JP6003967B2 - Service processing apparatus and service processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a service processing apparatus and a service processing program.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a service processing apparatus that provides a service and charges the service user for the service. The service processing unit provides the service provided to the user, and the service user possesses the service processing unit. Non-contact medium read / write means for performing read / write operations on the non-contact medium to be performed, charge calculation means for calculating information related to a charge when a service is provided to a user, the amount charged on the non-contact medium, and the charge A service processing apparatus is provided, comprising: service activation control means for controlling the activation of the service by the service execution means after confirming information on the charge calculated by the calculation means.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming system including an image forming unit capable of executing a plurality of applications, and a reading unit that reads an ID code from a recording medium on which an ID code for using the image forming unit is recorded. Storage means for storing the ID code read by the reading means, identification means for identifying whether or not the image forming means can be used for each ID code stored in the storage means, and storage in the storage means And restricting means for restricting use of the application of the image forming means for each ID code, and by the identifying means for the first ID code for the first medium stored in the storage means As a result of identification and use restriction of the application by the restriction means, execution of the application is permitted, and the application When the second recording medium is read by the reading means while the service process is continued, the application based on the first ID code is continued, and the first application is executed as the application is executed. The number of executions of the application associated with the ID code is increased, the second ID code recorded on the second recording medium is received and stored in the storage means, and the second ID code The image forming system is characterized in that the identification means and the restriction means determine whether or not the application designated to be executed can be executed.

JP 2007-47853 A Japanese Patent No. 4027383

  The present invention provides a service that does not require user authentication even if user authentication is not performed first when execution of service processing that requires user authentication and execution of service processing that does not require user authentication are instructed. An object is to provide a service processing apparatus and a service processing program capable of executing processing.

In order to achieve the above object, a service processing apparatus according to claim 1 is a first service process that requires user authentication, and a second service process that does not require user authentication; A plurality of service processing means for sequentially executing each of the plurality of service processes based on an instruction in which the plurality of service processes are described in the order of execution; and the first that requires authentication of the user An authentication unit that authenticates a user who uses the service process; a reception unit that receives an instruction to execute the plurality of service processes according to the instruction for one document data; and the instruction is received by the reception unit is, and is not authenticated with respect to the first service processing that require authentication of the user by the authentication means, and, in the instructions, as the execution order, the When the second service process waiting for execution is positioned next to the first service process that has not been authenticated by the authentication means, the first service process that has not been authenticated is not executed, Control means for controlling the plurality of service processing means so as to execute the second service processing waiting for execution.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control means executes the first service process when the user is authenticated by the authentication means before the first service process is executed. as controls the service processing means for executing the first service processing, that is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of types of instructions are prepared, and the control unit is configured to perform the first service processing as the service processing in which the user is authenticated by the authentication unit and is waiting to be executed. When at least one of the second service process exists, the user information related to the user authenticated by the authentication unit is associated with the service process waiting for execution, or the use process is performed. A second process for executing the plurality of service processes according to the instructions selected by the user, or a process other than the first process and the second process, and a service-related process. or performs certain third process, is allowed to select the user, there is a.

The service processing program of the invention described in claim 4 functions as a plurality of service processing means, authentication means, and control means included in the service processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. It is service processing program for, and.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first service in which a plurality of service processes require user authentication as compared with the case where the execution of the service process is not accepted unless the user is authenticated. And a second service process that does not require user authentication, and even if the user is not authenticated, only the second service process can be executed. Have.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the user authentication period can be extended as compared with the case where the execution of the service process is not accepted unless the user is authenticated.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, which service process is associated with the user information even when there is a service process waiting for execution when the user is authenticated as compared with the case where there is no selection means. There is an effect that the user can select.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first service requires a plurality of service processes to require user authentication as compared to the case where the execution of the service process is not accepted unless the user is authenticated. And a second service process that does not require user authentication, and even if the user is not authenticated, only the second service process can be executed. Have.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of an instruction document. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of authentication processing. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of an instruction form execution process. It is a figure which shows an example of service process execution information. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of a post-authentication process.

  (First embodiment)

  The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the present embodiment, as a service process provided to the user, for example, a scan process for reading an original to acquire image data, a copy process for printing the read original, a process for transmitting the read original by facsimile, and sending the read original by e-mail A case will be described in which the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus having a function of executing a plurality of service processes, such as a process to perform a process.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, each part in the apparatus 100 will be described.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 is a central controller that comprehensively controls the operation in the apparatus 100, and controls programs under an execution environment provided by the operating system, such as copying, facsimile transmission / reception, and network printing. Main control of various service processing. The CPU 101 is interconnected with each device in the apparatus 100 via the bus 102.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 is composed of a read-only semiconductor memory device, and each control program for executing service processing such as network printing, fixed data, and the like are permanently written therein. Of course, the ROM 103 can also be configured using a device that can electrically rewrite stored data, such as a flash memory, and a program or fixed data may be updated as necessary.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 is composed of a semiconductor memory device that can rewrite data, and loads a control program to be executed by the CPU 101 from the ROM 102 or temporarily stores work data during the program execution. Used as system memory for A RAM 104 is used as a page memory for image processing.

  NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 105 is composed of a memory that does not lose its stored contents even in a non-powered state, such as a flash memory, and is composed of a memory that can be rewritten. Used to store parameters, various histories during service processing, etc.

  The HDD 106 is a large-capacity external storage device composed of a magnetic recording type fixed disk. The HDD 106 accumulates image data read from a document, stores various histories when a service process is executed, and is executed by the CPU 101. Used to install the program.

  The image processing unit 107 performs various kinds of image processing such as expansion / compression processing and image quality adjustment on image data read from a document or image data downloaded via a network.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes, as a user interface 109, a display unit 110 configured with a liquid crystal display or the like and a hardware key such as a start / stop / ten key (or a touch panel that also serves as the display unit 110). ) An operation unit 111 is provided, and these are connected to the bus 102 via the UI interface 108. However, the CPU 101 may be configured to directly control the user interface 109 without using the UI interface 108.

  Various external devices and network interfaces are connected to the bus 102 via the communication interface 112.

  The LAN interface 113 connects the image forming apparatus 100 to the network according to a predetermined protocol such as 10/1000 Base-T. A wireless LAN may be included.

  The image forming apparatus 100 connects to an external network such as the Internet through a LAN and accesses a desired information resource. In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 can perform various types of operations such as copying, facsimile transmission / reception, content search and other content processing, and network printing from a personal computer (PC) or a portable terminal (none of which is shown) used by the user. Receives the instruction data in which the contents of the service processing are defined, and executes the service according to the instructions. In some cases, the instruction data in which the contents of a plurality of predetermined service processes are determined are stored in advance in the HDD 106 and the instruction data selected by the user from the stored instruction data is executed. Further, the user may instruct a plurality of service processes, and the instructed plurality of service processes may be executed collectively.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with an IC card read / write device 131 for performing non-contact / short-range communication with the IC card 130 and is connected to the bus 102 via the RS232C or other serial interface 114. ing.

  Between the IC card 130 and the IC card read / write device 131, non-contact / short distance while maintaining high tamper resistance through a predetermined mutual authentication process on a transmission path by a method such as electromagnetic coupling, electromagnetic induction, or radio wave communication. Communicate. However, since the mechanism of non-contact communication using the IC card 130 is not directly related to the gist of the present invention, it will not be further described here. In addition, the communication between the IC card 130 and the IC card read / write device 131 is not limited to non-contact / short-distance communication, and the IC card read / write device 131 is provided with an IC card 130 insertion slot. It may be configured to perform wired communication with the IC card read / write device 131 by setting.

  In the present embodiment, the IC card 130 stores in advance information related to the user of the image forming apparatus 100, for example, information such as a user ID that is an identification code for specifying the user. As will be described in detail later, the user authenticates the user for the service processing that requires user authentication by holding the IC card 130 over the IC card read / write device 131 of the image forming apparatus 100 for user authentication. The desired service process that requires the service is executed.

  A USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 115 conforms to, for example, USB 1.1 or USB 2.0, and is used when locally connected to a personal computer or the like.

  The modem 116 is a modem that performs mutual conversion between signals on the computer and signals on the public line. The modem 116 connects to a public line such as a facsimile, and performs normal facsimile transmission / reception, time designation transmission, and other various facsimiles. Provide functionality.

  The device interface 118 is configured by, for example, RS422, and implements an interface protocol for connecting various devices constituting the image forming apparatus 100 to the bus 102.

  Examples of the devices constituting the image forming apparatus 100 include a reading unit 119 that reads an image from a document, and a printing unit 120 that prints and outputs an image on a sheet.

  The reading device unit 119 is generally configured by a combination of a platen on which a document is placed and a scanner that reads an image, and may be an automatic document reading device. The scanned image is subjected to image processing in the image processing unit 107 as necessary, and is output to the printing apparatus unit 120 or stored in the HDD 106.

  The printing apparatus unit 120 includes, for example, an electrophotographic print engine unit. The electrophotographic process includes a plurality of processes such as charging of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, exposure of a scanned original image, development, that is, toner superimposition on an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member, toner transfer to a sheet and toner fixing, and cleaning of the photosensitive member. Includes subprocesses. However, the configuration of the print engine itself is not directly related to the gist of the present invention and will not be described further here. The sheet printed by the printing apparatus unit 120 is discharged to the discharge sheet storage unit 121.

  A user of the image forming apparatus 100 can receive a service for executing an instruction for instructing execution of a plurality of service processes for one document data. In the present embodiment, service processing is processing performed on document data, and includes, for example, print processing, facsimile transmission processing, mail transmission processing, scanning processing, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

  These service processes include two types of service processes: a first service process that requires user authentication and a second service process that does not require user authentication.

  In order for the user to cause the image forming apparatus 100 to execute the first service process, it is necessary to perform user authentication prior to the execution of the service process. As a method of user authentication, as described above, there is a method of using the IC card 130 in which the user ID is recorded. In this case, for example, a list of user IDs permitted to be used is recorded in advance in the HDD 106 of the image forming apparatus 100. When the IC card 130 on which the user ID is recorded is read by the IC card read / write device 131, the read user ID is checked against the list stored in the HDD 106, and there is a user ID that matches the list. If so, authentication is assumed to be successful.

  Further, the user may be authenticated by directly inputting a user ID by operating the operation unit 111, or may be authenticated by inputting not only the user ID but also a password.

  Note that user authentication is not required for the user to cause the image forming apparatus 100 to execute the second service process.

  The instruction sheet is composed of, for example, an XML format file. FIG. 2 shows an example of the instruction sheet. An instruction sheet 140 shown in the figure is an instruction sheet for causing the image forming apparatus 100 to sequentially execute print processing, facsimile transmission processing, and mail transmission processing on predetermined document data.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the contents of the printing process are defined by parameters (such as output resolution) described between a start tag <print> and an end tag </ print> for instructing the printing process. .

  Similarly, the contents of the facsimile transmission process are defined by parameters (transmission destination FAX number, etc.) described between a start tag <faxsnd> and an end tag </ faxsnd> for instructing the facsimile transmission process.

  The mail transmission process is defined by parameters (such as a destination mail address) described between a start tag <mailsnd> and an end tag </ mailsnd> for instructing the mail transmission process.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the facsimile transmission process and the mail transmission process are a first service process that requires user authentication, and the print process is a second service process that does not require user authentication.

  As a form for executing the instruction, for example, a plurality of kinds of instructions describing a plurality of predetermined service processes are prepared and stored in the HDD 106 of the image forming apparatus 100, and a desired instruction is given to the user from among them. There are a mode in which a document is selected and executed, and a mode in which instruction data is transmitted from a terminal device such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via the LAN interface 113 to the image forming apparatus 100 for execution. However, it is not limited to this.

  As described above, service processing includes two types of service processing: a first service processing that requires user authentication and a second service processing that does not require user authentication. Since there are cases where a plurality of service processes are instructed, the execution of the first service process and the execution of the second service process may be instructed together.

In the present embodiment, as in the instruction sheet 140 shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile transmission process and the mail transmission process, which are the first service processes that require user authentication, and the second service process that does not require user authentication. A process when the execution of a certain print process is instructed will be described.

  First, user authentication processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This processing is actually realized in a form in which the CPU 101 in the image forming apparatus 100 loads a predetermined control program stored in, for example, the ROM 103 or the HDD 106 onto the RAM 104 and executes it.

  The user authentication process shown in FIG. 3 is performed when the user holds the IC card 130 on which the user ID is recorded over the IC card read / write device 131 or when the user operates the operation unit 111 to perform user authentication. It is executed when instructed. This process is executed in parallel even when the image forming apparatus 100 is executing various service processes such as a print process.

  First, in step 200, a user ID is input. That is, when the IC card 130 is held over the IC card read / write device 131, the user ID is read from the IC card 130, and the user input from the operation unit 111 when the user instructs user authentication. Enter your ID.

  In step 202, the input user ID is checked against a user ID list that is a list of user IDs permitted to be stored in advance in the HDD 106.

  In step 204, it is determined whether or not the input user ID matches the user ID in the user ID list. If they match, that is, if the use is permitted, the process proceeds to step 206, where the match If not, that is, if the use is denied, the process proceeds to step 208.

  In step 206, the user ID is associated with information such as the login time and stored in the HDD 106 as login information, and this routine is terminated.

  In step 208, for example, a message indicating that the use has been refused is displayed on the display unit 110 to warn the user, and the routine is terminated.

  Next, a case where the user operates the operation unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 100 to select the instruction sheet 140 shown in FIG. 2 from a plurality of kinds of instruction sheets stored in advance in the HDD 106 and instruct execution thereof. To do. When the user selects an instruction, the process shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

  First, in step 300, the instruction sheet 140 selected by the user is read from the HDD 106, and the contents of the instruction sheet are interpreted.

  In step 302, service processing execution information 150 as shown in FIG. 5, for example, is generated based on the interpretation result of the read instruction. As shown in the figure, the service processing execution information 150 includes the file name of the instruction, the type of service processing described in the instruction, the document name of the document processed by the instruction, the user ID, and the execution It includes executed information indicating whether or not it has been completed, but the type of information is not limited thereto. The executed information is “not yet” when the corresponding service process has not been executed, and “completed” when the execution has been completed. The generated service processing execution information 150 is stored in the HDD 106, for example.

  In step 304, it is determined whether or not the service process first described in the instruction sheet is a service process that does not require user authentication, that is, a second service process. If the service process first described in the instruction is the second service process, the process proceeds to step 306. If the service process is not the second service process, that is, if it is the first service process, Control goes to step 312.

  In the present embodiment, the first instruction to be executed in the instruction sheet 140 shown in FIG.

  In step 306, service processing is executed. That is, the image processing unit 107, the printing apparatus unit 120, and the like are controlled so that the print process is executed.

  In step 308, the service process execution information 150 relating to the executed service process is updated. That is, here, the print processing execution information in the service processing execution information 150 is rewritten to “completed”.

  In step 310, it is determined whether or not all service processes described in the instructions have been executed. If all service processes have been executed, this routine is terminated, and there are service processes that have not been executed yet. If yes, return to Step 304.

  In step 304, it is determined again whether the next service process described in the instruction is a service process that does not require user authentication. In this embodiment, the second instruction to be executed in the instruction sheet 140 shown in FIG. 2 is a facsimile transmission process, which is a first service process that requires user authentication in this embodiment. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 312.

  In step 312, it is determined whether the user authentication process shown in FIG. 3 has already been executed and the use of the first service process is permitted.

  If the user has been authenticated and the use is permitted, the process proceeds to step 306 and the service process is executed. In the present embodiment, specifically, the modem 116 is controlled so that facsimile transmission can be performed according to the instruction sheet. In the next step 308, the service processing execution information 150 relating to the executed service processing is updated. That is, in this case, the execution information of the facsimile transmission process in the service process execution information 150 is rewritten to “completed”. Since the user authentication is performed, the login information stored in the HDD 106 is read, and the user ID included in the login information is written in the user ID of the service process execution information 150.

  On the other hand, if the user has not been authenticated and use is not permitted, the process proceeds to step 314.

  In step 314, for example, a message indicating that the user authentication is not performed and the service process cannot be executed is displayed on the display unit 110.

  Accordingly, even if the user authentication is not performed when the execution of the instruction sheet 140 illustrated in FIG. 2 is instructed, the user authentication illustrated in FIG. 3 is performed before the facsimile transmission process is performed. In this case, the facsimile transmission process is executed. The same applies to the mail transmission process next to the facsimile transmission process.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, user authentication is performed when the first service process that requires user authentication and the second service process that does not require user authentication are mixed in the instruction sheet. Even if there is not, the instruction execution instruction is received from the user, and among the service processes instructed to be executed by the instruction, the second service process that does not require user authentication is executed.

  Even if the user authentication is not performed first, if the user authentication is performed before the first service process requiring the user authentication is performed, the first service process is performed.

  (Second Embodiment)

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, when user authentication is executed in the image forming apparatus 100 and a service process waiting for execution already exists, the user authenticated for the service process waiting for execution is displayed. A case will be described in which a service process is executed in association with each other, or a user selects whether a new instruction is selected and the service process of the instruction is executed in association with the user.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of post-authentication processing executed immediately after execution of the user authentication processing shown in FIG.

  First, in step 400, it is determined whether or not there is a service process that is currently waiting to be executed, that is, whether or not there is a service process that has not been executed yet in a state where the instruction is already being executed. This determination is made by referring to the service processing execution information 150 described above. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a service process whose executed information is “not yet”.

  If there is a service process waiting for execution, the process proceeds to step 402. If there is no service process waiting for execution, this routine is terminated. In this case, when the user subsequently selects an instruction and performs an operation for instructing execution, the instruction execution process shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

  In step 402, a process selection screen for allowing the user to select a process is displayed on the display unit 110. This process selection screen performs, for example, a first process for associating a user ID of a user who has been authenticated immediately before a service process awaiting execution, or newly selects and executes an instruction sheet. This is a screen for selecting whether to select the process or other third process.

  When the user selects one of the processes, in step 404, it is determined whether or not the selected process is the first process. If the selected process is the first process, the process proceeds to step 406. .

  In step 406, based on the service processing execution information 150, a list of service processing execution information corresponding to service processing awaiting execution, that is, service processing whose execution information is “uncompleted” is displayed on the display unit 110, and the user is made to display. Then, it is selected which service process awaiting execution is associated with the user ID of the user.

  In step 408, the service process waiting for execution selected by the user is associated with the user ID, and this routine is terminated. Specifically, the user ID of the user is written in the item of user ID of the service process execution information 150 of the service process selected by the user. Thereby, the service process waiting for execution selected by the user is associated with the user ID.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 404, the process proceeds to step 410, where it is determined whether or not the second process is selected. If the second process is selected, the process proceeds to step 412.

  In step 412, a list of instructions stored in advance in HDD 106 is displayed on display unit 110.

  In step 414, the user is allowed to select an instruction sheet, and this routine is terminated. In this case, since execution of the instruction is instructed, the processing shown in FIG. 4 is executed. In the present embodiment, the case where the instruction list is displayed in step 412 and the instruction is selected and executed in step 414 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the instruction is executed. When a service process such as a copy process is selected by operating the operation unit 111, the selected service process may be executed.

  Further, when a negative determination is made in step 410, that is, when the third process is selected, the process proceeds to step 416, and other processes are executed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a service process waiting for execution already exists when the user is authenticated, the user ID of the user is associated with the service process waiting for execution. Or whether to instruct execution of a new instruction or to execute other processing.

  Note that the configuration (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 10 described in the present embodiment is an example, and unnecessary portions are deleted or new portions are added within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  The processing flow of the control program described in the present embodiment (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 6) is also an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted or newly added without departing from the gist of the present invention. It goes without saying that various steps may be added or the processing order may be changed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus has been described. However, as long as a plurality of service processes can be executed on one document data, the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus. The present invention also applies.

100 Image forming apparatus 101 CPU
102 Bus 103 ROM
104 RAM
105 NVRAM
106 HDD
107 Image processing unit 108 UI interface 109 User interface 110 Display unit 111 Operation unit 112 Communication interface 113 LAN interface 114 Serial interface 115 USB interface 116 Modem 118 Device interface 119 Reading unit 120 Printing unit 121 Discharged sheet storage unit 130 IC card 131 IC card read / write device

Claims (4)

A first service processing that require authentication of the user, on the basis of the said user of the plurality of service processing instruction described in the execution order that is constituted by authenticating the second service processing to eliminate A plurality of service processing means for sequentially executing each of the plurality of service processes;
Authentication means for authenticating a user who uses the first service process that requires authentication of the user;
Accepting means for accepting an instruction to execute the plurality of service processes according to the instruction for one document data;
The instruction is accepted by the accepting means, and the authentication means is not authenticated with respect to the first service process that requires the authentication of the user, and the authentication form includes the authentication as the execution order. If the second service process waiting for execution is positioned next to the first service process that has not been authenticated by the means, the first service process that has not been authenticated is not executed, Control means for controlling the plurality of service processing means to execute the second service processing waiting for execution;
A service processing apparatus. The control means is configured to execute the first service process so that the first service process is executed when the user is authenticated by the authentication means before the first service process is executed. The service processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a service processing unit that executes processing is controlled. There are multiple types of instructions.
If the user is authenticated by the authentication unit and at least one of the first service process and the second service process exists as the service process waiting for execution, the control unit performs the authentication. The first process for associating the user information related to the user authenticated by the means with the service process waiting for execution is executed, or the plurality of service processes are executed in accordance with the instructions selected by the user. Let the user select whether to perform a second process, a process other than the first process and the second process, and a third process that is a service-related process
The service processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Computer
A service processing program for causing a plurality of service processing means, authentication means, and control means included in the service processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 to function .