Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide an information processor and a program which allow a manager user to get to know that an unauthorized action was done to the information processor when a maintenance worker did an unauthorized action to the information processor.SOLUTION: The present invention includes a processor for acquiring information on items of a maintenance work applied for by a maintenance worker and notifying, by a predetermined method, a management user of the fact that an action other than actions corresponding to the items of the maintenance work applied for was made, with reference to information in which the acquired items of the maintenance work and the content of work which is done for the maintenance work are related to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an unauthorized access detection system that compares a log predicted from the work application content with the actual log for access to a business system to detect whether there is unauthorized access.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a maintenance worker performs maintenance work on an information processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral, the administrator user may check and approve the content of the maintenance work previously applied for by the maintenance worker, and then allow the maintenance worker to perform the maintenance work.

[0005] However, even if the maintenance worker performs unauthorized work that has not been applied for on the information processing apparatus after the administrator user has approved the maintenance work for the maintenance worker, the administrator user cannot grasp that unauthorized work has been performed.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program that can cause an administrator user to grasp that unauthorized work has been performed when a maintenance worker performs unauthorized work that has not been applied for on the information processing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The information processing device in the first embodiment includes a processor, which acquires information on maintenance work items requested by a maintenance worker, and, by referring to information that associates the acquired maintenance work items with the operations performed during the maintenance work, notifies the administrator user in a predetermined manner if an operation other than the operation corresponding to the requested maintenance work item is performed.

[0008] In the second embodiment of the information processing apparatus, the processor in the first embodiment prohibits operations other than those corresponding to the requested maintenance work items when an operation other than the operation corresponding to the requested maintenance work items is performed.

[0009] In the third embodiment of the information processing device, the processor in the second embodiment prohibits all operations on the device if an operation other than the operation corresponding to the requested maintenance work item is performed.

[0010] The fourth aspect of the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the processor acquires information from an external device that associates maintenance work items with the operations performed during maintenance work, and the information that associates maintenance work items with the operations performed during maintenance work is information that has been updated by the external device based on information of operations actually performed by the device or other information processing apparatus for each item of maintenance work.

[0011] The information processing device of the fifth embodiment is an information processing device of the fourth embodiment in which the items of maintenance work and the operations performed during maintenance work are associated with each item of maintenance work, and the information is updated in an external device to include the operations performed by multiple information processing devices for each item of maintenance work when the same operations are performed by multiple information processing devices for each item of maintenance work.

[0012] In the sixth aspect of the information processing device, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the information processing device, the information relating maintenance work items to the operations performed during maintenance work is editable by the maintenance worker with the approval of the administrator user.

[0013] The program of the seventh aspect causes the computer to perform the following steps: acquire information on maintenance work items requested by a maintenance worker; refer to information that associates the acquired maintenance work items with the operations performed during the maintenance work, and notify the administrator user in a predetermined manner if an operation other than the operation corresponding to the requested maintenance work item is performed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the first embodiment of the information processing device, if an unauthorized operation is performed on the information processing device by a maintenance worker that has not been requested, the administrator user can be made aware that an unauthorized operation has been performed.

[0015] According to the information processing device of the second embodiment, only operations requested by the maintenance worker can be performed.

[0016] According to the third embodiment of the information processing device, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the information processing device.

[0017] According to the information processing device of the fourth embodiment, the information relating maintenance work items to the operations performed during maintenance work can be made to reflect the actual operations performed by the information processing device.

[0018] According to the information processing device of the fifth embodiment, the information relating maintenance work items to the operations performed during maintenance work can be information that includes operations performed similarly on multiple information processing devices.

[0019] According to the information processing device of the sixth embodiment, operation information can be made that corresponds to the actual operations performed by the maintenance worker for each item of the maintenance work.

[0020] According to the program of the seventh aspect, when an unauthorized operation that has not been applied for by a maintenance worker is performed on the information processing apparatus, the administrator user can be made aware that the unauthorized operation has been performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of a work procedure management table managed in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of an operation log acquired in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing an example of an operation log when toner replacement is normally performed. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of an operation log acquired in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing an example of an operation log when an unauthorized operation is performed during toner replacement. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of an operation log table acquired in a data center. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a work procedure management table managed in a data center. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow when maintenance work is being performed by a maintenance worker on an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of an image forming system according to one embodiment.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming system of this embodiment consists of an image forming apparatus 10, a terminal device 20, and a data center 30, all interconnected by a network 40.

[0024] The terminal device 20 generates print data and transmits the generated print data to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network 40. The terminal device 20 also transmits information about the maintenance work items requested by the maintenance worker of the image forming apparatus 10 to the image forming apparatus 10 based on instructions input from the administrator user.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 10 receives print data transmitted from the terminal device 20 and outputs an image on paper corresponding to the print data. The image forming apparatus 10 is a so-called multifunction device that has multiple functions such as printing, scanning, copying, and facsimile. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 approves or revokes maintenance work to the maintenance worker of the image forming apparatus 10 based on instructions for approval or revocation of maintenance work received from the terminal device 20. The image forming apparatus 10 is an example of an information processing device in the technology of the present invention.

[0026] The data center 30 is a server that manages a work procedure management table, which contains information that associates maintenance work items with the operations performed during maintenance work. The data center 30 is an example of an external device in the technology of the present invention.

[0027] Next, Figure 2 shows the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in the data processing system of this embodiment.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (IF) 14, a user interface (UI) device 15 including a touch panel or liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a scanner 16, and a print engine 17. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 18.

[0029] The communication interface 14 transmits and receives data to and from external devices via the network 40. The user interface 15 receives instruction input from the user. The scanner 16 reads the original document loaded into the image forming apparatus 10 as image data. The print engine 17 prints the image onto a recording medium such as printing paper through processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing.

[0030] The CPU 11 is a processor that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 by executing predetermined processes based on a control program stored in the RAM 12 or storage device 13. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 is described as reading and executing a control program stored in the RAM 12 or storage device 13, but it is not limited to this. This control program may be provided in the form of a computer-readable recording medium. For example, this program may be provided in the form of a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM recorded on an optical disc, or in the form of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or memory card recorded on a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, this control program may be obtained from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication interface 14.

[0031] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 realized by the execution of the control program described above.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes an authentication unit 51, an operation input unit 52, a display unit 53, a data transmission / reception unit 54, a control unit 55, a storage unit 56, an image reading unit 57, and an image output unit 58.

[0033] The authentication unit 51 performs authentication processing for users who intend to use the image forming apparatus 10. The operation input unit 52 inputs information on various operations performed by the user. The display unit 53 is controlled by the control unit 55 and displays various information to the user. The data transmission / reception unit 54 transmits and receives data with external devices such as the terminal device 20.

[0034] The control unit 55 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10, and based on user input, it controls the image reading unit 57 to read the original image, the image output unit 58 to output print data, and so on.

[0035] The memory unit 56 stores data such as the control program, a work procedure management table that manages information on the work procedures for each type of maintenance work, and an operation log that contains operation history information. The work procedure management table and the operation log will be described in detail later. The memory unit 56 is an example of memory in the technology of the present invention.

[0036] The image reading unit 57 reads the original image from the loaded original based on the control unit 55. The image output unit 58 outputs the image onto a recording medium such as printing paper based on the control unit 55.

[0037] In the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, when a maintenance worker performs maintenance work on their own apparatus, they submit a request for the maintenance work items to the administrator user in advance, and perform the maintenance work only after obtaining approval from the administrator user.

[0038] The control unit 55 acquires information on the maintenance work items requested by the maintenance worker, and, referring to the information that associates the acquired maintenance work items with the operations performed during the maintenance work, notifies the administrator user in a predetermined manner if an operation other than the operation corresponding to the requested maintenance work item is performed.

[0039] The processing in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described in detail below. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a work procedure management table managed in the image forming apparatus 10.

[0040] In the image forming apparatus 10, a work procedure management table, as shown in Figure 4, is pre-stored in the storage unit 56. In the work procedure management table, information such as "work procedure" and "update data item" is managed for each maintenance work item.

[0041] A "work procedure" is information that manages the operations performed in each item of maintenance work, arranged in the order of operation. Note that in the work procedure management table in Figure 4, operations from the fourth onwards are omitted. For example, in toner replacement maintenance work, the first step is to install a new toner, the second is to make a copy to check if printing can be done properly, and the third is to print a correction chart for image quality correction. Here, toner replacement refers to replacing the toner cartridge that has toner loaded into it.

[0042] Furthermore, during drum replacement maintenance, the first new drum is installed, and then operation X is performed to check the condition of the second new drum. Here, drum replacement refers to the replacement of the drum cartridge containing the photoreceptor drum.

[0043] Furthermore, in image quality adjustment maintenance work, the first step is printing a correction chart, and the second step is performing image quality correction based on the correction chart.

[0044] "Update data items" are data items of system data whose content is updated by each operation during maintenance work, and are managed in association with each operation. Here, system data includes not only data related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, such as programs and setting parameters, but also resource data related to consumables such as toner, drums, and paper. Note that in the work procedure management table in Figure 4, system data from the fourth item onward is omitted.

[0045] For example, during toner replacement maintenance, when a new toner cartridge is installed as the first operation, the toner data is updated in the image forming apparatus 10. Here, toner data includes, for example, the serial number of the toner cartridge and the remaining toner amount. When a copy is made as the second operation, no system data is updated. Also, when a correction chart is printed as the third operation, no system data is updated.

[0046] Furthermore, during drum replacement maintenance, when the first operation involves installing a new drum, the drum data is updated in the image forming apparatus 10. Here, drum data refers to data such as the serial number and usage time of the drum cartridge. When the second operation, operation X, is performed, system data A is updated.

[0047] Furthermore, during image quality adjustment maintenance, when the first operation is printing a correction chart, no system data is updated. When the second operation is image quality correction, system data B is updated.

[0048] When a maintenance worker performs maintenance work on the image forming apparatus 10, they submit a request for the maintenance work and receive approval from the administrator user of the image forming apparatus 10. The administrator user transmits information about the requested maintenance work to the image forming apparatus 10 via the terminal device 20. Subsequently, when the maintenance worker performs maintenance work on the image forming apparatus 10, they log in to the image forming apparatus 10.

[0049] The control unit 55 starts recording operation logs from the moment the administrator user logs in and stores the operation logs in the storage unit 56. As shown in Figure 5, the operation log is information that records the operations performed by maintenance workers and the changes made to system data in chronological order.

[0050] The control unit 55 refers to the information on maintenance work items obtained from the administrator user via the terminal device 20 and the work procedure management table, and determines whether the operation performed by the maintenance worker matches the requested maintenance work item.

[0051] For example, if toner replacement is requested as a maintenance task, as shown in Figure 4, the toner replacement procedure involves, first, installing a new toner cartridge, second, making a copy, and third, printing a correction chart. The control unit 55 determines whether each operation performed by the maintenance worker corresponds to toner replacement.

[0052] Figure 5 shows an example of an operation log acquired by the image forming apparatus 10, specifically an example of an operation log when toner replacement is performed successfully. This operation log shows that toner installation, copying, and printing of the correction chart were performed in that order, and then the logout occurred.

[0053] In this manner, if the maintenance work is performed correctly, the control unit 55 will terminate the process without issuing any notification of any malfunction.

[0054] Figure 6 shows an example of an operation log acquired by the image forming apparatus 10, and is an example of an operation log when an improper operation is performed during toner replacement. In this operation log, after toner installation and copying, a reference to system data C is made as an operation not listed in the work procedure management table.

[0055] In this case, the control unit 55 notifies the administrator user in a predetermined manner when the system data C is accessed. Here, "notification in a predetermined manner" is not particularly limited and can take various forms. For example, an email indicating that an unauthorized operation has been performed may be sent to the administrator user, or a display or warning sound may be emitted on the terminal device 20 used by the administrator user indicating that an unauthorized operation has been performed.

[0056] Furthermore, regarding the determination of whether the requested maintenance work items match the corresponding operations, as described above, the determination may be made based solely on the operations, or it may also include the content of the system data updated by the operations. For example, when toner is installed, the toner data is updated, but if the updated toner data does not show a toner level of 100%, it may be considered that new toner has not been installed, and the operation may be determined to be incorrect.

[0057] Furthermore, the control unit 55 may be configured to prohibit operations other than those corresponding to the requested maintenance work items if such operations are performed.

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit 55 may be configured to prohibit all operations on its own device if any operation other than the operation corresponding to the requested maintenance work is performed.

[0059] Furthermore, prohibiting specific operations in the control unit 55 means, at a minimum, allowing the execution of software-based operations performed during maintenance work. For example, hardware operations such as toner and drum installation may or may not be managed by the control unit 55.

[0060] When the control unit 55 manages the operation of the hardware, for example, a key that can be unlocked and locked by software may be provided on the housing of the image forming apparatus 10. This allows the control unit 55 to unlock the key when operation is not prohibited, enabling maintenance personnel to physically operate the hardware inside the image forming apparatus 10. Conversely, the control unit 55 can lock the key when operation is prohibited, preventing maintenance personnel from physically operating the hardware inside the image forming apparatus 10.

[0061] Furthermore, the control unit 55 may obtain the work procedure management table from an external device, such as a data center 30, rather than storing it in its own device beforehand. In this case, the work procedure management table may be updated at the data center 30 based on information about operations actually performed in the device or other image forming apparatus for each item of maintenance work.

[0062] Furthermore, the work procedure management table may be updated in the data center 30 to include information that includes the same operation performed by multiple image forming machines for each item of maintenance work, in cases where the same operation is performed by multiple image forming machines for each item of maintenance work.

[0063] The update of the work procedure management table in data center 30 is performed as follows, as an example. Figure 7 shows an example of an operation log table acquired in data center 30. Figure 8 shows an example of a work procedure management table managed in data center 30.

[0064] Here, we will explain the drum replacement item as an example. In the work procedure management table, let's assume that the first operation is drum installation and the second operation is operation X, as shown in Figure 4.

[0065] The data center 30 acquires operation logs during maintenance work not only from the image forming apparatus 10 but also from other image forming apparatuses connected to the network 40. As shown in Figure 7, the data center 30 arranges the contents of the operation logs in the same format as the work procedure management table and records them as an operation log table, associated with the apparatus ID which indicates the individual information of the image forming apparatus.

[0066] The data center 30 refers to the operation log table and updates the work procedure management table to include the same operation if the same operation is performed on multiple image forming machines for each item of maintenance work.

[0067] For example, as shown in item LD in Figure 7, in three different image forming apparatuses, when changing drums, the first operation is drum installation, the second operation is operation X, and the third operation is correction chart printing.

[0068] In this manner, when the same operation is performed on multiple image forming apparatuses, the data center 30 adds the contents of the correction chart print to the third column CM of the "Work Procedure" and "Update Data Item" in the drum replacement item of the work procedure management table, as shown in item LD in Figure 8.

[0069] Furthermore, the conditions for updating the work procedure management table are not limited to cases where the same operation is performed on more than a predetermined number of image forming machines, but may also include cases where the same operation is performed on a single image forming machine more than a predetermined number of times.

[0070] Furthermore, the work procedure management table may contain information that can be edited by maintenance workers with the approval of the administrator user.

[0071] Next, the processing flow when maintenance work is being performed by a maintenance worker in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 9.

[0072] In step S11, the control unit 55 obtains information on the maintenance work items requested by the maintenance worker of the image forming apparatus 10 from the administrator user via the terminal device 20.

[0073] Next, in step S12, when the control unit 55 detects a login from a maintenance worker approved by the administrator user, it starts recording an operation log in step S13.

[0074] Next, in step S14, the control unit 55 determines whether the operation performed by the maintenance worker on the image forming apparatus 10 is an operation that has been requested. Here, "operations that have been requested" includes not only the operations indicated in the maintenance work item information obtained from the administrator user, but also operations that are normally performed during maintenance work, such as restarting the image forming apparatus 10, turning the power on, turning the power off, logging in, and logging out.

[0075] In step S14, if it is determined that the operation performed by the maintenance worker is the requested operation, the control unit 55 will determine in step S15 whether the operation determined in step S14 is a logout or not.

[0076] In step S15, if it is determined that the operation determined in step S14 is not a logout, the control unit 55 returns to step S14 and thereafter repeats steps S14 and S15 for each operation until the maintenance worker logs out.

[0077] In step S15, if the operation determined in step S14 is determined to be a logout, the control unit 55 stops recording the operation log in step S16, performs the logout process for maintenance work in step S17, and terminates the process.

[0078] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S14 that the operation performed by the maintenance worker is not the operation that was requested, the control unit 55 will notify the administrator user in step S18.

[0079] Furthermore, in step S19, the control unit 55 prohibits all operations on its own device and terminates the process.

[0080] [Differentiation] Although an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.

[0081] In each of the embodiments described above, 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.).

[0082] 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.

[0083] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described the application of the present invention to an image forming apparatus, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various information processing devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10 Image forming apparatus 11 CPU 12 RAM 13 Storage device 14. Communication Interface 15. User Interface Device 16 Scanners 17 Print Engine 18 Control bus 20 Terminal devices 30 data centers 40 Networks 51 Certification Department 52 Operation Input Section 53 Display section 54 Data transmission / reception unit 55 Control Unit 56 Memory section 57 Image reading unit 58 Image output section

Claims

1. Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, We obtain information on the maintenance work items requested by the maintenance worker. Information linking the acquired maintenance work items to the operations performed during the maintenance work is obtained from an external device and referenced. If an operation other than the operation corresponding to the requested maintenance work item is performed, the administrator user is notified in a predetermined manner. The information that associates maintenance work items with the operations performed during maintenance work is updated in an external device to include the operations performed on multiple information processing devices for each maintenance work item, in cases where the same operations are performed on multiple information processing devices for each maintenance work item. Information processing device.

2. Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, We obtain information on the maintenance work items requested by the maintenance worker. By referring to information that associates the acquired maintenance work items with the operations performed during the maintenance work, if an operation other than the operation corresponding to the requested maintenance work item is performed, the administrator user will be notified in a predetermined manner. The information linking maintenance tasks to the operations performed during those tasks is editable by maintenance workers after approval by the administrator user. Information processing device.

3. The aforementioned processor, If an operation other than the one corresponding to the requested maintenance work is performed, then operations other than the one corresponding to the requested maintenance work will be prohibited. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned processor, If any operation other than the maintenance work items and corresponding operations are performed, all operations on the device will be prohibited. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. Steps to obtain information on the maintenance work items requested by maintenance workers, The computer performs the following steps: obtain information from an external device that associates the acquired maintenance work items with the operations performed during the maintenance work, refer to this information, and if an operation other than the operation corresponding to the requested maintenance work item is performed, notify the administrator user in a predetermined manner; The information that associates maintenance work items with the operations performed during maintenance work is updated in an external device to include the operations performed on multiple information processing devices for each maintenance work item, in cases where the same operations are performed on multiple information processing devices for each maintenance work item. program.

6. Steps to obtain information on the maintenance work items requested by maintenance workers, The computer is instructed to perform the following steps: refer to the information that associates the acquired maintenance work items with the operations performed during the maintenance work, and if an operation other than the operation corresponding to the requested maintenance work item is performed, notify the administrator user in a predetermined manner; The information linking maintenance tasks to the operations performed during those tasks is editable by maintenance workers after approval by the administrator user. program.

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