Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2571242B1/en
Timestamp: 2020-02-21 10:54:29
Document Index: 47413616

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 2004', 'Application No. 2004', 'Application No. 2004', 'art 171', 'art 172', 'art 173', 'art 175', 'art 176', 'art 177', 'art 178', 'art 179', 'art 120', 'art 111', 'art 112', 'art 113', 'art 114', 'art 161', 'art 162', 'art 163', 'art 161', 'art 162', 'art 161', 'art 163', 'art 111', 'art 111', 'art 120', 'art 111', 'art 111', 'art 111', 'art 172', 'art 172', 'art 172', 'art 172', 'art 172', 'art 171', 'art 171', 'art 171', 'art 172', 'art 171', 'art 179', 'art 179', 'art 171', 'art 172', 'art 171', 'art 172', 'art 171', 'art 172', 'art 171', 'art 172', 'art 171', 'art 171', 'art 179', 'art 171', 'art 171', 'art 172', 'art 179', 'art 172', 'art 172', 'art 171', 'art 172', 'art 173', 'art 176', 'art 171', 'art 172', 'art 173', 'art 176', 'art 211', 'art 211', 'art 212', 'art 120', 'art 120', 'art 311', 'art 311', 'art 312', 'art 120', 'art 120', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313', 'art 313']

EP2571242B1 - Management apparatus, image forming apparatus management system - Google Patents
Management apparatus, image forming apparatus management system Download PDF
EP2571242B1
EP2571242B1 EP12195768.2A EP12195768A EP2571242B1 EP 2571242 B1 EP2571242 B1 EP 2571242B1 EP 12195768 A EP12195768 A EP 12195768A EP 2571242 B1 EP2571242 B1 EP 2571242B1
EP12195768.2A
EP2571242A2 (en
EP2571242A3 (en
2006-03-02 Priority to JP2006056404A priority Critical patent/JP4801468B2/en
2007-02-22 Application filed by Ricoh Co Ltd filed Critical Ricoh Co Ltd
2007-02-22 Priority to EP07102893.0A priority patent/EP1830553B1/en
2013-03-20 Publication of EP2571242A2 publication Critical patent/EP2571242A2/en
2013-05-22 Publication of EP2571242A3 publication Critical patent/EP2571242A3/en
2018-11-07 Publication of EP2571242B1 publication Critical patent/EP2571242B1/en
238000009740 moulding (composite fabrication) Methods 0 claims description title 201
For example, in a network scanner apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-222141 , there is provided an address data storing part to which address data are stored (in correspondence with each address to which data are to be delivered via the network including at least user name, password, delivery data, and other addresses that may be used by the user of a corresponding address. Accordingly, user authentication is performed with the address data storing part based on a combination of the user name and the password in the address data storing part. Thus, use of the network scanner apparatus can only be allowed for a user who has succeeded at the user authentication.
However, with the network scanner apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-222141 , since image data read out from a document are transferred from the network scanner apparatus to a predetermined address, there is a possibility that the transferred image data be viewed by an unintended person in a case where a terminal corresponding to the predetermined address is shared by plural users.
Furthermore, the network scanner apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-222141 allows use by all users authenticated in the user authentication. Since recent image forming apparatuses are provided not only with a scanner function but also with various other functions such as a facsimile function and a printing function, there is a possibility that the functions of the image forming apparatus will be used for unintended purposes in a case where the user is allowed to freely use the image forming apparatus. EP1 398 954 A2 discloses an image forming apparatus that uses a plurality of authentication/billing systems for a plurality of applications, in which the plurality of authentication/billing systems may include an authentication/billing system using an external server that manages user information such as authentication information and billing information.
The object of the present invention is achieved with the features of the claims. Other objects and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Fig.1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.2 is a block diagram for describing functions of a image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.3 is a block diagram for describing functions of a management server according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.4 is a block diagram for describing the functions of a print server according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.5 is a flowchart showing a user authentication process of an image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.6 is a flowchart for describing an operation of the personal menu process of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Figs.7A and 7B are schematic diagrams for describing the statuses of an operation part in a case where a personal menu is selected by the user according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.8 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.9 is a schematic diagram for describing configurations of an image forming apparatus, a control terminal, and an IC card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.10 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.11 is a schematic diagram for describing the configurations of a laser printer, a control terminal, a setting terminal, and an IC card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figs.12A-12M are schematic diagrams for describing a display method executed by a display part in a case of displaying the status of the image forming apparatus management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
Figs.13A-13D are schematic diagrams for describing a display method executed by a display part for displaying the status of a second print server in a case where plural printer servers are connected.
Fig.1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus management system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus management system 10 has a management server 11, an Active Directory server (hereinafter referred to as "AD server") 13, a user terminal 15, a print server 16, and an image forming apparatus 17 (including multifunction peripheral) which are connected by a network.
Next, the image forming apparatus 17, the management server 11, and the print server 16 are described with reference to Figs.2-4.
Fig.2 is a block diagram for describing functions of the image forming apparatus 17 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes a control part 171, an operation part 172, a storage part 173, an IC card reader 174, a data format conversion part 175, a communication part 176, a process history storage part 177, an individual data storage part 178, and a password generation part 179.
Fig.3 is a block diagram for describing functions of the management server 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The management server 11 includes a user data storage part 120, a control part 111, a use restriction data acquiring part 112, a display part 113, and a communication part 114.
Fig.4 is a block diagram for describing the functions of the print server 16 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The print server 16 includes, for example, a print instruction storage part 161, a print control part 162, and a communication part 163. The print instruction storage part 161 is for temporarily storing print jobs (print commands) transmitted from the user terminal 15. When a printing request (print instruction) is given from the user terminal 15 or the image forming apparatus 17, the print control part 162 instructs that a print job(s) stored in the print command storage part 161 be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 17. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 17 executes the print job(s). The communication part 163 is for establishing communications between the management server 11 and the image forming apparatus 17.
Next, a user authentication process of the image forming apparatus management system 10 is described with reference to Fig.5. Fig.5 is a flowchart showing a user authentication process of the image forming apparatus management system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In a case where there is a corresponding user ID in the AD server 13 (Yes in Step S53), the control part 111 authenticates the user of the user ID (log-in success, Step S54). In a case where the management server 11 is not set to execute the user authentication process by using the AD server 13 (No in Step S52), the control part 111 determines that the user is authenticated at the time when corresponding user data are found in the user data storage part 120.
In a case where the determination process (determining whether a corresponding user ID exists in the AD server 13) of Step S53 fails (error), the control part 111 determines whether to allow the user of the user ID to use the image forming apparatus 17 by referring to the use restriction data 123 corresponding to the user ID (Step S55). In a case where the user ID corresponds to an authorized user, the control part 111 determines that the user is authenticated (log-in success). In a case where the user ID corresponds to an unauthorized user, the control part 111 determines that the log-in operation has failed and ends the user authentication process (Step S56).
Next, a personal menu process executed by the image forming apparatus 17 is described with reference to Figs.6, 7A and 7B. The "personal menu" according to an embodiment of the present invention refers to functions which can be used only by users having their user ID and password registered beforehand in the image forming apparatus 17. The functions that can be executed with the "personal menu" include, for example, accessing and browsing data (e.g. image data, electronic document data) stored in the image forming apparatus 17 in correspondence with each user, using an address book corresponding to each user, and browsing mail documents corresponding to each user. Furthermore, in a case where the personal menu is selected by the user, the display of the display part of the operation part 172 or the settings of the image forming apparatus 17, for example, can be customized in correspondence with each user. In this example, "personal menu process" refers to a process that is executed by the image forming apparatus 17 when the personal menu is selected.
Fig.6 is a flowchart for describing an operation of the personal menu process of the image processing apparatus 17 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figs.7A and 7B are schematic diagrams for describing the statuses of the operation part 172 in a case where the personal menu is selected by the user. More specifically, Fig.7A shows a status of the operation part 172 before logging in to the personal menu. Fig.7B shows a status of the operation part 172 after logging in to the personal menu.
The user authentication process (described above with Fig.5) of the image forming apparatus 17 is initiated by having the user place his/her IC card onto or in the proximity of the IC card reader 174 (Step S61). Until the user is authenticated, the image forming apparatus 17 keeps the operation part 172 in a state which cannot be operated by the user (this state is hereinafter referred to as "hard key lock state").
When the user authentication process of Step S61 is completed and the user is determined as a user authorized to use the image forming apparatus 17, the control part 171 releases (unlocks) the hard key lock state (Step S62). Then, the control part 171, in accordance with the use restriction data obtained from the management server 11, alters the status of the image forming apparatus 17 to a status allowing execution of predetermined functions allowed to be executed by the user (Step S63).
In a case where execution of the "personal menu" is selected by the user (Step S64), the control part 171 instructs a display part of the operation part 172 to display that the "personal menu" has been selected as shown in Fig.7A (Step S65). It is to be noted that the "it function" shown in Figs.6 and 7A is a generic term indicating a function of the image forming apparatus for directly transmitting and receiving data via a network. Accordingly, the function(s) that can be executed by the personal menu process is included in the "it function" according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Then, the control part 171 initiates a process of logging in to the selected personal menu (Step S66). The image forming apparatus 17 has a password generation part 179 (see Fig.2) that generates a password based on the user ID extracted from the IC card identification data in Step S61. Accordingly, at this stage, a user ID registered beforehand by the user and a password generated by the password generation part 179 in correspondence with the registered user ID are stored beforehand in the image forming apparatus 17.
In a case where, for some reason, an error occurs in the log-in process of Step S67, the control part 171 instructs the operation part 172 to delete the selected "personal menu" displayed in Step S65 (Step S72). Then, the control part 171 instructs the operation part 172 to display that an error has occurred in the process of logging in to the personal menu (error message) (Step S73).
Then, the control part 171 sets the operation keys of the operation part 172 to a mode allowing the user to operate on the operation keys to be used when the personal menu is selected (Step S75). Then, the control part 171 instructs the operation part 172 to delete the selected "personal menu" displayed in Step S65 (Step S76). Then, the control part 171 instructs the operation part 171 to display a message indicating that the data of the password generated by the password generation part 179 can be browsed by the user (Step S77). Once the message is displayed, the log-in process of the image forming apparatus 17 is finished. Then, the operation part 171 displays a personal menu in correspondence with each user as shown in Fig.7B.
In a case where the personal menu is not selected (No in Step S64), the control part 171 controls the image forming apparatus 17 based on the use restriction data obtained from the management server 11 in Step S61 (Step S78). Accordingly, the user can use the image forming apparatus 17 within the limits of the controls set in the image forming apparatus 17.
It is to be noted that the browsable data of the password indicated by the operation part 172 in Step S77 includes, for example, data regarding the initial password generated by the password generation part 179 and data required in changing the initial password to an original password of the user. In an embodiment of the present invention, the screen displayed by the operation part 172 in Step S77 may change to a screen for changing the password or to a screen displaying the initial password to the user in a case where the password is already changed by the user. Furthermore, in a case of displaying the password to the user, the password displayed on the screen by the operation part 172 may be automatically erased after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of displaying the password.
Next, an image forming apparatus management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Fig.8. Fig.8 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus management system 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the image forming apparatus management system 20 of the second embodiment shown in Fig.8, like components are denoted with like numerals as of the image forming apparatus management system of the first embodiment shown in Fig.1 and are not further explained.
The image forming apparatus management system 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus 17a, an operation terminal 21 for operating the image forming apparatus 17a, and an IC card reader 174a connected to an outer part of the operation terminal 21. In this example, the image forming apparatus 17a, the operation terminal 21, and the IC card reader 174a serve as corresponding parts (components) of the above-described image forming apparatus 17 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig.9 is a schematic diagram for describing configurations of the image forming apparatus 17a, the operation terminal 21, and the IC card reader 174a according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in Fig.9, the image forming apparatus 17a includes a control part 171a, an operation part 172a, a storage part 173a, and a communication part 176a. The control part 171a is for executing or controlling the processes of the image forming apparatus 17a for achieving, for example, a printing function, a scanning function, and a copying function. The operation part 172a is for operating the image forming apparatus 17a (e.g. a ten-key, a control panel). The memory part 173a is for storing, for example, setting values (parameters) of the image forming apparatus 17a. The communication part 176a is for communicating with the operation terminal 21.
Next, a user authentication process according to the second embodiment of the present invention is described. First, the IC card reader 174a obtains IC card identification data stored in the IC card of the user. Then, the control part 211 of the operation terminal 21 obtains the IC card identification data from the IC card reader 174a. Then, the control part 211 transmits the obtained IC card identification data to the management server 11 via the communication part 212. The management server 11 obtains IC card identification data 121 (see Fig.3) matching the transmitted IC card identification data in the user data storage part 120, extracts user ID data 122 corresponding to the obtained IC card identification data from the user data storage part 120, and acquires use restriction data 123 corresponding to the extracted user ID data.
Next, an image forming apparatus management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Fig.10. Fig.10 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus management system 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the image forming apparatus management system of the third embodiment shown in Fig.10, like components are denoted with like numerals as of the image forming apparatus management system of the first and second embodiments shown in Figs.1 and 8 and are not further explained.
In the image forming apparatus management system 30 of the third embodiment, the parts included in the image forming apparatus 17 of the first embodiment of the present invention are provided as a laser printer 17b (image forming apparatus), a control terminal 31 for controlling the laser printer 17b, a setting terminal 32 for applying various settings to the control terminal 31, and an IC card reader 174b connected to an outer part of the control terminal 31. Fig.11 is a schematic diagram for describing the configurations of the laser printer 17b, the control terminal 31, the setting terminal 32, and the IC card reader 174b according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Next, a user authentication process according to the third embodiment of the present invention is described. First, the IC card reader 174b obtains IC card identification data stored in the IC card of the user. Then, the control part 311 of the control terminal 31 obtains the IC card identification data from the IC card reader 174b. Then, the control part 311 transmits the obtained IC card identification data to the management server 11 via the communication part 312. The management server 11 obtains IC card identification data 121 (see Fig.3) matching the transmitted IC card identification data in the user data storage part 120, extracts user ID data 122 corresponding to the obtained IC card identification data from the user data storage part 120, and acquires use restriction data 123 corresponding to the extracted user ID data 122.
Next, a display method executed by the display part 313 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Figs.12A-12M and 13A-13D.
Figs.12A-12M are schematic diagrams for describing a display method executed by the display part 313 in a case of displaying the status of the image forming apparatus management system 30. Figs.13A-13D are schematic diagrams for describing a display method executed by the display part 313 for displaying the status of a second print server in a case where plural printer servers 16 are connected. The horizontal direction of Figs.12A-12M and 13A-13D indicates the elapsing of time, in which one box is equivalent to one second. In Figs.12A-12M and 13A-13D, a shift of one box to the right side in the display part 313 indicates a status after one second has elapsed.
The display part 313 of the control terminal 31 includes LED1, LED2, and LED3 which correspond to three colors of green, red, and yellow, respectively. In this example, LED1 is a green LED for indicating the power status of the control terminal 31. The LED1 is lit when the power of the control terminal 31 is switched ON. The LED2 is a red LED for mainly indicating the apparatus status of the control terminal 31. The LED3 is a yellow LED for mainly indicating the apparatus status of the management server 11 and the print server 16 as well as the communication status of the control terminal 31 with respect to the management server 11 and the print server 16. Next, the manner in which the LED2 and LED3 is lit are described with reference to Figs.12A-12M.
Fig.12A shows the display part 313 indicating that the communication status for a service inside the control terminal 31 is abnormal. In this example, the service inside the control terminal 31 is transmission/reception of data inside the control terminal 31. In a case where the communication status of the service inside the control terminal 31 is abnormal, the LED2 of the display part 313 blinks once every five seconds. That is, after the LED2 is lit for one second, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED2 is lit again for one second. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the communication abnormality of the service inside the control terminal 31 to the user.
Fig.12B shows the display part 313 indicating a disk capacity warning of the local disk of the control terminal 31. In a case where the remaining data capacity of the control terminal 31 becomes less than a predetermined capacity, the LED2 blinks every other second for two times. Then, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED2 is blinks every other second for two times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the disk capacity warning of the local disk of the control terminal 31 to the user.
Fig.12C shows the display part 313 indicating that the apparatus status of the IC card reader 174b is abnormal. In this case, the LED2 blinks every other second for three times. Then, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED2 is blinks every other second for three times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the apparatus abnormality of the IC card reader 174b to the user.
Fig.12D shows the display part 313 indicating that the device status of the control terminal 31 is abnormal. In this example, abnormality in the device status of the control terminal 313 is malfunction of the control terminal 31 (e.g. unable to perform data communication). In this case, the LED3 blinks once every five seconds. That is, after the LED3 is lit on for one second, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the device abnormality of the control terminal 31 to the user.
Fig.12E shows the display part 313 indicating that the communication status with respect to the print server 16 is abnormal. In this case, the LED3 blinks every other second for two times. Then, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED3 is blinks every other second for two times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the abnormal communication between the control terminal 31 and the print server 16 to the user.
Fig.12F shows the display part 313 indicating that the communication status with respect to the management server 11 is abnormal. In this case, the LED3 blinks every other second for three times. Then, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED3 is blinks every other second for three times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the abnormal communication between the control terminal 31 and the management server 11 to the user.
Fig.12G shows the display part 313 indicating that there is an internal error of the control terminal 31. In this example, internal error is a case where the control terminal 31 is, for some reason, unable to execute a process to be executed inside the control terminal 31. In this case, the LED2 and the LED3 blink at the same timing every other second. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the internal error of the control terminal 31 to the user.
Fig.12H shows the display part 313 indicating that the communication status for a service inside the print server 16 is abnormal. In this case, the LED3 of the display part 313 blinks once every other second for four times. Then, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED3 blinks once every other second for four times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the communication abnormality of the service inside the print server 16 to the user.
Fig.12I shows the display part 313 indicating a disk capacity warning of the print server 16. In a case where the remaining data capacity of the print server 16 becomes less than a predetermined capacity, the LED3 blinks every other second for five times. Then, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED3 blinks every other second for five times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the disk capacity warning of the print server 16 to the user.
Fig.12J shows the display part 313 indicating a database capacity warning of the print server 16. In this example, the database of the print server 16 is a data storage area in the printer server 16 where various data are stored. In a case where the remaining data capacity of the database of the print server 16 becomes less than a predetermined capacity, the LED3 blinks every other second for six times. Then, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED3 blinks every other second for six times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the database capacity warning of the print server 16 to the user.
Fig.12K shows the display part 313 indicating that the communication status for a service inside the management server 11 is abnormal. In this case, the LED3 of the display part 313 blinks once every other second for seven times. Then, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED3 blinks once every other second for seven times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the communication abnormality of the service inside the management server 11 to the user.
Fig.12L shows the display part 313 indicating a disk capacity warning of the management server 11. In a case where the remaining data capacity of the management server 11 becomes less than a predetermined capacity, the LED3 blinks every other second for eight times. Then, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED3 blinks every other second for eight times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the disk capacity warning of the management server 11 to the user.
Fig.12M shows the display part 313 indicating a database capacity warning of the management server 11. In this example, the database of the management server 11 is a data storage area in the management server 11 where various data are stored. In a case where the remaining data capacity of the database of the management server 11 becomes less than a predetermined capacity, the LED3 blinks every other second for nine times. Then, there is an intermission of four seconds where none of the LEDs are lit. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED3 blinks every other second for nine times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the database capacity warning of the management server 11 to the user.
The image forming apparatus management system 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided with plural print servers 16. Next, the manner in which an LED2 and an LED3 of a second print server 16' (not shown) is lit is described with reference to Figs.13A-13D. In Figs.13A-13D, the mark "!" indicates that the period in which the LED is lit is shorter than one second. For example, "●!●" indicates that an LED blinks twice with an interval shorter than one second.
Fig.13A shows the display part 313 indicating that the communication status between the second print server 16' and the control terminal 31 is abnormal. In this case, the LED3 of the display part 313 blinks every other second for two times. Then, during a period of four seconds, the LED3 blinks twice with an interval shorter than one second. Then, after the lapse of four seconds, the LED3 blinks once every other second for two times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the communication abnormality between the second print server 16'and the control terminal 31 to the user.
Fig.13B shows the display part 313 indicating that the communication status for a service inside the second print server 16' is abnormal. In this case, the LED3 of the display part 313 blinks once every other second for four times. Then, during a period of four seconds, the LED3 blinks twice with an interval shorter than one second. Then, after the period of four seconds, the LED3 blinks once every other second for four times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the communication abnormality of the service inside the second print server 16' to the user.
Fig.13C shows the display part 313 indicating a disk capacity warning of the second print server 16'. In a case where the remaining data capacity of the second print server 16' becomes less than a predetermined capacity, the LED3 blinks every other second for five times. Then, during a period of four seconds, the LED3 blinks twice with an interval shorter than one second. Then, after the period of four seconds, the LED3 blinks once every other second for five times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the disk capacity warning of the second print server 16' to the user.
Fig.13D shows the display part 313 indicating a database capacity warning of the second print server 16'. In this example, the database of the second print server 16' is a data storage area in the second print server 16' where various data are stored. In a case where the remaining data capacity of the database of the second print server 16' becomes less than a predetermined capacity, the LED3 blinks every other second for six times. Then, during a period of four seconds, the LED3 blinks twice with an interval shorter than one second. Then, after the period of four seconds, the LED3 blinks once every other second for six times. In this manner, the display part 313 reports the database capacity warning of the second print server 16' to the user.
A first apparatus (11) comprising:
a first connecting unit configured to connect to an image forming apparatus (17);
a second connecting unit connectable to a second apparatus (13) via a network, the second apparatus (13) storing first user data;
a storage unit (120) configured to store second user data;
a receiving unit configured to receive identification data for user authentication of a user using the image forming apparatus (17);
a first authentication process unit configured to execute user authentication of the received identification data by using the second user data;
the first apparatus (11) further comprises:
a second authentication process unit configured to execute user authentication of the received identification data by using the first user data by accessing the second apparatus (13) by the connecting unit;
a control unit (111) configured to control to execute user authentication process by either the first authentication process unit or the second authentication process unit;
wherein the control unit (111) executes the second authentication process as the executed user authentication process in case that the second apparatus (13) is selected so as to perform the user authentication process,
wherein the control unit (111) executes the first authentication process as the user authentication process in case that the second apparatus (13) is not selected so as to perform the user authentication process.
The apparatus (11) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein user restriction data is stored in the first apparatus (11),
wherein the first apparatus (11) further comprises an acquiring part (112) configured to acquire the user restriction data from an authenticated user.
The apparatus (11) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
a setting unit configured to set to execute the user authentication process by the second authentication process unit;
a determining unit configured to determine whether the first authentication process or the second authentication process is executed for the user authentication process based on setting by the setting unit; wherein
the control unit (111) controls to execute user authentication process by either the first authentication process unit or the second authentication process unit based on determining by the determining unit.
The apparatus (11) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:
an extracting unit configured to extract the second user data corresponding the identification data; wherein
the control unit (111) executes the first authentication unit for user authentication in case that the user authentication process by the second authentication unit has failed.
The apparatus (11) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the storage unit (120) stores user identification data (122) and card identification data (121) corresponding to the user identification data (122) as the second user data;
the receiving unit receives card identification data (121);
the first authentication process unit executes user authentication by determining whether card identification data (121) of the second user data are stored in the storage unit (120) based on the received card identification data (121) by receiving unit and authenticating based on the user identification data (122) corresponding to the determined card identification data (121) of the second user data;
the second authentication process unit executes user authentication by determining whether card identification data (121) of the second user data are stored in the storage unit (120) based on the received card identification data (121) by the receiving unit and authenticating based on the user identification data (122) corresponding to the determined card identification data (121) of the second user data and the first user data by accessing the second apparatus (13) by the connecting unit.
An user authentication system (10) comprising;
a first apparatus (17) being an image forming apparatus; and
a second apparatus (11),
the first apparatus (17) comprising;
a first connecting unit configured to connect the second apparatus (11) via a network;
a obtaining unit configured to obtain identification data for user authentication;
a transmitting unit transmit the identification data to the second apparatus (11); and the second apparatus (11) comprising:
a second connecting unit configured to connect the first apparatus (17) and a third apparatus (13) via a network, the third apparatus (13) storing first user data;
a receiving unit configured to receive the identification data transmitted for user authentication of a user using the image forming apparatus (17), by the transmitting unit of the first apparatus (17);
the second apparatus (11) further comprising:
a second authentication process unit configured to execute user authentication of the received identification data by using the first user data by accessing the third apparatus (13) by the second connecting unit;
wherein the control unit (111) executes the second authentication process as the executed user authentication process in case that the third apparatus (13) is selected so as to perform the user authentication process,
wherein the control unit (111) executes the first authentication process as the user authentication process in case that the third apparatus (13) is not selected so as to performing the user authentication process.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 6,
wherein user restriction data is stored in the second apparatus (11),
wherein the second apparatus (11) further comprises an acquiring part (112) configured to acquire the user restriction data from an authenticated user.
The user authentication system (10) as claimed in claim 6 or 7, further comprising:
a setting unit configured to set to execute the user authentication process by the second authentication process unit; and
a determining unit configured to determine whether the first authentication process unit or the second authentication process is executed for the user authentication process based on setting by the setting; wherein
the control unit controls to execute user authentication process by either the first authentication process unit or the second authentication process unit based on determining by the determining unit.
The user authentication system (10) as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein
the obtaining unit obtains card identification data (121) stored in a card for user authentication;
the transmitting unit transmits the card identification data (121) to the second apparatus (11);
the second authentication process unit executes user authentication by determining whether card identification data (121) of the second user data are stored in the storage unit (120) based on the received card identification data (121) by the receiving unit and authenticating based on the user identification data (122) corresponding to the determined card identification data (121) of the second user data and the first user data by accessing the third apparatus (13) by the connecting unit.
An user authentication method executed by at least one of an apparatus (11), comprising;
a connecting step for connecting an image forming apparatus (17) to the apparatus (11);
a receiving step for receiving identification data for user authentication of a user using the image forming apparatus (17);
an authentication process controlling step for controlling execution of a user authentication process of the received identification data, the user authentication process is executed by using either a first user data stored in the apparatus (11) or second user data stored in a server (13) connected to the apparatus (11) via a network;
an authentication process executing step for executing the user authentication process controlled by the controlling step; and
a determining step for determining whether the server (13) is selected or not so as to perform the user authentication process,
wherein the controlling step controls executing a user authentication process based on determining by the determining step,
wherein the authentication process executing step executes the user authentication process by using the first user data in case where the server (13) is not selected and by using the second user data in case where the server (13) is selected.
wherein user restriction data is stored in the apparatus (11); and
an acquiring step for acquiring the user restriction data from an authenticated user.
The user authentication method as claimed in claim 10 to 11, further comprising:
a first extracting step for extracting card identification data included in the first user data based on the received card identification data as the received identification data; and
a second extracting step for extracting user identification data corresponding to the extracted card identification data in the first user data, the first user data including the user identification data and the card identification data corresponding to the user identification data;
the receiving step receives the card identification data stored in the card;
the authentication process controlling step controls executing user authentication process of the user identification data corresponding to the received card identification data;
the user authentication process is executed by using either the user identification data or the user identification data and the second user data stored in a server (13) connecting to the apparatus (11) via a network;
the authentication process executing step executes the user authentication process of the user identification data corresponding to the received card identification data.
EP12195768.2A 2006-03-02 2007-02-22 Management apparatus, image forming apparatus management system Active EP2571242B1 (en)
JP2006056404A JP4801468B2 (en) 2006-03-02 2006-03-02 Management apparatus and image forming apparatus management system
EP07102893.0A EP1830553B1 (en) 2006-03-02 2007-02-22 Management apparatus, image forming apparatus management system
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EP2571242A3 EP2571242A3 (en) 2013-05-22
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