Patent Publication Number: US-8112812-B2

Title: Recording medium and device administration apparatus

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-227180 filed on Aug. 4, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a recording medium in which a device administration program for administering a device such as, e.g., an image forming apparatus is recorded, and also relates to a device administration apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The following description sets forth the inventor&#39;s knowledge of related art and problems therein and should not be construed as an admission of knowledge in the prior art. 
     In accordance with the functional sophistication of such devices, various settings are required to fulfill the functions appropriately. In a case of an image forming apparatus such as, e.g., a MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) which is a digital complex machine, various settings are required. Such settings include a network setting, editing of authentication data, address settings for an email address to which image data is to be sent. In addition to the above, also required are ex-post administrations such as adding and/or changing of the aforementioned set data. 
     Such administration of the device including initialization settings of the device and changing and/or adding of the initial settings is performed exclusively by the device administrator to secure the security. In performing the operation, it is usually required to input a device password proving the administrator. 
     Recently, such administration can be performed via a personal computer as an administration device using a specific device administering program (hereinafter may be simply referred to as “application”). 
     In cases where the aforementioned device administration is performed via a personal computer, by using a single application (denoted as “App” in figure)  110  containing a plurality of administration functions as shown in  FIG. 10 , it was conventionally possible to use a plurality of administration functions of the device  200 . In other words, it was possible to set and/or change all of the settings such as the network setting, the editing of authentication data, and the address settings. 
     Meanwhile, an administrator may wish to entrust one or more specified administration functions to his/her sub-administrator. In such case, according to the application  110  of the type shown in  FIG. 10 , however, once the device password is given to the sub-administrator, there is such a drawback that it becomes possible for the sub-administrator to use not only the one or more specified administration functions but also all of the administration functions, causing a security problem. 
     In order to solve such drawback, as shown in  FIG. 11 , it can be considered to employ a method in which applications  101  to  104  are created on each administration function and an administrator gives only specified applications to his/her sub-administrator to entrust the corresponding administration functions. In this method, administration functions capable of being used by the sub-administrator can be limited even if the device password is given to the sub-administrator. 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 12 , US 2004/0148516 A1 proposes a method in which execution modules  121  and  122  capable of utilizing specific functions are given to the application  120  as plug-ins. In this method, once a plug-in is installed, a function corresponding to the plug-in becomes executable. 
     However, in the method shown in  FIG. 11  in which applications are created every administration function and only applications for specified administration functions are given to an sub-administrator, the administrator has to administer the applications  101  to  1041  corresponding to administration functions of many kinds and select specific applications among them for an sub-administrator, which causes very troublesome administration. 
     In a method shown in  FIG. 12  in which execution modules  121  and  122  capable of utilizing specific functions are given as plug-ins, the administrator also has to administer many execution modules  121  and  122  every specific function and select specific plug-ins among them to distribute for an sub-administrator, which also causes very troublesome administration. In addition, it is required to regulate the connecting method for connecting the basic portion  120  of the application and the plug-in modules  121  and  122 , resulting in troublesome processing. 
     The description herein of advantages and disadvantages of various features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed in other publications is in no way intended to limit the present invention. Indeed, certain features of the invention may be capable of overcoming certain disadvantages, while still retaining some or all of the features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed therein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been developed in view of the above-mentioned and/or other problems in the related art. The preferred embodiments of the present invention can significantly improve upon existing methods and/or apparatuses. 
     Among other potential advantages, some embodiments can provide a recording medium in which a device administration program is recorded, wherein the device administration program is capable of removing a burden of administering an application to be distributed to a sub-administrator as well as preventing all of the administration functions from becoming available to the sub-administrator in cases where an administrator wishes to entrust an administration of specific administration functions of the device to the sub-administrator. 
     Among other potential advantages, some embodiments can provide a recording medium in which a device administration program is recorded, wherein the program does not require troublesome processing of regulating a connecting method of a basic portion of an application and a plug-in module. 
     Among other potential advantages, some embodiments can provide a device administration apparatus operated with the aforementioned device administration program. 
     According to a first aspect of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a recording medium in which a device administration program for making a computer execute the following steps using a usage restriction definition file is recorded, wherein the usage restriction definition file is capable of defining usage availability or unavailability of at least one administration function among a plurality of administration functions of a device and includes a device password for obtaining an authentication of the device, and wherein the steps comprises: 
     a step of reading usage availability definition information of the at least one administration function and the device password from the usage restriction definition file; 
     a step of transmitting the read device password to the device; 
     a step of recognizing usage availabilities of the plurality of administration functions of the device based on the read definition information; and 
     a step of executing processing for using only usage available administration function based on the recognized result. 
     According to a second aspect of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a device administration apparatus, comprising: 
     a recording portion for recording a usage restriction definition file which is capable of defining a usage availability or usage disavailability of at least one administration function among a plurality of administration functions of a device and includes a device password for obtaining an authentication to the device; 
     a reading portion for reading the usage availability definition information of the administration functions and the device password from the usage restriction definition file; 
     a transmitting portion for transmitting the read device password to the device; 
     a recognizing portion for recognizing usage availabilities of the plurality of administration functions of the device based on the read definition information; and 
     an executing portion for executing processing for using only usage available administration function based on the recognized result. 
     The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments can combine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed as limiting other embodiments or the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic explanatory view showing a basic structure of a device administration program according to an embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a structural view of a network administration system for administering the MFP  3 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a personal computer used as a terminal device for a sub-administrator or an administrator; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the personal computer used as a terminal device for a sub-administrator or an administrator; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the processing to be executed when a CPU of the sub-administrator installs a MFP administration application; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the processing to be executed when the sub-administrator terminal device uses the administration function of the MFP based on the MFP administration application; 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory view showing the data exchange between the sub-administrator terminal device and the MFP at the time of using the administration function of the MFP; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing the steps to be taken when an administrator creates a usage restriction definition file using the administrator terminal device; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view showing the structure of the usage restriction definition file according to another embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view showing an example of a structure of a conventional device administration application; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view showing an example of another structure of a conventional device administration application; and 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view showing an example of still another structure of a conventional device administration application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following paragraphs, some preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example and not limitation. It should be understood based on this disclosure that various other modifications can be made by those in the art based on these illustrated embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing the basic structure of a device administration program  1  (hereinafter this program may be referred to as “application” as previously mentioned) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the device to be administered is a MFP  3  as one of image forming apparatuses. 
     This program  1  basically makes a computer execute the processing of using a plurality of administration functions of the MFP  3  such as, e.g., a network setting function, an authentication data editing function, or an address setting function. However, whether or not the processing is to be executed is determined by the contents of the usage restriction definition file  2 . 
     The usage restriction definition file  2  can preliminary enable an administrator to define at least one enabled or disabled administration function among the plurality of administration functions of the MFP 3 . 
     The method for defining the enabled(available)/disabled(unavailable) administration function is not specifically limited, and can be exemplified as follows. 
     (1) Defining Only Enabled Administration Functions 
     In this case, as to the administration functions not defined as being enabled, the sub-administrator cannot use the administration functions. Accordingly, even if a new administration function is added in accordance with the version upgrade of the application  1 , the administration functions defined as being enabled can be continuously used without changing the usage restriction definition file  2 . 
     (2) Defining Only Disabled Administration Functions 
     In this case, as to the administration functions not defined as being disabled, the sub-administrator can use the functions. For example, under the condition that important administration functions are preliminarily defined as being disabled, in cases where unimportant administration functions are added in accordance with the version upgrade of the application  1 , the added administration functions can be used without changing the usage restriction definition file  2 . 
     (3) Defining Both the Enabled Administration Functions and the Disabled Administration Functions 
     In this case, as to a newly added administration function in accordance with the version upgrade of the application  1 , whether the function is enabled or disabled should be preliminarily decided in the application  1  or the usage restriction definition file  2 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , a total of “N” administration functions are written in the usage restriction definition file  2 . The administration function  1  and the administration function  3  denoted as black squares are defined as being enabled, and the administration function  2  and the administration function N denoted as white squares are defined as being disabled. 
     The usage restriction definition file  2  contains not only the definition information of the administration functions but also the administrator password which is a device password which makes the MFP  3  authenticate the administrator. 
     In this embodiment, the definition information on whether the administration function is enabled or disabled and the administration password contained in the usage restriction definition file  2  are preliminary encrypted so that the sub-administrator cannot see them. Instead of the above, either one of them can be encrypted. 
     Accordingly, in order to read the encrypted definition information on whether the administration function is enabled or disabled and the administration password from the usage restriction definition file  2 , it is required to decrypt them using an encryption key. In one example of a decryption method, an encryption key preliminary embedded in the application  1  is used. Alternatively, it is possible to employ a method in which a reading password for the usage restriction definition file  2  is given to the sub-administrator so that the sub-administrator can input this password at the time of reading the usage restriction definition file  2 . 
     However, it is troublesome to execute the decryption processing every time the usage restriction definition file  2  is read. 
     Therefore, in this embodiment, when the MFP administration application  1  is installed in the terminal device of the sub-administrator (hereinafter referred to as “sub-administrator terminal device”) which is a personal computer for example, the sub-administrator terminal device executes an inquiry to the usage restriction definition file  2  based on the application  1  to read the definition information of the administration function and the administrator password and decrypt them using an encryption key. 
     The decrypted definition information and administrator password are saved as a file of a unique format that the program can easily administrate. The reference numeral “ 7 ” in  FIG. 1  denotes a file for storing the contents of the usage restriction definition file  2  separately from the usage restriction definition file  2 . 
     When the sub-administrator terminal device executes the installed MFP administration application  1  against the MFP  3  to be administered, the terminal device reads the definition information and the administrator password stored in the storing file  7  to execute the processing. 
     As mentioned above, since the contents of the usage restriction definition file  2  are stored separately from the usage restriction definition file  2 , it becomes unnecessary to read the contents of the usage restriction definition file  2  from the file  2  every time it is connected to the MFP  3  to decrypt the encrypted contents, resulting in simplified processing. 
     In the meantime, the definition information and the administrator password are very important data, and therefore it causes security problems to save them in the storing file  7  different from the usage restriction definition file  2  in the decrypted manner. 
     Accordingly, it is preferable that the application  1  has its own encryption key, so that the key is used to encrypt the contents of the usage restriction definition file  2  at the time of storing the contents in the storing file  7  of a unique form, decrypt the stored contents with the encryption key of the application  1  to read them at the time of reading the contents, to thereby restrict the execution of the processing of the administration function and use the administrator password in accordance with the read information. 
     The aforementioned structure has various advantages. For example, an administration method peculiar to the application becomes available, resulting in increased freedom degree. An encryption every administration function unit or only an encryption of only the administrator password becomes available. A decryption of only the necessary information becomes available, which enables efficient processing as compared with the case in which all of the information is to be decrypted. 
       FIG. 2  is a structural view of a network administration system for administering the MFP  3 . In this system, the MFP  3 , the sub-administrator terminal device  4  and the terminal device  5  of the administrator (hereinafter referred to as “administrator terminal device”) are connected via the network  6 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the external view of the personal computer constituting the sub-administrator terminal device  4  or the administrator terminal device  5 .  FIG. 4  shows a block diagram thereof. It should be understood that the sub-administrator terminal device  4  or administrator terminal device  5  is merely one example and can take any structure other than the structure shown in these figures. 
     The sub-administrator terminal device  4  and the administrator terminal device  5  include a personal computer main body  40 , a monitor or display  42  connected to the main body  40 , a keyboard  46 , and a mouse  48 , respectively. The personal computer main body  40  includes a built-in CD-ROM drive  50 , etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the personal computer main body  40  further includes a bus  66  to which the CD-ROM drive  50  is connected, a CPU  56  connected to the bus  66 , a ROM  58  connected to the bus  66  and storing a program to be executed by the CPU  56 , a RAM  60  connected to the bus  66  and providing a working area to be used by the CPU  56 , and a hard disk  54 . 
     The aforementioned MFP administration application  1  recorded in a recording medium such as, e.g., the CD-ROM  62  will be provided to a sub-administrator together with the usage restriction definition file  2  created by an administrator, and then stored in the hard disk  54  via a reading device such as, e.g., the CD-ROM drive  50  to be installed. Alternatively, the MFP administration application  1  can be transmitted from the administrator terminal device  5  to the sub-administrator terminal device  4  via the network  6  and stored in the hard disk  54  to be installed. 
     When the CPU  56  executes this application  1 , the CPU  56  reads out this program from the hard disk  54 , stores it in the RAM  60 , and then executes it while reading the commands. 
     The operation of a personal computer itself is well-known, and therefore the detail explanation will be omitted here. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the processing to be executed when the CPU  54  of the sub-administrator terminal device  4  installs the MFP administration application  1 . 
     At Step S 1 , the CPU  56  reads the encrypted definition information on the usage availabilities of administration functions and the encrypted administrator password from the usage restriction definition file  2  stored in the hard disk  54 , and decrypts them at Step S 2 . Thereafter, as Step S 3 , the decrypted information and password are stored in the hard disk  54  in a state in which they are stored in the storing file  7  different from the usage restriction definition file  2 . The storing can be performed in an encrypted state if needed. 
     Thereafter, when the sub-administration terminal device  4  uses the administration function of the MFP  3  based on the application  1 , the CPU  56  reads the definition information and the administrator password from the storing file  7 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the processing to be executed when the sub-administrator terminal device  4  uses the administration function of the MFP  3  based on the application  1 . 
     When the application is activated, at Step S 11 , it is discriminated whether the usage restriction definition file  2  is updated. If not updated (NO at Step S 11 ), the routine proceeds to Step S 14 . To the contrary, if updated (YES at Step S 1 ), the routine proceeds to Step S 12  to read the definition information and the administrator password from the usage restriction definition file  2  at Step S 12 . Thereafter, the stored contents of the storing file  7  are updated at Step S 13 , and then the routine proceeds to Step S 14 . 
     The discrimination on whether the usage restriction definition file  2  has been updated can be performed as follow for example. That is, when the usage restriction definition file  2  was read last, the file updated time information including the year, the month, the date, the hour, the minute, and the second and the location of the file are stored. Then, the updated time information of the usage restriction definition file  2  located at the specified location is obtained to compare with the stored previous updated time information. If both information coincides, it is discriminated that the information has not been updated. If both information does not coincide, it is discriminated that the information has been updated. 
     The processing of Step S 11  to Step S 13  can be executed every prescribed time period in place of the activation time of the application  1 . 
     At Step S 14 , the CPU  56  reads the definition information and the administrator password from the storing file  7 . 
     Thereafter, at Step S 15 , based on the read definition information, the available (enabled) administration function and the unavailable (disabled) administration function are recognized. 
     Then, at Step S 16 , the CPU  56  communicates with the MFP  3  to exchange necessary data, and transmits the read administrator password to the MFP  3  at Step S 17 . 
     If the transmitted administrator password is real (correct), the MFP  3  returns an authentication success signal to the sub-administrator terminal device  4 . To the contrary, if false (wrong), the MFP  3  returns an authentication failure signal. 
     At Step S 18 , the CPU  56  discriminates whether the return signal from the MFP  3  is an authentication success signal. If the authentication is failed (NO at Step S 18 ), the processing terminates as it is. To the contrary, if the authentication is succeeded (YES at Step S 18 ), the routine proceeds to Step S 19 . 
     At Step S 19 , based on the recognition results recognized at Step S 15 , processing for using only available administration functions is executed. Concretely, it becomes ready to accept operation inputs from the sub-administrator to use the administration functions (e.g., an operation screen is displayed on the display  42 ). When there is any operation input, the corresponding command is sent to the MFP  3  and receives the corresponding reply from the MFP  3 . 
     Thereafter, at Step S 20 , it is discriminated whether the use of the administration function has been completed. If not completed (NO at Step S 20 ), the routine returns to Step S 19 . If completed (YES at Step S 20 ), this processing terminates. 
     Thus, the sub-administrator can use only the administration functions allowed by the administrator. 
       FIG. 7  is an explanatory view showing the data exchange between the sub-administrator terminal device  4  and the MFP  3  at the time of using the administration function of the MFP  3 , and shows the contents of the Step S 16  to Step S 20  in  FIG. 6 . 
     When the CPU  56  of the sub-administrator terminal device  4  sends a usage inquiry ({circle around (1)}), the MFP  3  sends a reply ({circle around (2)}). Then, the CPU  56  inquires of the MFP  3  whether the usage of the administration function is enabled ({circle around (3)}), the MFP  3  sends a reply ({circle around (4)}). At that time, restrictions on the administration usage and/or necessary information may sometimes be provided. 
     Next, the CPU  56  transmits the administrator password ({circle around (5)}). The MFP  3  sends back an authentication success signal if the administration password is real (correct), but sends back an authentication failure signal if the administration password is false (wrong) ({circle around (6)}). 
     In the case of the authentication success, the CPU  56  transmits a command corresponding to the operation of the sub-administrator ({circle around (7)}), and the MFP  3  returns the executed result of the command ({circle around (8)}). In the case of executing processing by a plurality of commands, transmitting and returning commands are executed. 
     When the use of the administration function terminates, the CPU  56  requires a disconnection ({circle around (9)}), and the MFP  3  responds to it. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing steps of creating a usage restriction definition file  2  by an administrator using his/her administrator terminal device  5 . 
     Initially, the administrator installs the application for creating the usage restriction definition file  2  at Step S 21 , and then inputs the administrator password at Step S 22 . If necessary, the administrator terminal device  5  can send an inquiry to the MFP  3  to confirm the accuracy of the inputted password. 
     Then, at Step S 23 , as to predetermined administration functions, the usage availabilities thereof are defined so that only the administration functions to be assigned to the sub-administrator become available. Specifically, for example, the definition can be performed by checking the administration function checking boxes to be enabled. 
     Next, at Step S 24 , the definition information and the administrator password are encrypted. 
     The usage restriction definition file  2  created as mentioned above will be provided to the sub-administrator as a part of the MFP administrator application  1 . 
     As will be understood from the above explanation, in this embodiment, the usage restriction definition file  2  is capable of defining the usage availability of at least one administration function among a plurality of administration functions of the MFP (device)  3 . Therefore, the administrator can provide the program to the sub-administrator in a state in which some administration functions to be assigned to the sub-administrator are defined to be enabled (available) and the other administration functions not to be assigned to the sub-administrator are defined to be disabled (unavailable). 
     In accordance with the program, the CPU (computer)  56  reads the usage availability definition information of the administration function and the device password from the usage restriction definition file  2 , transmits the device password to the MFP  3 , and then recognizes the usage availabilities of the plurality of administration functions of the MFP  3 . 
     Based on the recognition results, processing for using only the available administration functions is executed. 
     Accordingly, the administrator is no longer required to administrate applications and/or execution modules every sub-administration function, select certain applications among the applications to provide them to the sub-administrator. The administrator is merely required to administrate only one usage restriction definition file  2  and change the usage availability definitions of the administration functions depending on the sub-administrator, resulting in easy administration. 
     The CPU  56  executes the processing for using only the administration functions recognized as available (enabled) administration functions, and does not execute the processing for using the administration functions recognized as unavailable (disabled) administration functions. Therefore, there is no inconvenience that the sub-administrator can use all of the administration function of the device. 
     Furthermore, the usage restriction definition file  2  includes a device password to obtain an authentication of the administrator from the MFP  3 , and the CPU  56  transmits this device password to the MFP  3 . Therefore, it is not required for the sub-administrator to manually input the device password every connection to the MFP  3  to be administrated, which makes it convenient. 
     Furthermore, it is also not necessary to execute the troublesome processing for regulating the connecting method between the application basic portion and the plug-in module which is required to make certain administration functions available with the plug-in module. 
       FIG. 9  shows another embodiment. In this embodiment, a file password is given by an administrator to each of the administration functions contained in the usage restriction definition file  2 . The administrator notifies the sub-administrator of the file passwords of predetermined administration functions among the administration functions contained in the usage restriction definition file  2  to make the sub-administrator to use only the administration functions that the administrator desires. 
     When the sub-administrator inputs the file password notified by the administrator, it is discriminated by the CPU  56  of the sub-administrator terminal device  4  whether the inputted file password coincides with the set file password. Only when both the passwords coincide, the CPU  56  reads the usage availability definition information corresponding to the administration function and the administrator password. Thus, only the predetermined administration functions become available. 
     As mentioned above, a file password is set to each of the administration functions contained in the usage restriction definition file  2  and the usage availability definition information of the administration functions can be read when the file password and the inputted password coincide. Therefore, when the administrator creates only one usage restriction definition file in which a file password is given to each of the administration functions and changes the password of the administration function to be notified to the sub-administrator every sub-administrator, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in the case in which available administration functions are set to each sub-administrator. As a result, it becomes possible to cut out the need of creating a separate usage restriction definition file every sub-administrator. 
     Although a preferable embodiment has been explained above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. For example, although the embodiment is directed to the case in which the invention is applied to the administration application  1  of the MFP  3 , the invention can also be applied to the image forming apparatus other than MFPs or various devices other than image forming apparatuses. 
     While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention and such examples are not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein. 
     While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to.” In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may be used as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure. The language present invention or invention should not be improperly interpreted as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment” can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may include overlapping features. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this case, the following abbreviated terminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “for example;” and “NB” which means “note well.”