 of the authentication server 60 determines whether the validity period has been changed after the user entered the shared space. Specifically, the CPU 61 of the authentication server 60 reads the user database 62B and determines whether the validity period stored in the user database 62B has been changed after receiving identification information from the smart lock 50. If the CPU 61 determines that the validity period has been changed after the user entered the shared space (step S118: YES), it proceeds to step S120. On the other hand, if the CPU 61 determines that the validity period has not been changed after the user entered the shared space (step S118: NO), it proceeds to step S124.

[0074] In step S120, the CPU 61 sends to the print server 80 the validity period that has been changed since the user entered the shared space. In other words, the CPU 61 sends to the print server 80 the validity period that has been changed since the smart lock 50 received the identification information.

[0075] In step S122, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 changes the period for storing the print job to the validity period received in step S120, and returns to step S108.

[0076] In step S124, the CPU 61 of the authentication server 60 sends an elapsed notification to the print server 80 indicating that the validity period has expired. In other words, the CPU 61 notifies the print server 80 that the validity period has not been changed since the user entered the shared space.

[0077] In step S126, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 determines whether the user can use the image forming apparatus 40. In other words, the CPU 81 determines whether there is a validity period after the elapsed validity period. If the user cannot use the image forming apparatus 40 (step S126: NO), the CPU 81 proceeds to step S128.

[0078] In step S128, the CPU 81 asks the user terminal 20 whether or not to send the print job to the network printing server 70.

[0079] In step S130, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 20 displays a first transmission screen on the display unit 26 in accordance with a predetermined format.

[0080] As shown in Figure 10, the first transmission screen according to this embodiment displays a message indicating that the period for storing the print job has elapsed. The first transmission screen according to this embodiment also displays a message prompting the user to select a button 26A labeled "Send" if they want to send the print job to the network printing server 70, or a button 26B labeled "Delete" if they want to delete the print job without sending it to the network printing server 70.

[0081] In step S132, the CPU 21 determines whether or not it has received an instruction to send the print job to the network print server 70. In other words, the CPU 21 determines whether or not it has received an instruction to send the print job to the network print server 70 on the first transmission screen. If the CPU 21 has received an instruction to send the print job to the network print server 70 (step S132: YES), it proceeds to step S134.

[0082] In step S134, the CPU 21 sends a send command to the print server 80 to send the print job to the network print server 70.

[0083] In step S136, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 transmits the print job and authentication information stored in the RAM 83 in step S104 to the network print server 70.

[0084] In step S138, the CPU 71 of the network printing server 70 stores the print job and authentication information received from the print server 80 in the RAM 73.

[0085] In step S140, the CPU 71 issues a Net Print ID, which is an Identification ID for identifying the received print job and for executing the print job.

[0086] In step S142, the CPU 71 sends the issued net print ID to the print server 80.

[0087] In step S144, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 transmits the net print ID received from the net print server 70 to the user terminal 20.

[0088] In step S146, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 20 displays a notification screen on the display unit 26 in accordance with a predetermined format.

[0089] As shown in Figure 11, the notification screen according to this embodiment displays the network printing ID received from the network printing server 70 (12345 in the example shown in Figure 11).

[0090] In step S148, the CPU 21 waits until it receives a print command to execute the print job on the network print server 70. Specifically, the CPU 21 waits until it receives a network print ID from the user via the input unit 25, which is received from the print server 80. Once the CPU 21 receives the print command (step S148: YES), it proceeds to step S150.

[0091] In step S150, the CPU 21 sends the print command received from the user to the print server 80.

[0092] In step S152, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 sends the print command received from the user terminal 20 to the network print server 70.

[0093] In step S154, the CPU 71 of the network printing server 70 executes the process of printing the print job stored in step S138.

[0094] In step S156, the CPU 71 sends a print completion notification to the print server 80 indicating that the print job has been completed.

[0095] In step S158, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 sends a print completion notification to the user terminal 20. Then, the CPU 81 proceeds to step S162.

[0096] On the other hand, if in step S132 the CPU 21 has not received an instruction to send the print job to the network print server 70 (step S132: NO), the process proceeds to step S160.

[0097] In step S160, the CPU 21 sends a delete command to the print server 80 indicating that it will delete the print job.

[0098] In step S162, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 deletes the print job and authentication information stored in RAM 83 in step S104.

[0099] In step S164, the CPU 81 stores the print job and authentication information deleted in step S162 in the storage 84. Then, the processing in the information processing system 10 is completed.

[0100] On the other hand, in step S126, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 proceeds to step S166 if the user has access to the image forming apparatus 40 (step S126: YES). In step S166, the user terminal 20, authentication terminal 30, image forming apparatus 40, smart lock 50, authentication server 60, network printing server 70, and print server 80 perform a non-deletion process that does not delete the print job. Details of the non-deletion process will be described later with reference to Figure 14.

[0101] Next, the authentication process will be explained with reference to Figure 12.

[0102] In step S200 of Figure 12, the CPU 31 of the authentication terminal 30 transmits identification information to the smart lock 50 to identify the user who owns the authentication terminal 30.

[0103] In step S202, the CPU 51 of the smart lock 50 transmits the identification information received from the authentication terminal 30 to the authentication server 60.

[0104] In step S204, the CPU 61 of the authentication server 60 determines whether the user who owns the authentication terminal 30 is allowed to enter the shared space. Specifically, the CPU 61 reads the user database 62B and determines whether the identification information received from the smart lock 50 is stored in the user database 62B and whether the date and time the identification information was received is within the validity period of the identification information. If the CPU 61 determines that the user who owns the authentication terminal 30 is allowed to enter the shared space (step S204: YES), it proceeds to step S210. On the other hand, if the CPU 61 determines that the user who owns the authentication terminal 30 is not allowed to enter the shared space (step S204: NO), it proceeds to step S206.

[0105] In step S206, the CPU 61 sends an entry restriction notice to the smart lock 50, indicating that entry into the shared space is not permitted.

[0106] In step S208, the CPU 51 of the smart lock 50 sends an access denied notification to the authentication terminal 30.

[0107] In step S210, the CPU 61 sends an access permission notification to the smart lock 50, granting permission to enter the shared space.

[0108] In step S212, the CPU 51 of the smart lock 50 performs an unlocking process to unlock the entrance to the shared space.

[0109] In step S214, the CPU 51 waits until a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed. Once the predetermined time has elapsed (step S214), the CPU 51 proceeds to step S216.

[0110] In step S216, the CPU 51 performs a locking process to lock the entrance and exit to the shared space.

[0111] In step S218, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 20 determines whether or not it has received a print job from the user via the input unit 25. If the CPU 21 has not received a print job from the user via the input unit 25 (step S218: NO), it proceeds to step S220. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 has received a print job from the user via the input unit 25 (step S218: YES), it proceeds to step S222.

[0112] In step S220, the CPU 21 terminates information processing.

[0113] In step S222, the CPU 21 displays an input screen on the display unit 26 that conforms to a predetermined format.

[0114] As shown in Figure 13, the input screen according to this embodiment displays a message prompting the user to enter identification information.

[0115] In step S224, the CPU 21 waits until it receives identification information via the input unit 25. Once the CPU 21 receives the identification information, it proceeds to step S226.

[0116] In step S226, the CPU 21 transmits to the print server 80 the print job received in step S218 and the identification information received in step S224.

[0117] In step S228, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 queries the authentication server 60 for the validity period associated with the identification information received in step S226.

[0118] In step S230, the CPU 61 of the authentication server 60 reads the validity period associated with the received identification information from the user database 62B and sends the read validity period to the print server 80.

[0119] Next, the non-deletion process will be explained with reference to Figure 14.

[0120] In step S300 of Figure 14, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 asks the user terminal 20 whether or not to send the print job to the network print server 70.

[0121] In step S302, the CPU 21 of the user terminal 20 displays a second transmission screen on the display unit 26 in accordance with a predetermined format.

[0122] As shown in Figure 15, the second transmission screen according to this embodiment displays a message indicating that the period for storing the print job has elapsed. The second transmission screen according to this embodiment also displays a message prompting the user to select a button 26A labeled "Send" if they want to send the print job to the network print server 70, or a button 26C labeled "Not Sent" if they do not want to send the print job to the network print server 70.

[0123] Here, the process from step S304 to step S330 in Figure 14 is the same as the process from step S132 to step S158 in Figure 11, so the explanation is omitted.

[0124] In step S304, if the CPU 21 of the user terminal 20 has not received an instruction to send the print job to the network print server 70 (step S304: NO), the process proceeds to step S332.

[0125] In step S332, the CPU 21 sends a non-send instruction to the print server 80, indicating that it will not send the print job. Then, processing in the information processing system 10 ends.

[0126] Although embodiments have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention, and such modified or improved forms are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0127] Furthermore, the above embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. The embodiments described above include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations of the multiple constituent elements disclosed. Even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration with these deleted elements can be extracted as an invention, as long as the effect is obtained.

[0128] For example, in this embodiment, a print job was used as the reception information, an image forming apparatus as the destination device, and a print server as the information processing device. However, the system is not limited to this example. For example, the title of a video for which a user has requested to view it may be used as the reception information, a display device that displays the video may be used as the destination device, and a server may be used as the information processing device. In this case, the server receives the title of the video for which a user has requested to view it, and authentication information that includes a validity period determined for each user, during which the user's entry into the space where the display device is installed is authenticated. The server then stores the title in a storage unit and deletes the title from the storage unit when the validity period has elapsed.

[0129] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the CPU 81 of the print server 80 deletes a print job from RAM 83, it determines whether or not to send the print job to the network print server 70 in response to an instruction from the user terminal 20. However, this is not the only example. The CPU 81 may always send the print job to the network print server 70 when deleting a print job from RAM 83. Alternatively, the CPU 81 may not always send the print job to the network print server 70 when deleting a print job from RAM 83.

[0130] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the validity period had expired, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 performed a non-deletion process, which meant not deleting the print job from RAM 83 if the user could use the image forming apparatus 40 after the validity period had expired. However, this is not the only example. Even if the user could use the image forming apparatus 40 after the validity period had expired, the CPU 81 may delete the print job from RAM 83 if the validity period had expired.

[0131] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the CPU 81 of the print server 80 received an instruction from the user terminal 20 to send a print job to the network print server 70 if the user could use the image forming apparatus 40 after the validity period had expired, it sent the print job to the network print server 70. However, this is not the only example. The CPU 81 does not have to send the print job to the network print server 70 if the user can use the image forming apparatus 40 after the validity period has expired, regardless of the instruction from the user terminal 20.

[0132] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the CPU 81 of the print server 80 deleted a print job from RAM 83, it stored the print job in storage 84, a storage unit of the print server 80 that has a higher level of security than RAM 83. However, this is not the only example. When the CPU 81 of the print server 80 deletes a print job from RAM 83, it may store the print job in storage unit of a device other than the print server 80 that has a higher level of security than RAM 83. Alternatively, the CPU 81 of the print server 80 may store the print job in storage 84 only if it does not receive an instruction to send the print job to the network print server 70.

[0133] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0134] Furthermore, the processor operations in each of the above embodiments may not be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of the processor operations is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0135] In this embodiment, the information processing program 82A is described as being installed in ROM 82, but it is not limited to this. The information processing program 82A according to this embodiment may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. For example, the information processing program 82A according to this embodiment may be provided in a form recorded on an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in a form recorded on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or memory card. Furthermore, the information processing program 82A according to this embodiment may be acquired from an external device via a communication I / F 87.

[0136] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case in which the processing in the information processing system 10 is realized by a software configuration using a computer by executing a program, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the processing in the information processing system 10 may also be realized by a hardware configuration or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

[0137] Furthermore, the configurations of the user terminal 20, authentication terminal 30, image forming apparatus 40, smart lock 50, authentication server 60, network printing server 70, and printing server 80 described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted or new parts added without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0138] Furthermore, the processing flow in the information processing system 10 described in the above embodiment (see Figures 9, 12, and 14) is just one example, and it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps added, or the processing order rearranged without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0139] 10 Information Processing Systems 40 Image forming apparatus (transmission destination device) 70. Network printing server (other devices) 80 Print Server (Information Processing Device) 81 CPU (Processor) 83 RAM (memory section)

Claims

1. Equipped with a processor and memory, The aforementioned processor, The system receives reception information from a user, and authentication information including a validity period determined for each user, which is the period during which the user's entry into the space where the destination device for transmitting the reception information is installed is authenticated. The reception information is stored in the storage unit, If the aforementioned validity period has elapsed, the received information will be deleted from the storage unit. Information processing device.

2. When the processor deletes the received information from the storage unit, it transmits the received information to a device other than the destination device, and other than the information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned processor, The user is asked whether or not to transmit the reception information to the other device. If an instruction is received to transmit the reception information to the other device, the reception information will be transmitted to the other device; if an instruction is received not to transmit the reception information to the other device, the reception information will not be transmitted to the other device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. Even if the validity period has elapsed, the processor will not delete the received information from the storage unit if the user can use the destination device after the validity period has elapsed. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Even if the validity period has elapsed, if the user can use the destination device after the validity period has elapsed, the processor will transmit the received information to the other device if the user gives an instruction to transmit the received information to a device other than the information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned processor, If the reception information is deleted from the aforementioned storage unit, it will be stored in a separate storage unit that has a higher level of security compared to the aforementioned storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The aforementioned received information is a print job. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A destination device that executes the received information from the information processing device, An information processing system equipped with [the following features].

9. The system receives reception information from a user, and authentication information including a validity period determined for each user, which is the period during which the user's entry into the space where the destination device for transmitting the reception information is installed is authenticated. The aforementioned reception information is stored in the memory unit of the information processing device. If the aforementioned validity period has elapsed, the received information will be deleted from the storage unit. To have the computer perform the process. Information processing program.

Images