Patent Description:
With recent developments in electronic communication-related technology and network-related technology, various services using such technologies are being developed and released. According to such a trend, an image forming apparatus, such as a multi-function printer (MFP) or a printer, also includes communication equipment, and supports a service using the communication equipment.

In detail, an image forming apparatus may provide a remote control system by using such technologies. In other words, a system by which a user may remotely access an image forming apparatus through a mobile terminal to control the image forming apparatus may be provided. However, according to conventional technology, even when the user is remotely logged in to the image forming apparatus, the user has to perform local login to directly manipulate the image forming apparatus.

For example, the image forming apparatus may support a pull printing function, in which print data is stored in a server and then is output, via user authentication, by any printer capable of connecting to the server. In this case, the user may remotely log in to the image forming apparatus by using the mobile terminal to transmit a document stored in the mobile terminal to the image forming apparatus, and then output the transmitted document by logging in to the image forming apparatus.

Accordingly, even when the user is remotely logged in to the image forming apparatus, the user has to locally log in to the image forming apparatus again to directly manipulate the image forming apparatus.

<CIT> discloses a secure wireless link between two devices using probes. <CIT> discloses device pairing using a method for publishing a code (pin) used to generate a link key for use in establishing a pairing with a printing device which includes generating the pin in the printing device in response to a local pin request and printing the pin in the printing device. <CIT> discloses a secure channel establishment method and an apparatus in short range communication. <CIT> discloses an information processing device, and a job setting method.

Provided are an image forming apparatus, a mobile terminal, and local login processing methods of the image forming apparatus and the mobile terminal, wherein local login is conveniently performed when a user is remotely logged in to the image forming apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a local login processing method of an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus and a local login processing method of a mobile terminal are provided according to the appended claims. Embodiments not falling under the scope of the appended claims are to be considered merely as examples suitable for understanding the invention.

According to an example, local login can be conveniently performed when a user is remotely logged in to an image forming apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a local login processing method of an image forming apparatus, the local login processing method includes: generating session information according to a remote login request upon receiving the remote login request from a mobile terminal; transmitting the session information to the mobile terminal; receiving, from the mobile terminal, a local login request including local login information generated by using at least some of the session information; and approving the local login request by comparing the session information and the local login information.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes: an input and output unit; a communicator transmitting and receiving data to and from a mobile terminal; a memory storing a program for a local login process; a controller executing the program for the local login process to generate session information according to a remote login request upon receiving the remote login request from the mobile terminal, transmit the session information to the mobile terminal, receive, from the mobile terminal, a local login request including local login information generated by using at least some of the session information, and approve the local login request by comparing the session information and the local login information; and an image forming job performer performing an image forming job according to control of the controller.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a local login processing method of a mobile terminal, the local login processing method includes: receiving user information from a user; requesting an image forming apparatus to undertake remote login, based on the user information; receiving and storing session information from the image forming apparatus; generating local login information based on at least some of the session information; and requesting the image forming apparatus to undertake local login, based on the local login information.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a mobile terminal includes: an input and output unit; a communicator communicating with an image forming apparatus; a memory storing a program for a local login process; and a controller executing the program for local login process to receive user information from a user, request the image forming apparatus to undertake remote login based on the user information, receive, from the image forming apparatus, and store session information, generate local login information based on at least some of the session information, and request the image forming apparatus to undertake local login based on the local login information.

Hereinafter, various examples will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. The examples described may be modified and have different forms. For clear description of features of the examples, detailed descriptions related to technologies well-known to one of ordinary skill in the art are omitted.

Meanwhile, in the specification, when a component is "connected" to another component, the component may be "directly connected" to the other component, or may be "connected" to the other component 'via another component therebetween'. Also, when a component "includes" another component, the component may further include other components unless indicated otherwise.

Throughout the specification, an "image forming job" may denote any one of various jobs (for example, printing, scanning, and faxing) related to an image, such as forming of an image or generating/storing/transmitting of an image file, and a "job" may denote not only an image forming job, but may also denote a series of processes required to perform the image forming job.

Also, an "image forming apparatus" may denote any apparatus capable of performing an image forming job, such as a printer, a scanner, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), or a display device.

Also, a "user" may denote a person who performs manipulation related to an image forming job by using an image forming apparatus or a device connected to the image forming apparatus wirelessly or via wires. Also, a "manager" may denote a person who has authority to access all functions and systems of an image forming apparatus. A "manager" and a "user" may be the same person.

Also, "remote login" denotes that a user remotely logs in to an image forming apparatus from a device other than the image forming apparatus.

Also, "local login" denotes that a user logs in to an image forming apparatus by directly manipulating the image forming apparatus.

<FIG> is a diagram of a local login processing system according to an example.

Referring to <FIG>, the local login processing system according to an example may include an image forming apparatus <NUM>, a mobile terminal <NUM>, and a network <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the mobile terminal <NUM> are connected through the network <NUM>.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> supports remote login using the mobile terminal <NUM>. Also, the image forming apparatus <NUM> supports local login using the mobile terminal <NUM>, in addition to local login via a user's direct manipulation. According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may include an apparatus, such as a fax machine, a printer, a multi-function printer (MFP), or the like.

The mobile terminal <NUM> may perform remote login by accessing the image forming apparatus <NUM> through the network <NUM>. Also, the mobile terminal <NUM> may perform local login. According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may include an apparatus, such as a laptop computer, a tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a wearable device, or the like.

The network <NUM> performs a function of connecting the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the mobile terminal <NUM>. According to an example, the network <NUM> may include a wired/wireless network, the Internet, the Intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the like.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a local login processing method in a local login processing system, according to an example.

Referring to <FIG>, first, in operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> receives user identification (ID) and a password (PW) from a user <NUM> to remotely log in to the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Then, in operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> requests the image forming apparatus <NUM> to undertake remote login, based on the user ID and the password (PW) received from the user <NUM>.

Upon receiving a remote login request from the mobile terminal <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> determines whether to approve the remote login, based on user information. According to an example, when the image forming apparatus <NUM> approves the remote login, the image forming apparatus <NUM> generates session information based on the user information.

In operation <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> transmits the generated session information to the mobile terminal <NUM>. As such, when the image forming apparatus <NUM> transmits the session information to the mobile terminal <NUM>, a session between the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the mobile terminal <NUM> begins.

Then, in operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> receives a local login execution command from the user <NUM> to locally login to the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and in operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> requests the image forming apparatus <NUM> for local login.

Upon receiving a local login request from the mobile terminal <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> determines whether to approve the local login based on the session information. When the image forming apparatus <NUM> approves the local login, the user <NUM> may manipulate the image forming apparatus <NUM> in operation <NUM>.

According to an example, the user <NUM> does not need to directly perform local login on the image forming apparatus <NUM> because the mobile terminal <NUM> requests the image forming apparatus <NUM> to undertake the local login by using the session information of the session that has begun. Accordingly, the user <NUM> may conveniently perform the local login through simple manipulation of the mobile terminal <NUM>, for example, through a small number of touch inputs, or the like.

Hereinafter, the local login processing method will be described in more detail with reference to a flow diagram.

<FIG> is a flow diagram of a local login processing method in a local login processing system, according to an example.

First, in operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> receives user information from the user <NUM>. According to an example, the user information may include user ID for identifying the user <NUM> and a password for user authentication. According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may provide a user interface to receive an input from the user <NUM>. The user <NUM> may input the user information by using the user interface provided by the mobile terminal <NUM>. This is described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a user interface of an image forming apparatus, according to an example.

Referring to <FIG>, a user interface, in which a field <NUM> displaying an address value of the image forming apparatus <NUM> to be remotely logged into, a field <NUM> where a user ID is input, a field <NUM> where a password is input, and an input button <NUM> where a login command is input are displayed, is illustrated.

According to an example, the user <NUM> may select the image forming apparatus <NUM> to be remotely logged in, through the field <NUM> displaying the address value of the image forming apparatus <NUM> to be remotely logged in. Also, the user ID and the password are input through the field <NUM> where the user ID is input and the field <NUM> where the password is input, and a remote login command may be input to the mobile terminal <NUM> through the input button <NUM> where the login command is input.

Referring back to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> requests the image forming apparatus <NUM> to undertake remote login, based on the user information received from the user <NUM>. According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may request the remote login by transmitting the user information received from the user <NUM> according to an example to the image forming apparatus <NUM>. In detail, the mobile terminal <NUM> may transmit the user ID and the password received from the user <NUM> to the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

Upon receiving a remote login request from the mobile terminal <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> determines whether to approve the remote login, based on the user information. According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may compare user information, for example, user ID and a password, stored therein with the user information received from the mobile terminal <NUM>, and approve the remote login when the stored user information and the received user information match each other.

According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may store at least one piece of user information in a table form. A table storing user information as such may be referred to as an account table.

When the image forming apparatus <NUM> approves the remote login, the image forming apparatus <NUM> generates session information based on the user information, in operation <NUM>. According to an example, the session information may include session ID, user ID, unique ID (a media access control (MAC) address, a serial number, or the like) of the mobile terminal <NUM>, a session expiration time, etc. The image forming apparatus <NUM> may generate different session information per user. For example, when it is determined that a user is a temporary user, session information having a short session expiration time may be generated.

According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may store the generated session information. In particular, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may store the session information in a table form. A table storing session information as such may be referred to as a session table.

Then, in operation <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> transmits the generated session information to the mobile terminal <NUM>. As such, when the image forming apparatus <NUM> transmits the session information to the mobile terminal <NUM>, a session between the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the mobile terminal <NUM> begins.

According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may store the received session information. The mobile terminal <NUM> may store the session information in a table form. In other words, the session information may be stored in a session table. According to an example, an item stored in the session table of the mobile terminal <NUM> may not match an item stored in a session table of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. For example, the session table of the mobile terminal <NUM> may include session ID, user ID, a printer address, a session expiration time, etc. In other words, unlike the session table of the image forming apparatus <NUM> storing the unique ID of the mobile terminal <NUM>, the session table of the mobile terminal <NUM> may include an address of the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

After the session beings, the mobile terminal <NUM> may receive a local login execution command from the user <NUM>. The user <NUM> may input the local login execution command to the image forming apparatus by using the mobile terminal <NUM>, while being remotely logged in to the image forming apparatus <NUM> by using the mobile terminal <NUM>.

According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may provide a user interface to receive an input from the user <NUM>. The user <NUM> may input the local login execution command by using the user interface provided by the mobile terminal <NUM>. This is described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, when a menu button <NUM> is pressed in the user interface, a local login execution button <NUM>, a local login execution button using near field communication (NFC) <NUM>, a button <NUM> for copying a universal resource locator (URL) to be logged in, and a button <NUM> for accessing a management webpage.

According to an example, the user <NUM> may input a local login command to the mobile terminal <NUM> through the local login execution button <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, when the mobile terminal <NUM> receives the local login execution command from the user <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> generates local login information based on at least some of the received session information, in operation <NUM>. According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may generate a request URL including, as the local login information, the at least some of the session information.

According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may generate the local login information, based on the session ID included in the received session information. This is described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating local login information according to an example.

Referring to <FIG>, the mobile terminal <NUM> may generate a request URL <NUM> including session ID <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the mobile terminal <NUM> may generate the request URL <NUM> including session ID, user ID, unique ID (an MAC address, a serial number, or the like) of the mobile terminal <NUM>, a session expiration time, etc..

Referring back to <FIG>, according to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> generates personal identification number (PIN) code based on the received session information, and generate the local login information based on the generated PIN code. In detail, the mobile terminal <NUM> generates the PIN code by using the session ID, the user ID, the unique ID (MAC address, serial number, or the like) of the mobile terminal <NUM>, the session expiration time, a current time, etc. In this case, the PIN code may be inserted into a location of the session ID <NUM> in the request URL <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Alternatively, the PIN code may be inserted together with the session ID <NUM>.

According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may generate the PIN code by using the same algorithm as the image forming apparatus <NUM>. According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> and the image forming apparatus <NUM> generate the PIN codes by using the same algorithm based on the same session information, such that approval of the local login may be determined by determining whether the PIN codes match each other.

According to an example, when the PIN code is generated by using a current time, but current times in the mobile terminal <NUM> and the image forming apparatus <NUM> are different, the generated PIN codes may be different. In this case, the current times in the mobile terminal <NUM> and the image forming apparatus <NUM> should be matched.

Then, in operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> requests the image forming apparatus <NUM> to undertake local login, based on the local login information. According to an example, also, the mobile terminal <NUM> may request the image forming apparatus for the local login by using various access methods, such as a wireless network, NFC, etc..

The image forming apparatus <NUM> performs operation <NUM> upon receiving, from the mobile terminal <NUM> in operation <NUM>, a local login request including the local login information generated by using at least some of the session information.

In operation <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> approves the local login request by comparing the session information and the local login information. According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may approve the local login request by comparing the session information with the at least some of the session information included in the local login information. In detail, the image forming apparatus <NUM> determines whether the at least some of the session information included in the local login request matches the session information generated and stored in operation <NUM>, and approve the local login request when they match. For example, when the local login information includes the session ID, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may compare the session ID included in the local login information and the session ID stored in the session table of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and approve the local login request when the session IDs match.

According to an example, the local login information may include the PIN code generated by the mobile terminal <NUM> based on the session information. When the local login information includes the PIN code, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may generate the PIN code based on the session information generated and stored in operation <NUM>, and approve the local login request when the generated PIN code and the PIN code included in the local login information match each other. In detail, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may generate the PIN code by using the session ID, the user ID, the unique ID (MAC address, serial number, or the like) of the mobile terminal <NUM>, the session expiration time, the current time, etc..

According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may generate the PIN code by using the same algorithm as the mobile terminal <NUM>. According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the mobile terminal <NUM> generate the PIN codes by using the same algorithm based on the same session information, such that approval of the local login is determined by determining whether the PIN codes match each other.

According to an example, when the PIN code is generated by using a current time, but current times in the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the mobile terminal <NUM> are different, the generated PIN codes may be different. In this case, the current times in the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the mobile terminal <NUM> should be matched.

According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> requests the image forming apparatus <NUM> to undertake the local login by using the session information of the session that has begun, and thus the user <NUM> does not need to directly perform the local login on the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Accordingly, the user <NUM> may conveniently perform the local login through simple manipulation of the mobile terminal <NUM>, for example, through a small number of touch inputs, or the like.

<FIG> and <FIG> are respectively flowcharts of local login processing methods of the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the mobile terminal <NUM>. Details that overlap with the above descriptions will be only briefly described while describing <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a local login processing method of an image forming apparatus, according to an example.

First, in operation <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> receives a remote login request from the mobile terminal <NUM>, and generates session information according to the remote login request. Then, in operation <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> transmits the generated session information to the mobile terminal <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> receives, from the mobile terminal <NUM>, local login request including local login information generated by using at least some of the session information. According to an example, the local login information may include at least one of session ID included in the session information and a PIN code generated based on the session information.

Then, in operation <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> approves the local login request by comparing the session information and the local login information. According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may approve the local login request by comparing the session information and at least some of the session information included in the local login information.

According to an example, when the local login information includes a PIN code, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may generate a PIN code based on the session information, and approve the local login request when the generated PIN code and the PIN code included in the local login information match each other.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a local login processing method of a mobile terminal, according to an example.

First, in operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> receives user information from the user <NUM>. Then, in operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> requests the image forming apparatus <NUM> to undertake remote login, based on the user information.

In operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> receives, from the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and stores session information. Then, in operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> generates local login information based on at least some of the session information. According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may generate the local login information based on session ID included in the session information. Also, the mobile terminal <NUM> may generate a PIN code based on the session information, and generate the local login information based on the generated PIN code.

In operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> may request the image forming apparatus <NUM> to undertake local login, based on the local login information.

A local login processing method of an image forming apparatus according to another example will be described with reference to <FIG>. Details that overlap with the above descriptions will be only briefly described while describing the local login processing method of the image forming apparatus according to another example. In particular, a process of beginning a session between the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the mobile terminal <NUM> is the same as that described above, and thus, such overlapping descriptions will not be fully provided again.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a local login processing method of an image forming apparatus, according to another example.

First, in operation <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> receives a PIN code issue request from the mobile terminal <NUM>. Then, in operation <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> generates a PIN code based on session information, and transmits the generated PIN code to the mobile terminal <NUM>. In detail, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may search for user ID based on the session information, and generate a PIN code corresponding to the user ID. Then, when the image forming apparatus <NUM> receives a PIN code, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may check user ID corresponding to the PIN code.

In operation <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> receives a PIN code through an input and output unit. According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may provide a user interface for manipulation of the user <NUM> and displaying a state. The user <NUM> may manipulate the image forming apparatus <NUM> and check the state by using the user interface provided by the image forming apparatus <NUM>. This is described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a user interface of an image forming apparatus, according to another example.

Referring to <FIG>, a user interface, in which a field <NUM> for selecting a PIN code input menu, a PIN code input field <NUM>, and an input button <NUM> for inputting a login command are displayed, is illustrated.

According to an example, the user <NUM> may input a PIN code into the PIN code input field <NUM>, and input a local login command to the image forming apparatus <NUM> through the input button <NUM> for inputting a login command.

Referring back to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> approves a local login request when the PIN code transmitted to the mobile terminal <NUM> and the received PIN code match each other.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a local login processing method of a mobile terminal, according to another example.

First, in operation <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> requests the image forming apparatus <NUM> to issue a PIN code, according to a user command. According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may request the image forming apparatus <NUM> to issue a PIN code by using session information. In detail, the mobile terminal <NUM> may use session ID. The session information may be used by the image forming apparatus <NUM> to identify the mobile terminal <NUM>.

Then, the mobile terminal <NUM> receives a PIN code from the image forming apparatus <NUM> in operation <NUM>, and displays the received PIN code in operation <NUM>. According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may provide a user interface for manipulation of the user <NUM> and displaying a state. The user <NUM> may manipulate the image forming apparatus <NUM> and check the state by using the user interface provided by the mobile terminal <NUM>. This is described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a user interface of a mobile terminal, according to another example.

Referring to <FIG>, a PIN code <NUM> received from the image forming apparatus <NUM> is displayed to the user <NUM>. According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may emphasize the PIN code <NUM> by blurring a background other than the PIN code <NUM>.

According to another example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may request the image forming apparatus <NUM> for a PIN code by using session information of a session that has begun, and the image forming apparatus <NUM> may generate and transmit, to the mobile terminal <NUM>, a PIN code by using the session information. Accordingly, the user <NUM> may conveniently perform local login via simple manipulation, for example, input of a <NUM>-digit PIN code.

According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may receive and store job setting information from the mobile terminal <NUM>, and when the user <NUM> locally logs in, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may display a job setting state to which the stored job setting information is applied. A setting storing and importing method between an image forming apparatus and a mobile terminal will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagrams for describing a job setting storing and importing method according to an example.

According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may receive a job setting value from the user <NUM>, and store the job setting value as job setting information.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may receive the job setting value from the user <NUM> by providing a field <NUM> for inputting the number of copies, a color or mono select button <NUM>, and a simplex or duplex select button <NUM>.

Then, the mobile terminal <NUM> transmits the stored job setting information to the image forming apparatus <NUM>. According to an example, while transmitting the job setting information, session information may be used to identify a user of a job setting.

Referring to <FIG>, transmitted data includes session ID <NUM> together with job setting values <NUM> through <NUM>. The image forming apparatus <NUM> may receive the job setting information, and check the session information to identify the user of the job setting.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> stores the received job setting information. Referring to <FIG>, according to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may store the job setting information in a table form. As such, a table storing the job setting information may be referred to as a user configuration table.

Then, when a local login request is approved, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may apply the stored job setting information, based on local login information. According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may identify the user by using the session information included in the local login information, and apply the job setting information of the user.

Then, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may display a job setting state to which the job setting information is applied.

According to an example, the user <NUM> may use a setting used by the mobile terminal <NUM> as it is in the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

According to an example, when the mobile terminal <NUM> has a plurality of valid sessions, the mobile terminal <NUM> may change a session according to selection of the user <NUM>. A session changing process will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> are diagrams for describing a session changing process of a mobile terminal, according to an example.

According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may display a list of valid image forming apparatuses, based on session information that is currently stored.

Referring to <FIG>, the list includes a printer A <NUM>, a printer B <NUM>, and a printer C <NUM>. In <FIG>, a printer name is displayed in the list, but a valid printer may be displayed in a printer internet protocol (IP) address. For example, instead of the printer A, <NUM>. <NUM>, i.e., an IP address of the printer A, may be displayed.

Then, the mobile terminal <NUM> receives, from the user <NUM>, an input of selecting one of the image forming apparatuses displayed in the list. The mobile terminal <NUM> may execute a session corresponding to an image forming apparatus selected by the user <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a session table stored in the mobile terminal <NUM>. According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may search the session table for session ID corresponding to the image forming apparatus selected by the user <NUM>, and execute a session corresponding to the session ID.

According to an example, when a plurality of sessions are executed, the user <NUM> may conveniently change a session.

According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may generate a management webpage address of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, based on local login information, and access the management webpage address of the image forming apparatus <NUM> or transmit the management webpage address of the image forming apparatus <NUM> to a set device.

According to an example, the user <NUM> may conveniently access the management webpage address of the image forming apparatus <NUM> by using already-generated session information.

Meanwhile, the above examples may be embodied in a form of a computer-readable recording medium storing computer-executable instructions and data. At least one of the instructions and data may be stored in a form of a program code, and may perform a certain operation by generating a certain program module when executed by a processor.

The computer-readable recording medium may denote, for example, a magnetic storage medium, such as a hard disk, or an optical recording medium, such as a CD or a DVD, or may denote a memory included in a server accessible through a network. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be at least one of a memory <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> and a memory of an input and output unit <NUM>, or may be a memory <NUM> included in the mobile terminal <NUM> connected to the image forming apparatus <NUM> through a network.

Hereinafter, configurations of apparatuses forming a login processing system, i.e., the image forming apparatus <NUM> and the mobile terminal <NUM>, are described in detail.

<FIG> is a diagram of a structure of an image forming apparatus, according to an example.

Referring to <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> according to an example may include the input and output unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a communicator <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and an image forming job unit <NUM>. Also, although not illustrated, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may further include a power source for supplying power to each component.

The input and output unit <NUM> may include an input unit for receiving, from a user, an input for performing an image forming job or the like, and an output unit for displaying information, such as a result of performing the image forming job, a state of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, or the like. For example, the input and output unit <NUM> may include an operation panel receiving a user input, a display panel displaying a screen, etc..

In detail, the input unit may include apparatuses capable of receiving various types of user inputs, such as a keyboard, a physical button, a touch screen, a camera, and a microphone. Also, the output unit may include, for example, a display panel, a speaker, or the like. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the input and output unit <NUM> may include an apparatus supporting various inputs and outputs.

Meanwhile, the input and output unit <NUM> may include an independent control system. In other words, in addition to the controller <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, the input and output unit <NUM> may include a control system (a controller, a memory, etc.) for controlling a user interface (UI) provided by the input and output unit <NUM>. Also, an operating system (OS) for providing a UI, and programs, such as applications for supporting various functions, may be installed in the control system of the input and output unit <NUM>. In this case, the input and output unit <NUM> may include an input and output controller, a display unit, an operation panel, and a memory.

According to an example, the input and output unit <NUM> may include an independent control system (an input and output controller and a memory) separately from the controller <NUM>. The input and output controller and the memory may control a user interface provided by the input and output unit <NUM>. The input and output controller may include a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), like the controller <NUM>, but the input and output unit <NUM> may not include the input and output controller, but the controller <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> may replace the input and output controller. Also, the display unit may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel or an organic light-emitting display (OLED) panel, and the operation panel may include a physical button, a touch screen, or the like.

Meanwhile, the input and output unit <NUM> may be separated from the image forming apparatus <NUM>. For example, the input and output unit <NUM> may operate similarly to a tablet PC when separated from the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and perform an input and output function when combined to the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The input and output unit <NUM> that is separable may further include a communicator for communicating with an external apparatus.

According to an example, the input and output unit <NUM> may receive, from the user, a PIN code for local login.

The controller <NUM> may control overall operations of the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and include a processor, such as a CPU. The controller <NUM> may control other components included in the image forming apparatus <NUM> to perform operations corresponding to a user input received through the input and output unit <NUM>.

For example, the controller <NUM> may execute a program stored in the memory <NUM>, read a file stored in the memory <NUM>, or store a new file in the memory <NUM>.

According to an example, the controller <NUM> may execute a program for processing local login to generate session information according to a remote login request by receiving the remote login request from the mobile terminal <NUM>, transmit the session information to the mobile terminal <NUM>, receive, from the mobile terminal <NUM>, a local login request including local login information generated by using at least some of the session information, and approve the local login request by comparing the session information and the local login information. Here, the local login information may include at least one of session ID included in the session information and a PIN code generated based on the session information. When the local login information includes a PIN code, the controller <NUM> may generate a PIN code based on the session information, and approve the local login request when the generated PIN code and the PIN code included in the local login information match each other. Here, the controller <NUM> may generate the PIN code by using the same algorithm as the mobile terminal <NUM>.

According to an example, the controller <NUM> may approve the local login request by comparing the session information and the at least some of the session information included in the local login request.

Also, according to an example, the controller <NUM> may receive a PIN code issue request from the mobile terminal <NUM>, generate and transmit, to the mobile terminal <NUM>, a PIN code based on the session information, and receive a PIN code through the input and output unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may approve the local login request when the PIN code transmitted to the mobile terminal <NUM> and the received PIN code match each other.

In addition, the controller <NUM> may receive, from the mobile terminal <NUM>, and store job setting information, apply the stored job setting information based on the local login information when the local login request is approved, and display, on the input and output unit <NUM>, a job setting state to which the stored job setting information is applied.

The communicator <NUM> may perform wired/wireless communication with another device or a network. Accordingly, the communicator <NUM> may include a communication module supporting at least one of various wired/wireless communication methods. For example, the communication module may be in a form of a chipset, or may be a sticker/barcode (for example, a sticker including an NFC tag) including information necessary for communication.

Wireless communication may include, for example, at least one of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, a ultra wide band (UWB), and NFC. Wired communication may include, for example, at least one of universal serial bus (USB) and high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI).

The communicator <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal or data by being connected to an external apparatus located outside the image forming apparatus <NUM>. According to an example, the image forming apparatus <NUM> may be connected to the mobile terminal <NUM> through the communicator <NUM>. The communicator <NUM> may transmit a signal or data received from the mobile terminal <NUM> to the controller <NUM>, or transmit a signal or data generated by the controller <NUM> to the mobile terminal <NUM>. For example, when the communicator <NUM> receives the remote login request or the local login request from the mobile terminal <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may determine whether to approve the remote login or the local login. Also, when the communicator <NUM> receives a print command signal and print data from the mobile terminal <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may output the received print data through the image forming job unit <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the communicator <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal or data by being directly connected to a server. Also, the communicator <NUM> may be connected to the mobile terminal <NUM> through the server. In other words, the communicator <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal or data to or from the mobile terminal <NUM> through the server.

A program, such as an application, and various types of data, such as a file, may be installed and stored in the memory <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may access and use data stored in the memory <NUM>, or store new data in the memory <NUM>. Also, the controller <NUM> may execute a program installed in the memory <NUM>. Also, the controller <NUM> may install, in the memory <NUM>, an application received from an external source through the communicator <NUM>.

According to an example, the memory <NUM> may store a program for processing the local login.

The image forming job unit <NUM> may perform an image forming job, such as printing, scanning, faxing, or the like.

<FIG> is a diagram of a structure of a mobile terminal, according to an example.

Referring to <FIG>, the mobile terminal <NUM> may include an input and output unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a communicator <NUM>, and the memory <NUM>.

The input and output unit <NUM> may include an input unit into which the user <NUM> inputs data for controlling the mobile terminal <NUM>, and an output unit for displaying information processed by the mobile terminal <NUM>.

In detail, the input unit may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a touch capacitance type, a pressure resistance film type, an infrared light detecting type, a surface ultrasound conducting type, an integral tension measuring type, or a piezo-effect type), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Also, the output unit may output an audio signal, a video signal, or a vibration signal, and may include a display, a speaker, a vibration motor, etc. Here, the display may be configured as a touch screen by forming a layer structure with a touch pad. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the input and output unit <NUM> may include an apparatus supporting various inputs and outputs.

According to an example, the input and output unit <NUM> may receive, from the user <NUM>, user information, a local login execution command, a job setting value, an input of selecting one image forming apparatus from a list of valid image forming apparatuses, etc. Also, the input and output unit <NUM> may display a user interface, a PIN code, the list of valid image forming apparatuses, a web browser, or the like, to receive an input from the user <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> controls overall operations of the mobile terminal <NUM>, and may include a processor, such as a CPU. The controller <NUM> may control other components include din the mobile terminal <NUM> to perform an operation corresponding to a user input received through the input and output unit <NUM>.

According to an example, the controller <NUM> may execute a program for processing local login to receive user information from the user <NUM>, request the image forming apparatus <NUM> to undertake remote login based on the user information, receive, from the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and store session information, generate local login information based on at least some of the session information, and request the image forming apparatus to undertake local login based on the local login information.

According to an example, the controller <NUM> may generate the local login information based on session ID included in the session information and/or generate PIN code based on the session information and generate the local login information based on the generated PIN code. Here, the controller <NUM> may generate the PIN code by using the same algorithm as the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

According to an example, the controller <NUM> may control the input and output unit <NUM> to request the image forming apparatus <NUM> to issue a PIN code, receive a PIN code from the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and display the received PIN code.

According to an example, the controller <NUM> may receive a job setting value from the user <NUM>, store the job setting value as job setting information, and transmit the stored job setting information to the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

According to an example, the controller <NUM> may control the input and output unit <NUM> to display a list of valid image forming apparatuses based on currently-stored session information and receive, from the user <NUM>, an input of selecting the image forming apparatus <NUM> from the list, and may execute a session corresponding to the image forming apparatus <NUM> selected by the user <NUM>.

According to an example, the controller <NUM> may generate a management webpage address of the image forming apparatus <NUM> based on the local login information, and access the management webpage address of the image forming apparatus <NUM> or transmit the management webpage address of the image forming apparatus <NUM> to a set device.

Wireless communication may include, for example, at least one of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, UWB, and NFC. Wired communication may include, for example, at least one of USB and HDMI.

The communicator <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal or data by being connected to an external apparatus located outside the mobile terminal <NUM>. According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> may be connected to the image forming apparatus <NUM> through the communicator <NUM>. The communicator <NUM> may transmit, to the controller <NUM>, a signal or data received from the image forming apparatus <NUM>, or transmit, to the image forming apparatus <NUM>, a signal or data generated by the controller <NUM>. For example, when the controller <NUM> transmits a signal to the communicator <NUM> to perform remote login or local login, the communicator <NUM> may transmit a remote login request or a local login request to the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the communicator <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal or data by being directly connected to a server. Also, the communicator <NUM> may be connected to the image forming apparatus <NUM> through the server. In other words, the communicator <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal or data to or from the image forming apparatus <NUM> through the server.

According to an example, the memory <NUM> may store a program for processing local login.

According to an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> requests the image forming apparatus to undertake local login by using session information of a session that has already begun, and thus the user <NUM> does not need to directly perform local login on the image forming apparatus <NUM>. Accordingly, the user <NUM> may conveniently perform local login through simple manipulation of the mobile terminal <NUM>, for example, a small number of touch inputs, or the like.

Claim 1:
A local login processing method of an image forming apparatus (<NUM>), the local login processing method comprising:
generating session information according to a remote login request upon receiving the remote login request from a mobile terminal (<NUM>);
transmitting the session information to the mobile terminal (<NUM>);
receiving, from the mobile terminal (<NUM>), a local login request comprising local login information generated by using at least some of the session information; and
approving the local login request by comparing the session information and the local login information,
wherein the local login information comprises a session identification, ID, included in the session information or a personal identification number, PIN, code generated based on the session information, and
wherein, when the local login information comprises the PIN code, the approving of the local login request based on the session information comprises:
generating a PIN code based on the session information; and
approving the local login request when the generated PIN code and the PIN code comprised in the local login information match each other.