JP7589773B2 - Information processing device, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program.

There is a known security print function that allows a user to print highly secure data using a printing device such as a printer only after going to the location of the printing device and completing an authentication operation on the printing device before printing can begin (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

For example, in local government offices and other organizations, multifunction devices used by employees for work may require authentication to use functions such as copying to ensure security. After authenticating, employees can use the various functions of the multifunction device.

Incidentally, local governments and other organizations sometimes wish to provide copy services as part of services for residents. However, preparing a dedicated multifunction printer for resident services that does not require authentication operations can be difficult from a cost perspective. On the other hand, if a multifunction printer used by employees for work is used as a multifunction printer for resident services, it is necessary to prepare IC cards, etc., necessary for residents who use the copy service to perform authentication operations, and to lend out these IC cards, etc.

An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that allows a function to be used by canceling authentication.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device having an operation panel , comprising: a first reception means for receiving input of destination information via the operation panel ; a generation means for generating release information for release of authentication; a release information transmission means for transmitting the release information generated by the generation means to a destination indicated by the destination information received by the first reception means; a storage means for storing the release information to be transmitted to the destination information and a number of times a function of the information processing device is used in association with each other; a second reception means for receiving input of release information for release of the authentication from a user; and a management means for managing the authentication so as not to release the authentication if the release information received by the second reception means is not the release information transmitted by the release information transmission means, wherein the management means determines whether the number of times of use associated with the release information has reached an upper limit if the release information received by the second reception means is the release information transmitted by the release information transmission means, and releases the authentication if the number of times of use associated with the release information has not reached the upper limit.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device that allows functions to be used by canceling authentication.

1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a smartphone according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of authentication management information. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of release code information. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of an example of processing of the information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a screen transition diagram of an example of the information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen image in which an error message is displayed. 11 is an image diagram of an example of a process for canceling authentication of a copy function.

Each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that in this embodiment, an example will be described in which a multifunction device used by local government employees for work is allowed to be used by residents, but the present invention is not limited to local governments, employees, and residents. For example, an embodiment may be one in which a multifunction device used by store clerks for work is allowed to be used by customers.

[First embodiment]
<System Configuration>
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. The information processing system 1 in Fig. 1 includes a mobile terminal 10, a multifunction device 12, and a network 14. The network 14 is a mobile phone network capable of data communication, a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or the like.

The multifunction machine 12 is also called an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) and is an example of an image forming device. An image forming device is also an example of an information processing device that provides functions to a user. In this way, the multifunction machine 12 is an example of an information processing device that provides functions to a user. Information processing devices that provide functions to a user may be, for example, a PJ (Projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board: a white board with an electronic blackboard function that allows mutual communication), an output device such as a digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machinery, an imaging device, a sound collection device, medical equipment, a network home appliance, an automobile (Connected Car), a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, or a desktop PC.

The multifunction device 12 is used by staff members for their work, and to ensure security, authentication procedures such as IC card authentication or input of ID and password into the operation panel are required to use functions such as copying. After the authentication procedures are successfully completed, the multifunction device 12 provides various functions such as copying to the staff members.

The mobile terminal 10 is, for example, a terminal operated by a resident visiting a local government office, and is a PC, tablet terminal, or smartphone that can receive and display or output an unlock code, described below, from the multifunction device 12 based on destination information corresponding to the resident, such as a mobile phone number or email address. The resident can use the copy function of the multifunction device 12 by using the unlock code received by the mobile terminal 10, as described below. At this time, the multifunction device 12 provides the copy function to the resident without requiring staff to perform authentication operations to use functions such as the copy function.

Note that the configuration of the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example. For example, at least some of the functions of the multifunction device 12 may be realized by another information processing device. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the multifunction device 12 may be provided in the mobile terminal 10.

<Hardware Configuration>
《Smartphone》
The mobile terminal 10 in Fig. 1 is realized by, for example, a smartphone 400 having a hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the smartphone 400. As shown in Fig. 2, the smartphone 400 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an EEPROM 404, a CMOS sensor 405, an image sensor I/F 406, an acceleration/direction sensor 407, a media I/F 409, and a GPS receiver 411.

Of these, the CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the smartphone 400. The ROM 402 stores the CPU 401 and programs used to drive the CPU 401, such as the IPL. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401. The EEPROM 404 reads and writes various data, such as smartphone programs, under the control of the CPU 401.

The CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 405 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject (mainly a self-portrait) under the control of the CPU 401 to obtain image data. Note that instead of a CMOS sensor, the imaging means may be a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or other such imaging means. The imaging element I/F 406 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 405.

The acceleration/azimuth sensor 407 is a variety of sensors, such as an electronic magnetic compass that detects geomagnetism, a gyrocompass, and an acceleration sensor. The media I/F 409 controls the reading and writing (storage) of data from and to the recording medium 408, such as a flash memory. The GPS receiver 411 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites.

The smartphone 400 also includes a long-distance communication circuit 412, a CMOS sensor 413, an image sensor I/F 414, a microphone 415, a speaker 416, an audio input/output I/F 417, a display 418, an external device connection I/F (Interface) 419, a short-distance communication circuit 420, an antenna 420a of the short-distance communication circuit 420, and a touch panel 421.

Of these, the long-distance communication circuit 412 is a circuit that communicates with other devices via the network 14. The CMOS sensor 413 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject and obtains image data under the control of the CPU 401. The image sensor I/F 414 is a circuit that controls the operation of the CMOS sensor 413. The microphone 415 is a built-in circuit that converts sound into an electrical signal. The speaker 416 is a built-in circuit that converts an electrical signal into physical vibrations to generate sounds such as music and voice. The audio input/output I/F 417 is a circuit that processes the input and output of audio signals between the microphone 415 and the speaker 416 under the control of the CPU 401. The display 418 is a type of display means such as a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) that displays images of a subject and various icons.

The external device connection I/F 419 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The short-range communication circuit 420 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The touch panel 421 is a type of input means that allows a user such as a resident to operate the smartphone 400 by pressing the display 418. The smartphone 400 also includes a bus line 410. The bus line 410 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 401 shown in FIG. 2.

《Multifunction printer》
The hardware configuration of the multifunction device 12 included in the information processing system 1 is, for example, as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the multifunction device 12 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the multifunction device 12 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I/F 950.

Of these, the controller 910 has a CPU 901, which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907, which is a storage unit, a HDD controller 908, and a HD 909, which is also a storage unit, and is configured such that the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

Of these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the multifunction device 12. The NB 903 is a bridge that connects the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, SB 904, and AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

The MEM-P 902 is composed of a ROM 902a, which is a memory for storing programs and data that realize the various functions of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b, which is used for expanding the programs and data, and as a drawing memory during memory printing. The programs stored in the RAM 902b may be provided by recording them in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

SB904 is a bridge for connecting NB903 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. ASIC906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing purposes that has hardware elements for image processing, and acts as a bridge connecting AGP bus921, PCI bus922, HDD908, and MEM-C907.

This ASIC 906 is composed of a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC 906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 907, multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 via a PCI bus 922. Note that a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface may be connected to the ASIC 906.

MEM-C907 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and code buffer. HD909 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. HD909 controls the reading and writing of data from and to HD909 under the control of CPU901. AGP bus921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing, and can speed up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing MEM-P902 at high throughput. In addition, short-range communication circuit 920 is equipped with short-range communication circuit 920a. Short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth.

The engine control unit 930 is further made up of a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. The operation panel 940 has a panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel that displays a setting screen, a selection screen, a start key for receiving a copy start instruction, etc. and receives input from the operator, and an operation panel 940b consisting of a numeric keypad or the like that receives setting values for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions. The controller 910 controls the entire multifunction device 12, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 940. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing unit such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

The MFP 12 can sequentially switch between the document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function using the application switching key on the operation panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the MFP 12 enters document box mode, when the copy function is selected, the copy mode is selected, when the printer function is selected, the printer mode is selected, and when the facsimile mode is selected, the facsimile mode is selected.

The network I/F 950 is an interface for data communication using the network 14. The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network I/F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via the PCI bus 922.

When authentication using an IC card is used, the multifunction device 12 has a built-in or external IC card reader. The multifunction device 12 reads the identification information unique to the IC card from the RF tag embedded in the IC card via wireless communication. The IC card may be built into a smart device such as a smartphone 400. The multifunction device 12 may also use something other than an IC card reader, and may use a biometric authentication device (fingerprint, palm print, iris, face, etc.) or a barcode reader, etc.

<Functional configuration>
The information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment is realized by, for example, the functional configuration shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. In the functional configuration of Fig. 4, configurations unnecessary for the description of the present embodiment are appropriately omitted.

The mobile terminal 10 has an unlock code receiving unit 20 and an unlock code display unit 22. The unlock code receiving unit 20 of the mobile terminal 10 receives the unlock code from the multifunction device 12. The unlock code display unit 22 displays the unlock code received from the multifunction device 12 on the display 418.

The multifunction device 12 has a basic function section 30 and an extended function section 50. The basic function section 30 provides the basic functions of the multifunction device 12. The extended function section 50 provides extended functions that are realized by executing a resident service application (resident service app), which is an example of an extended application.

The basic function unit 30 has an authentication processing unit 32, an authentication management unit 34, a copy function unit 36, a copy function authentication SW unit 38, a fax function unit 40, a fax function authentication SW unit 42, a scanner function unit 44, a scanner function authentication SW unit 46, and an extended function startup control unit 48.

The authentication processing unit 32 performs processing related to authentication operations, such as authentication using an IC card or authentication by inputting an ID and password into the operation panel 940. The authentication management unit 34 manages the authentication operations required to use functions such as the copy function.

The copy function unit 36 performs processing related to the copy function. The copy function authentication SW unit 38 switches the authentication operation required to use the copy function unit 36 between ON (setting) and OFF (cancellation) in response to a request from the authentication management unit 34. If the copy function authentication SW unit 38 is ON (setting), the copy function unit 36 requires authentication operation to use the copy function. Also, if the copy function authentication SW unit 38 is OFF (cancellation), the copy function unit 36 does not require authentication operation to use the copy function.

The fax function unit 40 performs processing related to the fax function. The fax function authentication SW unit 42 switches the authentication operation required to use the fax function unit 40 between ON (setting) and OFF (cancellation) in response to a request from the authentication management unit 34. If the fax function authentication SW unit 42 is ON (setting), the fax function unit 40 requires authentication operation to use the fax function. Also, if the fax function authentication SW unit 42 is OFF (cancellation), the fax function unit 40 does not require authentication operation to use the fax function.

The scanner function unit 44 performs processing related to the scanner function. The scanner function authentication SW unit 46 switches the authentication operation required to use the scanner function unit 44 between ON (setting) and OFF (cancellation) in response to a request from the authentication management unit 34. If the scanner function authentication SW unit 46 is ON (setting), the scanner function unit 44 requires an authentication operation to use the scanner function. Also, if the scanner function authentication SW unit 46 is OFF (cancellation), the scanner function unit 44 does not require an authentication operation to use the scanner function.

The extended function startup control unit 48 receives a startup operation for the resident service app on the operation panel 940, such as pressing the resident service button described below, and controls the startup of the extended function unit 50 by executing the resident service app.

The extended function unit 50 has an extended function UI control unit 52, a mobile phone number input reception unit 54, an unlock code generation unit 56, an unlock code storage unit 58, an unlock code transmission unit 60, an authentication unlock judgment unit 62, an authentication unlock request unit 64, a copy function activation request unit 66, and an authentication setting request unit 68.

The extended function UI control unit 52 controls the display of the screen UI of the resident service app on the operation panel 940. The mobile phone number input acceptance unit 54 accepts input of a mobile phone number for the screen UI of the resident service app. The mobile phone number is an example of resident destination information. The release code generation unit 56 generates an release code for allowing the use of the copy function without requiring authentication operations.

The release code storage unit 58 stores the mobile phone numbers input by residents during a predetermined period (e.g., one day) in association with the release codes sent to those mobile phone numbers. The release code sending unit 60 sends the release codes to the mobile phone numbers input by residents using SMS (Short Message Service) communication.

The authentication deactivation determination unit 62 determines to deactivate the authentication for the copy function when the deactivation code sent by the deactivation code sending unit 60 is entered into the screen UI of the resident service app. In addition, the authentication deactivation determination unit 62 determines to set authentication for the copy function when it detects that the resident has finished using the copy function.

The authentication deactivation request unit 64 requests the authentication management unit 34 of the basic function unit 30 to deactivate the authentication for the copy function based on the decision by the authentication deactivation decision unit 62 to deactivate the authentication for the copy function. The copy function activation request unit 66 requests the copy function unit 36 of the basic function unit 30 to activate a copy application. When the authentication setting request unit 68 detects that the resident has finished using the copy function, for example, when the copy job ends or the resident presses the end button, it requests the authentication management unit 34 of the basic function unit 30 to set the authentication for the copy function.

Figure 5 is a configuration diagram of an example of authentication management information. The authentication management information in Figure 5 is managed, for example, by the authentication management unit 34 of the basic function unit 30. The authentication management information associates a function name with an authentication state. The authentication state of the authentication management information indicates whether the function indicated by the function name is in an authentication-deactivated state in which no authentication operation is required to use the function, or an authentication-enabled state in which an authentication operation is required to use the function. Therefore, in the case of the authentication management information in Figure 5, no authentication operation is required to use the copy function.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of release code information. The release code information in Figure 6 is stored in the release code storage unit 58 of the extended function unit 50, and stores the mobile phone number input by the resident during a specified period of time in association with the release code sent to that mobile phone number. The release code information in Figure 6 is an example, and may include, for example, information on the date and time when the release code was sent, and information on whether or not the copy function was used with that release code.

<Processing>
The information processing system 1 according to this embodiment allows a resident to use the copy function of the multifunction device 12 without imposing an authentication operation such as authentication using an IC card or authentication by inputting an ID and password into the operation panel 940, for example, in the procedure shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram of an example of processing of the information processing system according to this embodiment. Fig. 8 is a screen transition diagram of an example of the information processing system according to this embodiment. Fig. 9 is an image diagram of an example of a screen on which an error message is displayed.

When started, the multifunction device 12 displays, for example, the menu screen 1000 in FIG. 8 on the operation panel 940. The menu screen 1000 in FIG. 8 has a display field where the staff member performs authentication by inputting an ID and password, as well as a resident service button that enables the resident user to start up a resident service app.

In step S10, the resident presses the resident service button. When the resident service button is pressed, the extended function start-up control unit 48 of the multifunction device 12 proceeds to step S12 and starts the extended function unit 50 by executing the resident service app.

The process proceeds to step S14, where the extended function UI control unit 52 of the extended function unit 50 controls the display of the resident service app screen 1100a of FIG. 8, for example, as an example of a screen UI for the resident service app, on the operation panel 940. The resident service app screen 1100a includes an input field for a mobile phone number, an SMS send button, an input field for an unlock code, and an OK button.

In step S16, the resident enters the mobile phone number of his/her mobile terminal 10 in the mobile phone number input field, for example, as shown in the resident service app screen 1100b in FIG. 8, and presses the SMS send button. The mobile phone number input acceptance unit 54 of the extended function unit 50 accepts the input of the mobile phone number on the resident service app screen 1100b and the pressing of the SMS send button.

The process proceeds to step S18, where the release code generation unit 56 of the extended function unit 50 generates an release code and stores the release code in the release code storage unit 58 in association with the mobile phone number entered on the resident service app screen 1100b. The process proceeds to step S20, where the release code transmission unit 60 transmits the release code to the mobile phone number entered on the resident service app screen 1100b using SMS communication.

The mobile terminal 10 that receives the release code by SMS communication displays the screen 1200 showing the release code on the display 418. In addition, the multifunction device 12 that transmits the release code to the mobile terminal 10 by SMS communication proceeds to step S22, and performs control to display, for example, the resident service app screen 1100c of FIG. 8 waiting for entry of the release code on the operation panel 940.

In step S24, the resident can check the release code on screen 1200 displayed on his/her mobile terminal 10. In step S26, the resident enters the release code displayed on his/her mobile terminal 10, for example, as shown in resident service app screen 1100d in FIG. 8, and presses the OK button.

In step S28, the authentication release judgment unit 62 of the extended function unit 50 checks whether the release code entered on the resident service app screen 1100d in FIG. 8 is the release code sent to the resident's mobile phone number in step S20. The authentication release judgment unit 62 also checks whether the upper limit on the number of times the copy function can be used by the resident service app has been reached by referring to the release code information shown in FIG. 6.

For example, the authentication release determination unit 62 can provide the copy function to residents while imposing usage restrictions by limiting the number of times the copy function can be used by the resident service app to, for example, three times. In addition, by storing the number of copies used in association with the release code information shown in FIG. 6, the authentication release determination unit 62 can also limit the number of times the copy function can be used by the resident service app to, for example, 30 sheets.

The authentication deactivation determination unit 62 determines to deactivate the authentication for the copy function if the entered deactivation code is the deactivation code sent to the resident's mobile phone number in step S20 and if the upper limit on the number of times the copy function can be used by the resident service app has not been reached. Based on the determination by the authentication deactivation determination unit 62 to deactivate the authentication for the copy function, the authentication deactivation request unit 64 requests the authentication management unit 34 of the basic function unit 30 to deactivate the authentication for the copy function in step S32.

In step S34, the authentication management unit 34 requests the copy function authentication SW unit 38 to de-authenticate the copy function, and switches it from ON (setting), which requires authentication operations to use the copy function unit 36, to OFF (deactivating), which does not require authentication operations to use the copy function unit 36.

In step S36, the copy function activation request unit 66 of the extended function unit 50 requests the copy function unit 36 of the basic function unit 30 to activate a copy application. The process proceeds to step S38, and the basic function unit 30 of the multifunction device 12 provides the copy function to the resident. In step S40, the resident makes a copy using the copy function of the multifunction device 12.

In step S42, the authentication setting request unit 68 of the extended function unit 50 polls the basic function unit 30 to confirm, for example, that printing is complete, indicating that the resident has finished using the copy function. In step S44, when the printing is complete, it requests the authentication management unit 34 of the basic function unit 30 to set the authentication for the copy function. In step S48, the authentication management unit 34 requests the copy function authentication SW unit 38 to set the authentication for the copy function, and switches the setting from OFF (disabled), which does not require authentication operation to use the copy function unit 36, to ON (enabled), which requires authentication operation to use the copy function unit 36. In step S50, the multifunction device 12 displays, for example, the menu screen 1000 of FIG. 8 on the operation panel 940.

If the upper limit of the number of times the copy function of the resident service app can be used has been reached in step S30, the authentication deactivation judgment unit 62 displays the resident service app screen 1100e of FIG. 9 on the operation panel 940 to let the resident know that the upper limit of the number of times the copy function of the resident service app can be used has been exceeded. If the entered deactivation code is not the deactivation code sent to the resident's mobile phone number in step S20, the authentication deactivation judgment unit 62 displays the resident service app screen 1100f of FIG. 9 on the operation panel 940 to let the resident know that the deactivation code is incorrect.

Figure 10 is an image diagram of an example of the process of de-authentication of the copy function. As shown in Figure 10, when the copy function authentication SW unit 38 is turned OFF, the copy function unit 36 enters an authentication-deactivated (authentication OFF) state in which no authentication operation is required for use. When the copy function authentication SW unit 38 is turned ON, the copy function unit 36 enters an authentication-set (authentication ON) state in which authentication operation is required for use.

The ON/OFF switching of the copy function authentication SW unit 38 is performed by the authentication management unit 34. The extended function unit 50 can make the copy function unit 36 in an authentication-deactivated (authentication OFF) state in which no authentication operation is required for use by making an authentication deactivation request for the copy function to the authentication management unit 34. The extended function unit 50 can also make the copy function unit 36 in an authentication-activated (authentication ON) state in which authentication operation is required for use by making an authentication setting request for the copy function to the authentication management unit 34.

The extended function unit 50 can realize the release code sending unit 60 by the SMS communication module 104. The extended function unit 50 can realize the release code generating unit 56 by the authentication code generating module 106. The extended function unit 50 can also detect the print completion state from the print engine 102. The multifunction device platform 100 is the environment in which software such as applications of the multifunction device 12 operates, and performs, for example, management of hardware resources commonly required by applications, execution control, and image formation processing.

<Other embodiments>
In this embodiment, an example in which the destination information is a mobile phone number has been described, but the same can be achieved if the destination information is an email address. If the destination information is an email address, the release code is sent by email. The resident can check the release code sent by email, enter it as shown in, for example, the resident service app screen 1100d in FIG. 8, and press the OK button.

In addition, in this embodiment, the release code is generated after the resident service button is pressed on the menu screen 1000 displayed on the operation panel 940 of the multifunction device 12, but this is not limited to the example. For example, if a resident visits a city hall and uses a card associated with that resident to receive a card, and there is a procedure for issuing a paper with a reception number or other information printed on it, the release code may be generated at this stage and printed on the paper along with the release code.

Each function of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (digital signal processor), FPGA (field programmable gate array), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each function described above.

The devices described in the examples are merely illustrative of one of several computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein.

The release code generation unit 56 is an example of a generation means described in the claims. The release code transmission unit 60 is an example of a release information transmission means. The authentication management unit 34 is an example of a management means. A resident is an example of a user.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 10 Mobile terminal 12 Multifunction device 14 Network 20 Release code receiving unit 22 Release code display unit 30 Basic function unit 32 Authentication processing unit 34 Authentication management unit 36 Copy function unit 38 Copy function authentication SW unit 40 Fax function unit 42 Fax function authentication SW unit 44 Scanner function unit 46 Scanner function authentication SW unit 48 Extended function start control unit 50 Extended function unit 52 Extended function UI control unit 54 Mobile phone number input reception unit 56 Release code generation unit 58 Release code storage unit 60 Release code transmission unit 62 Authentication release judgment unit 64 Authentication release request unit 66 Copy function start request unit 68 Authentication setting request unit 1000 Menu screen 1100a to 1100f Resident service app screen

JP 2013-95118 A

Claims (9)

An information processing device having an operation panel ,
a first receiving unit for receiving input of destination information via the operation panel ;
A generating means for generating deactivation information for deactivating the authentication;
a release information transmitting means for transmitting the release information generated by the generating means to a destination indicated by the destination information received by the first receiving means;
a storage means for storing the release information to be transmitted to the destination information and the number of times the function of the information processing device is used in association with each other;
A second receiving means for receiving from a user an input of deactivation information for deactivating the authentication;
a management means for managing the authentication so as not to release the authentication when the release information received by the second reception means is not the release information transmitted by the release information transmission means;
having
When the release information accepted by the second accepting means is the release information transmitted by the release information transmitting means, the managing means determines whether or not the number of uses associated with the release information has reached an upper limit, and releases the authentication when the number of uses associated with the release information has not reached the upper limit.
Information processing device. 2. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the management means does not release the authentication if the release information accepted by the second accepting means is the release information sent by the release information sending means and the number of uses stored in correspondence with the release information has reached an upper limit. a display control unit that displays, when the release information received by the second receiving unit is the release information transmitted by the release information transmitting unit and the number of times of use stored in association with the release information has reached an upper limit, a message indicating that the number of times of use has reached an upper limit on a display unit;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: a display control unit that displays a menu screen for selecting the function when it is detected that the user has finished using the function;
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management unit performs management so as to set the authentication when it detects that the user has finished using the function. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the release information transmitted to the destination information and the number of times the function of the information processing apparatus has been used, which are associated with each other, for a predetermined period of time. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of times a function of the information processing apparatus has been used is the number of copies used in a copy function of the information processing apparatus. An information processing method executed by an information processing device having an operation panel ,
a first receiving step of receiving input of destination information via the operation panel ;
A generating step of generating deactivation information for deactivating the authentication;
a release information transmitting step of transmitting the release information generated in the generating step to a destination indicated by the destination information received in the first receiving step;
a storage step of storing the release information to be transmitted to the destination information and the number of times the function of the information processing device is used in association with each other;
a second receiving step of receiving, from a user, input of deactivation information for deactivating the authentication;
a management step of managing the authentication so as not to cancel the authentication when the release information received in the second reception step is not the release information transmitted in the release information transmission step;
having
The management step, when the release information received in the second reception step is the release information transmitted in the release information transmission step, determines whether or not the number of uses associated with the release information has reached an upper limit, and releases the authentication when the number of uses associated with the release information has not reached the upper limit.
Information processing methods. An information processing device having an operation panel ,
a first receiving means for receiving input of destination information via the operation panel ;
A generating means for generating deactivation information for deactivating the authentication;
a release information transmitting means for transmitting the release information generated by the generating means to a destination indicated by the destination information accepted by the first accepting means;
a storage means for storing the release information to be transmitted to the destination information and the number of times a function of the information processing device is used in association with each other;
a second receiving means for receiving from a user an input of release information for releasing the authentication;
a management means for managing not to release the authentication when the release information received by the second reception means is not the release information transmitted by the release information transmission means;
Function as a
When the release information accepted by the second accepting means is the release information transmitted by the release information transmitting means, the managing means determines whether or not the number of uses associated with the release information has reached an upper limit, and releases the authentication when the number of uses associated with the release information has not reached the upper limit.
program.

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