JP7602191B2 - Setting system, setting program and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a setting system, a setting program, and an information processing system for setting an operation screen in an electronic device.

As a conventional electronic device, an image forming device that allows customization of the operation screen is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-124605 A

However, in conventional electronic devices, when a large number of electronic devices are managed by an administrator, there is a possibility that the administrator may overlook an electronic device that displays an operation screen that has not been properly customized, and as a result, there is a problem that there may be electronic devices that display an operation screen that has not been properly customized.

The present invention aims to provide a setting system, setting program, and information processing system that can reduce the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen.

The setting system of the present invention is a setting system that sets an operation screen in an electronic device, and is characterized in that it manages the user of the electronic device and the layout of the operation screen in association with each other, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device, it transmits to the electronic device the layout associated with the user who is logged in to the electronic device.

With this configuration, when a layout is requested from an electronic device, the setting system of the present invention transmits to the electronic device a layout associated with the user logged in to that electronic device. This allows the administrator of the electronic device to check the operation screen displayed by the electronic device on the setting system without having to check each electronic device on the electronic device. As a result, even when a large number of electronic devices are managed by an administrator, the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

In the setting system of the present invention, the layout associated with the user includes a user layout associated with the individual user and a group layout associated with a group to which the user belongs, the setting system manages the priority order between the user layout and the group layout, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device and both the user layout and the group layout are associated with the user logged in to the electronic device, the setting system may transmit to the electronic device the layout with the highest priority out of the user layout and the group layout associated with the user.

With this configuration, when a layout is requested from an electronic device, and both a user layout and a group layout are associated with the user logged in to the electronic device, the setting system of the present invention transmits to the electronic device the layout with the highest priority among the user layout and group layout associated with the user, thereby reducing the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen.

The setting system of the present invention may manage a device layout, which is the layout associated with the electronic device, and manage the priority between the layout associated with the user and the device layout, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device, the setting system may transmit to the electronic device the layout with the highest priority out of the device layout associated with the electronic device and the layout associated with the user who is logged in to the electronic device.

With this configuration, when a layout is requested from an electronic device, the setting system of the present invention transmits to the electronic device the layout with the higher priority between the layout associated with the user logged in to the electronic device and the device layout, thereby reducing the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen.

When a reservation is received for installing a program for requesting the layout from the setting system into the electronic device at a specific time, the setting system of the present invention may install the program into the electronic device at the specific time.

With this configuration, the setting system of the present invention installs a program for requesting a layout from the setting system into the electronic device at a scheduled time, reducing the burden on the administrator of the electronic device to manage the installation status of this program into the electronic device.

When the specific timing arrives, the setting system of the present invention may install the reserved program only in those electronic devices in which the program is not installed or in which an older version of the program than the reserved program is installed.

With this configuration, the setting system of the present invention installs the reserved program only in electronic devices that do not have a program for requesting a layout from the setting system installed, or that have an older version of the reserved program installed, thereby reducing the possibility of downtime caused by unnecessary installations on the electronic devices.

The setting program of the present invention is a setting program for setting an operation screen in an electronic device, which has a feature of having a computer manage the layout of the operation screen in association with a user of the electronic device, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device to the computer, having the computer transmit to the electronic device the layout associated with the user who is logged in to the electronic device.

With this configuration, when a layout is requested from an electronic device, the computer executing the setting program of the present invention sends the layout associated with the user logged in to the electronic device to the electronic device. This allows the administrator of the electronic device to check the operation screen displayed by the electronic device on the setting system without having to check each electronic device on the electronic device. As a result, even when a large number of electronic devices are managed by the administrator, the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

The information processing system of the present invention comprises an electronic device and a setting system that sets an operation screen on the electronic device, the setting system manages the user of the electronic device in association with the layout of the operation screen, the electronic device requests the layout from the setting system, the setting system transmits the layout associated with the user logged in to the electronic device to the electronic device when the layout is requested from the electronic device, and the electronic device displays the operation screen according to the layout received from the setting system.

With this configuration, in the information processing system of the present invention, when an electronic device requests a layout from the setting system, the setting system sends the layout associated with the user logged in to the electronic device to the electronic device. This allows the administrator of the electronic device to check the operation screen displayed by the electronic device on the setting system without having to check each electronic device on the electronic device. As a result, even when a large number of electronic devices are managed by an administrator, the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

In the information processing system of the present invention, the layout associated with the user includes a user layout associated with the individual user and a group layout associated with a group to which the user belongs, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device, if both the user layout and the group layout are associated with the user logged in to the electronic device, the setting system transmits the user layout and the group layout associated with the user to the electronic device, and when multiple layouts are transmitted from the setting system, the electronic device may have the user select one of the multiple layouts transmitted from the setting system and display the operation screen corresponding to the layout selected by the user.

With this configuration, in the information processing system of the present invention, when an electronic device requests a layout from the setting system and both a user layout and a group layout are associated with the user logged in to the electronic device, the setting system transmits the user layout and group layout associated with the user to the electronic device, the electronic device allows the user to select one layout from the multiple layouts transmitted from the setting system to the electronic device, and the electronic device displays an operation screen corresponding to the layout selected by the user, thereby reducing the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen.

In the information processing system of the present invention, the setting system manages a device layout, which is the layout associated with the electronic device, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device, the setting system transmits to the electronic device the device layout associated with the electronic device and the layout associated with the user who is logged in to the electronic device, and when multiple layouts are transmitted from the setting system, the electronic device may allow the user to select one of the multiple layouts transmitted from the setting system and display the operation screen corresponding to the layout selected by the user.

With this configuration, in the information processing system of the present invention, when an electronic device requests a layout from the setting system, the setting system transmits to the electronic device a device layout associated with the electronic device and a layout associated with the user logged in to the electronic device, the electronic device allows the user to select one layout from the multiple layouts transmitted to the electronic device from the setting system, and the electronic device displays an operation screen corresponding to the layout selected by the user, thereby reducing the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen.

The setting system, setting program, and information processing system of the present invention can reduce the possibility of electronic devices displaying inappropriate operation screens.

1 is a block diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when configured as an MFP. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit by a client application shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the user terminal shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the setting system shown in FIG. 1 when configured by one computer. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of device information shown in FIG. 5 . FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a group list shown in FIG. 5 . FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a user list shown in FIG. 5 . FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of layout management information shown in FIG. 5 . FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of layout display condition information shown in FIG. 5 . 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 in the case where information on a new image forming apparatus is added to device information. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 when a device list is displayed. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a device list displayed on the user terminal shown in FIG. 1; 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 when a client application program is installed in the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 when setting layout display condition information. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display condition setting screen displayed on a display unit of the user terminal shown in FIG. 1; 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 in the case where the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus is saved. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen editing screen displayed on a display unit of the user terminal shown in FIG. 1; 1 when a user logs in to an image forming apparatus using a combination of a user name and a password. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a part of the layout specification process shown in FIG. 19 . 21 is a continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 20 . 22 is a continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 21 . 1 when an image forming apparatus uses a ticket transmitted from a user information holding system to utilize a document processing flow execution system. FIG. 1 when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus using a PIN code; FIG. 1 when the image forming apparatus uses a ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system to utilize the document processing flow execution system. FIG.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

First, we will explain the configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an information processing system 10 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 10 includes an image forming device 20 as an electronic device. In addition to the image forming device 20, the information processing system 10 may include at least one other image forming device having a similar configuration to the image forming device 20. The image forming device in the information processing system 10 may be, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a dedicated printer, etc.

The information processing system 10 includes a user terminal 30 used by a user. In addition to the user terminal 30, the information processing system 10 may also include at least one other user terminal having a similar configuration to the user terminal 30. The user terminal in the information processing system 10 is configured, for example, by a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer).

The information processing system 10 includes a document processing flow execution system 40 that executes a document processing flow as a workflow for processing documents. The document processing flow execution system 40 may be configured with one computer or multiple computers. The document processing flow executed by the document processing flow execution system 40 is configured with an input stage where a document is input, a document processing stage where various processes are performed on the document input in the input stage, and an output stage where the results of the processing in the document processing stage are output. There are various methods for inputting a document in the input stage, such as a method of inputting an image read from a manuscript by a scanner of an image forming device as a document, a method of inputting a document located in a specific folder, and a method of inputting a document attached to a received e-mail. There are various types of document processing in the document processing stage, such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing to generate text from an image of a document, Zone OCR processing to generate text from a part of an image of a document, processing to execute specific image processing such as tilt correction, dot removal, and noise removal on an image of a document, and processing to convert the format of an image of a document. There are various methods for outputting the results of processing in the output stage, such as outputting to a specific folder or sending to a specific destination by email. The document processing flow execution system 40 is capable of saving multiple document processing flows.

The information processing system 10 can include an authentication and authorization system 50 that performs authentication and authorization of users of the information processing system 10. The authentication and authorization system 50 may be configured with one computer or multiple computers. The authentication and authorization system 50 manages restrictions on the use of various functions of the image forming device for each user, and can provide authorization information indicating restrictions on the use of various functions of the image forming device for authenticated users, i.e., users who have logged in to the image forming device, to the image forming device and the document processing flow execution system 40. The authentication and authorization system 50 can, for example, spool print data transmitted from a user terminal, and output the spooled print data to one of the image forming devices. The authentication and authorization system 50 can also manage the use of the image forming device by users of the information processing system 10. The authentication and authorization system 50 can register the ID of an IC (Integrated Circuit) card for each user.

The information processing system 10 can be equipped with a user information holding system 60 that holds information on users of the information processing system 10. The user information holding system 60 can be configured with one computer or multiple computers. The user information holding system 60 can also hold information used in a system other than the document processing flow execution system 40 and the authentication and authorization system 50.

The information processing system 10 can be equipped with a setting system 70 that sets the operation screen of the image forming device. The setting system 70 may be configured with one computer or multiple computers.

The image forming device in the information processing system 10, the user terminal in the information processing system 10, the document processing flow execution system 40, the authentication and authorization system 50, the user information holding system 60, and the setting system 70 can be communicatively connected via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the image forming device 20 when configured as an MFP.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 20 is a computer that includes an operation unit 21, which is an input device such as a button through which various operations are input, a display unit 22, which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information, a printer 23, which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 24, which is a reading device that reads images from a document, a fax communication unit 25, which is a fax device that performs fax communication with an external facsimile machine (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line, a communication unit 26, which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without using a network, a memory unit 27, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information, and a control unit 28 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 20.

The storage unit 27 can store a client application program 27a as an application program for providing a user with the functions of the image forming device 20, the document processing flow execution system 40 (see FIG. 1), and the authentication and authorization system 50 (see FIG. 1). The client application program 27a may be installed in the image forming device 20 during the manufacturing stage of the image forming device 20, or may be additionally installed in the image forming device 20 from an external storage medium such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, or may be additionally installed in the image forming device 20 from a network.

The memory unit 27 can store an application program 27b that is different from the client application program 27a. The memory unit 27 can store at least one application program other than the application program 27b that is different from the client application program 27a.

Only one application program can be installed in the image forming device 20. When installed, there are an extended authentication application program that is started first when the image forming device 20 is started and displays an authentication screen on the display unit 22, and an extended application program that is an application program other than the extended authentication application program. The client application program 27a is an extended authentication application program.

The memory unit 27 can store login method information 27c indicating a method of logging in on the authentication screen of the image forming device 20. The login method information 27c indicates any one of a method of logging in using a combination of a user name and password, a method of logging in using a PIN (Personal Identification Number) code, a method of logging in using an IC card ID, and a combination of these methods.

The control unit 28 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a volatile storage device used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 28. The CPU of the control unit 28 executes the programs stored in the memory unit 27 or the ROM of the control unit 28.

The control unit 28 realizes the client application 28a by executing the client application program 27a. The client application 28a can restrict the use of various functions of the image forming device 20, such as "scanning" which is reading an image from a document by the scanner 24, "print output" which prints various images, such as images based on print data received via the communication unit 26, on a recording medium by the printer 23, "copying" which prints an image read from a document by the scanner 24 on a recording medium by the printer 23, "fax transmission" which transmits an image read from a document by the scanner 24 via fax communication unit 25, and "scan transmission" which transmits an image read from a document by the scanner 24 via communication unit 26, according to authorization information obtained from the authentication and authorization system 50.

Figure 3 shows an example of an operation screen 80 displayed on the display unit 22 (see Figure 2) by the client application 28a (see Figure 2).

The operation screen 80 shown in FIG. 3 has buttons arranged thereon that are associated with functions of the image forming device 20 (see FIG. 1), the document processing flow execution system 40 (see FIG. 1), or the authentication and authorization system 50 (see FIG. 1). When a button arranged on the operation screen 80 is tapped, the client application 28a can use a function associated with the button. Each of the buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 is composed of an icon image 80a, a background 80b of the icon image 80a, and a character string 80c arranged below the icon image 80a.

The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a "Workflow A" button 81a as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow A, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40, a "Workflow B" button 81b as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow B, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40, a "Workflow C" button 81c as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow C, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40, and a "Workflow D" button 81d as a "workflow" button for executing document processing flow D, which is a specific document processing flow stored in the document processing flow execution system 40. The "Workflow A" button 81a, the "Workflow B" button 81b, the "Workflow C" button 81c, and the "Workflow D" button 81d are buttons with which the functions of the document processing flow execution system 40 are associated.

The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a "Print All" button 82a for causing the printer 23 to print based on all print data of the user currently logged in to the image forming device 20 that is spooled in the authentication and authorization system 50, a "My Jobs" button 82b for causing the printer 23 to print based on print data selected by the user each time from the print data of the user currently logged in to the image forming device 20 that is spooled in the authentication and authorization system 50, and a "Register IC Card" button 82c for registering the ID of the IC card of the user currently logged in to the image forming device 20 in the authentication and authorization system 50. The "Print All" button 82a, the "My Jobs" button 82b and the "Register IC Card" button 82c are buttons associated with functions of the authentication and authorization system 50.

The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a "Copy" button 83a for copying with settings corresponding to values specified by the user each time, a "Send" button 83b for scanning and sending with settings corresponding to values specified by the user each time, a "Fax" button 83c for faxing with settings corresponding to values specified by the user each time, a "User Box" button 83d for saving an image read from a document by the scanner 24 in a specific area on the memory unit 27 and printing the image saved in this area by the printer 23, a "Job Box" button 83e for saving data received from an external electronic device such as a PC in a specific area on the memory unit 27 and printing based on the data saved in this area, a "USB" button 83f for saving an image read from a document by the scanner 24 in a USB memory connected to the image forming device 20 and printing based on the data saved in the USB memory connected to the image forming device 20, and an "Application" button 83g for executing a specific application program other than the client application program 27a installed in the image forming device 20. The "Copy" button 83a, the "Send" button 83b, the "Fax" button 83c, the "Custom Box" button 83d, the "Job Box" button 83e, the "USB" button 83f, and the "Application" button 83g are buttons associated with functions of the image forming device 20.

In addition to the "Copy" button 83a, "Send" button 83b, "Fax" button 83c, "Custom Box" button 83d, "Job Box" button 83e, "USB" button 83f, and "Application" button 83g, other buttons associated with functions of the image forming device 20 include, for example, a "Scan" button for scanning with settings according to values specified by the user each time, a "Quick Copy" button for instantly copying with settings according to pre-specified values, a "Quick Scan" button for instantly scanning with settings according to pre-specified values, and a "Quick Fax" button for instantly sending a fax with settings according to pre-specified values.

The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a "Folder" button 84a for transitioning to an operation screen one level below the operation screen 80. The operation screen transitioned to by tapping the "Folder" button 84a may have buttons arranged thereon associated with at least one function of the image forming device 20, the document processing flow execution system 40, and the authentication/authorization system 50, just like the operation screen 80.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the user terminal 30.

As shown in FIG. 4, the user terminal 30 includes an operation unit 31, which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input, a display unit 32, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a communication unit 33, which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without using a network, a storage unit 34, which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 35 that controls the entire user terminal 30.

The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a volatile storage device used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 35. The CPU of the control unit 35 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 34 or the ROM of the control unit 35.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of the configuration system 70 when configured with one computer.

As shown in FIG. 5, the setting system 70 includes an operation unit 71, which is an operating device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input; a display unit 72, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information; a communication unit 73, which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without using a network; a storage unit 74, which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information; and a control unit 75 that controls the entire setting system 70.

The storage unit 74 stores a setting program 74a for setting a client application program of the image forming device. The setting program 74a may be installed in the setting system 70 during the manufacturing stage of the setting system 70, or may be additionally installed in the setting system 70 from an external storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the setting system 70 from a network.

The memory unit 74 can store device information 74b, which is information about the image forming device managed by the setting tool 75a described below.

Figure 6 shows an example of device information 74b.

The device information 74b shown in FIG. 6 includes, for each image forming device, a product name, a host name, an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a serial ID which is identification information of the image forming device, and a MAC (Media Access Control) address which is identification information of the image forming device.

As shown in FIG. 5, the memory unit 74 can store a client application program 74c to be installed in the image forming device.

The memory unit 74 can store a group list 74d, which is a list of groups of general users of the image forming device.

Figure 7 shows an example of a group list 74d.

The group list 74d shown in FIG. 7 shows groups of general users of the image forming device that are managed by the setting tool 75a described below.

As shown in FIG. 5, the memory unit 74 can store a user list 74e, which is a list of general users of the image forming device.

Figure 8 shows an example of a user list 74e.

The user list 74e shown in FIG. 8 shows the general users of the image forming device, which are managed by the setting tool 75a described below, in association with the groups to which these general users belong. In FIG. 8, "-" indicates that there is no group to which the general users belong. In other words, according to FIG. 8, "User a" does not belong to any group.

As shown in FIG. 5, the memory unit 74 can store a layout 74f of the operation screen of the image forming device. The memory unit 74 can store at least one other layout of the operation screen of the image forming device in addition to the layout 74f.

The memory unit 74 can store layout management information 74g that manages the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device.

Figure 9 shows an example of layout management information 74g.

Layout management information 74g shown in FIG. 9 shows the identification information of the image forming device, group, and general user, the types of the image forming device, group, and general user, and the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device in association with each other. In FIG. 9, the values of "Device", "Group", and "User" in the "Type" column indicate the image forming device, group, and general user, respectively. For example, the group identified by the identification information "Group a" is associated with "Layout d". Note that in FIG. 9, "Device a", "Device b", "Device c", and the like are written as the identification information of the image forming device. However, the identification information of the image forming device is actually at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming device, for example. In FIG. 9, "-" indicates that the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device is not associated. That is, according to FIG. 9, the general user identified by the identification information "User a" is not associated with any layout, at least as an individual.

In the following, the layout associated with an image forming device, the layout associated with a group, and the layout associated with an individual general user are referred to as the device layout, the group layout, and the user layout, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, the memory unit 74 can store layout display condition information 74h that indicates the conditions for displaying the layout in the image forming device.

Figure 10 shows an example of layout display condition information 74h.

As shown in FIG. 10, the layout display condition information 74h includes a "display method" that indicates the method for displaying the layout on the image forming device, a "layouts permitted for display" that indicates which of the group layouts and user layouts are permitted for display, and a "display priority" that indicates the display priority of the device layout, group layout, and user layout.

The "display method" can be set to one of the following: "device layout only," which causes the image forming device to display only the device layout; "user selection," which causes the device layout, group layout, and user layout selected by the user to be displayed; and "priority order," which causes the device layout, group layout, and user layout to be displayed with priority given to the layout with the highest priority indicated by "display priority."

In FIG. 10, the device layout, group layout, and user layout shown in the "Display Priority" column have a higher priority the higher they are on the top. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the user layout has the highest priority and the device layout has the lowest priority.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 75 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a volatile storage device used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 75. The CPU of the control unit 75 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 74 or the ROM of the control unit 75.

The control unit 75 executes the setting program 74a to realize the setting tool 75a. The setting tool 75a can install a client application program on the image forming device.

Next, the operation of the information processing system 10 will be described.

First, we will explain the operation of the setting system 70 when adding information about a new image forming device to the device information 74b.

Figure 11 is a flowchart of the operation of the configuration system 70 when adding information about a new image forming device to the device information 74b.

After logging in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, the image forming device administrator can input an instruction to add information about a new image forming device to the device information 74b (hereinafter referred to as an "information addition instruction") to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. Note that the image forming device administrator includes in the information addition instruction at least one of the IP address and host name of the image forming device for which the administrator wishes to add information to the device information 74b (hereinafter referred to as the "information addition request device"). When the setting tool 75a accepts the information addition instruction, it executes the operation shown in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, the setting tool 75a acquires the product name, host name, IP address, serial ID, and MAC address of the device requesting additional information from the device requesting additional information (S101). Here, the setting tool 75a accesses the device requesting additional information using at least one of the IP address and host name of the device requesting additional information that were included in the information addition instruction.

After processing S101, the setting tool 75a saves the information acquired in S101 in the device information 74b (S102) and ends the operation shown in FIG. 11.

Next, we will explain the operation of the setting system 70 when displaying a list of image forming devices (hereinafter referred to as the "device list") managed by the setting tool 75a.

Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the configuration system 70 when displaying a device list.

After logging in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, the administrator of the image forming device can input an instruction to display a list of devices (hereinafter referred to as a "list display instruction") to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. When the setting tool 75a receives the list display instruction, it executes the operation shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, the setting tool 75a obtains the versions of the client application programs installed in the image forming devices (hereinafter referred to as "installed versions") from all image forming devices managed by the setting tool 75a itself (S121). Here, the setting tool 75a accesses the image forming devices using at least one of the IP addresses and host names of the image forming devices included in the device information 74b.

After processing S121, the setting tool 75a sends a device list including the information acquired in S121 to the user terminal that sent the list display instruction (S122), and ends the operation shown in FIG. 12.

When the device list is sent from the setting tool 75a in step S122, the user terminal displays the device list sent from the setting tool 75a on the display unit of the user terminal.

Figure 13 shows an example of a device list displayed on a user terminal.

As shown in FIG. 13, the device list includes the product name, host name, IP address, serial ID, MAC address, and installed version for each image forming device. Note that in the device list shown in FIG. 13, image forming devices with a value of "None" in the installed version column are image forming devices in which a client application program is not installed.

Next, we will explain the operation of the configuration system 70 when installing a client application program on an image forming device.

Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the configuration system 70 when installing a client application program on an image forming device.

The administrator of the image forming device can log in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, and then upload the client application program to be installed in the image forming device to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. When the client application program is uploaded, the setting tool 75a executes the operation shown in FIG. 14.

As shown in FIG. 14, the setting tool 75a stores the uploaded client application program in the memory unit 74 as the client application program 74c (S141).

Next, the setting tool 75a judges whether or not an installation reservation instruction has been received until it judges that an instruction to reserve the installation of the client application program on the image forming device (hereinafter referred to as an "installation reservation instruction") has been received (S142). Here, the administrator of the image forming device can input the installation reservation instruction to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. The administrator of the image forming device can specify, in the installation reservation instruction, for example, any of the following as the timing for installing the client application program on the image forming device: immediately, a specific date and time specified by the administrator of the image forming device, a specific time every day specified by the administrator of the image forming device, a specific day of the week specified by the administrator of the image forming device, or a specific date every month specified by the administrator of the image forming device.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S142 that an installation reservation instruction has been received, it reserves the installation of the client application program on the image forming device at the timing included in the installation reservation instruction (S143).

After processing S143, the setting tool 75a determines whether the time reserved in S143 has arrived (S144) until it determines that the time reserved in S143 has arrived.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S144 that the time reserved in S143 has arrived, it obtains the installed versions of the client application programs of the image forming devices from all image forming devices that the setting tool 75a manages (S145). Here, the setting tool 75a accesses the image forming devices using at least one of the IP addresses and host names of the image forming devices included in the device information 74b.

Next, the setting tool 75a identifies image forming devices on which a client application program is not installed and image forming devices on which an older version of the client application program to be installed than the client application program 74c stored in S141 is installed, based on the information acquired in S145 (S146).

Next, the setting tool 75a distributes the client application program 74c to be installed, which was stored in S141, to all image forming devices identified in S146 (S147), and ends the operation shown in FIG. 14.

The control unit of the image forming device to which the client application program is distributed from the setting tool 75a immediately installs the client application program distributed from the setting tool 75a into the image forming device itself.

Next, we will explain the operation of the setting system 70 when setting the layout display condition information 74h.

Figure 15 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system 70 when setting layout display condition information 74h.

After logging in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, the administrator of the image forming device can input an instruction to start setting the layout display condition information 74h (hereinafter referred to as a "setting start instruction") to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. When the setting tool 75a receives the setting start instruction, it executes the operation shown in FIG. 15.

As shown in FIG. 15, the setting tool 75a displays a display condition setting screen 90 (see FIG. 16) for setting the layout display condition information 74h on the user terminal that sent the instruction to start setting (S151). Therefore, the control unit of the user terminal that sent the instruction to start setting displays the display condition setting screen 90 on the display unit of the user terminal itself, and transmits operations on the display condition setting screen 90 via the operation unit of the user terminal itself to the setting system 70.

Figure 16 shows an example of a display condition setting screen 90 displayed on the display unit of a user terminal.

As shown in FIG. 16, the display condition setting screen 90 includes an area 91 for setting the "display method" from the layout display condition information 74h, an area 92 for setting the "layouts permitted to be displayed" from the layout display condition information 74h, an area 93 for setting the "display priority" from the layout display condition information 74h, a cancel button 94a for canceling the setting of the layout display condition information 74h, and a save button 94b for saving the setting of the layout display condition information 74h.

Area 91 includes a radio button 91a for setting "Device layout only" as the "Display method", a radio button 91b for setting "User selection" as the "Display method", and a radio button 91c for setting "Priority order" as the "Display method". Only one of the radio buttons 91a to 91c can be selected.

Area 92 includes a check box 92a for setting whether or not to allow the display of a group layout, and a check box 92b for setting whether or not to allow the display of a user layout.

Area 93 shows the priority order of device layouts, group layouts, and user layouts. The higher the device layout, group layout, and user layout shown in area 93, the higher the priority order. The administrator of the image forming device can change the priority order of the device layout, group layout, and user layout shown in area 93 via the operation unit of the user terminal.

As shown in FIG. 15, after processing S151, the setting tool 75a determines whether the cancel button 94a has been pressed (S152).

If the setting tool 75a determines in S152 that the cancel button 94a has not been pressed, it determines whether the save button 94b has been pressed (S153).

If the setting tool 75a determines in S153 that the save button 94b has not been pressed, it executes the process of S152.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S153 that the save button 94b has been pressed, it saves the layout display conditions set on the display condition setting screen 90 in the layout display condition information 74h (S154).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S152 that the cancel button 94a has been pressed or executes the process of S154, it terminates the display of the display condition setting screen 90 on the user terminal (S155) and ends the operation shown in FIG. 15.

Next, we will explain the operation of the setting system 70 when saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device.

Figure 17 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system 70 when saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device.

After logging in to the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 via a user terminal, the administrator of the image forming device can input an instruction to start editing the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device (hereinafter referred to as an "edit start instruction") to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. When the setting tool 75a receives the edit start instruction, it executes the operation shown in FIG. 17.

As shown in FIG. 17, the setting tool 75a displays an operation screen editing screen 100 (see FIG. 18) for editing the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device on the user terminal that sent the instruction to start editing (S161). Therefore, the control unit of the user terminal that sent the instruction to start editing displays the operation screen editing screen 100 on the display unit of the user terminal itself, and transmits operations on the operation screen editing screen 100 via the operation unit of the user terminal itself to the setting system 70.

Figure 18 shows an example of an operation screen editing screen 100 displayed on the display unit of a user terminal.

As shown in FIG. 18, the operation screen editing screen 100 has an operation screen area 101 that shows an image of the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device. A total of 18 rectangular areas are formed in the operation screen area 101, with three rows and six columns. One button is formed by one or more rectangular areas. In other words, a maximum of 18 buttons can be arranged on the operation screen of the image forming device.

The operation screen editing screen 100 includes a "Document Processing Flow Execution System" button 102a for adding buttons associated with the functions of the document processing flow execution system 40, such as a "Workflow A" button, a "Workflow B" button, a "Workflow C" button, and a "Workflow D" button, to the operation screen area 101; an "Authentication Authorization System" button 102b for adding buttons associated with the functions of the authentication authorization system 50, such as a "Print All" button, a "My Jobs" button, and a "Register IC Card" button, to the operation screen area 101; an "Image Forming Device" button 102c for adding buttons associated with the functions of the image forming device, such as a "Copy" button, a "Send" button, a "Fax" button, a "User Box" button, a "Job Box" button, a "USB" button, and an "Application" button, to the operation screen area 101; and an "Other" button 102d for adding a "Folder" button to the operation screen area 101.

The operation screen editing screen 100 has an "Open Properties" button 103a for setting the properties of a button selected in the operation screen area 101, and a "Delete Button" button 103b for deleting a button selected in the operation screen area 101. The button properties include the arrangement, size, color, name, and icon image of the button in the operation screen area 101. The color of a button in the operation screen area 101 refers to the background color of the icon image of the button in the operation screen area 101. The name of a button in the operation screen area 101 is a character string that is placed below the icon image of the button in the operation screen area 101.

The operation screen editing screen 100 includes a cancel button 104a for canceling editing the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device, and a save button 104b for saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device.

As shown in FIG. 17, after processing S161, the setting tool 75a determines whether the cancel button 104a has been pressed (S162).

If the setting tool 75a determines in S162 that the cancel button 104a has not been pressed, it determines whether the save button 104b has been pressed (S163).

If the setting tool 75a determines in S163 that the save button 104b has not been pressed, it executes the process of S162.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S163 that the save button 104b has been pressed, it saves the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device set on the operation screen editing screen 100 in the memory unit 74 (S164).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S162 that the cancel button 104a has been pressed or executes the process of S164, it terminates the display of the operation screen editing screen 100 on the user terminal (S165) and ends the operation shown in FIG. 17.

The above describes an example in which the administrator of the image forming device creates a layout. However, general users of the image forming device can also create layouts in a similar manner.

Next, we will explain the operation of the setting system 70 when setting the device layout.

After logging in to the setting tool 75a via a user terminal, the administrator of the image forming device can input an instruction to the setting system 70 via the user terminal to set any of the layouts stored in the storage unit 74 as the device layout of any of the image forming devices (hereinafter referred to as a "device layout setting instruction"). Note that the setting tool 75a allows the administrator to specify, in the device layout setting instruction, only layouts created by the administrator of the image forming device, for example, from among the layouts stored in the storage unit 74.

When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives a device layout setting instruction, it changes the layout management information 74g according to the received device layout setting instruction.

Next, we will explain the operation of the setting system 70 when setting a group layout.

After logging in to the setting tool 75a via a user terminal, the administrator of the image forming device can input an instruction to set any of the layouts stored in the storage unit 74 as a group layout for any of the groups (hereinafter referred to as a "group layout setting instruction") to the setting system 70 via the user terminal. Note that the setting tool 75a allows the administrator to specify, in the group layout setting instruction, only layouts created by the administrator of the image forming device, for example, among the layouts stored in the storage unit 74.

When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives a group layout setting instruction, it changes the layout management information 74g according to the received group layout setting instruction.

The above describes an example in which the administrator of the image forming device sets the group layout. However, general users of the image forming device can also set the group layout for the group to which they belong in the same way.

Next, we will explain the operation of the setting system 70 when setting a user layout.

After logging in to the setting tool 75a via a user terminal, the administrator of the image forming device can input an instruction to the setting system 70 via the user terminal to set any of the layouts stored in the storage unit 74 as a user layout for any general user (hereinafter referred to as a "user layout setting instruction"). Note that the setting tool 75a allows the administrator to specify, in the user layout setting instruction, only layouts created by the administrator of the image forming device, for example, among the layouts stored in the storage unit 74.

When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives a user layout setting instruction, it changes the layout management information 74g according to the received user layout setting instruction.

The above describes an example in which the administrator of the image forming device sets the user layout. However, general users of the image forming device can also set their own user layout in a similar manner.

Next, we will explain the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs in to the image forming device 20 using a combination of a user name and password.

Figure 19 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs in to the image forming device 20 using a combination of a user name and password.

The operation shown in FIG. 19 is performed when a method for logging in using a combination of a user name and a password is indicated in the login method information 27c in the image forming device 20.

As shown in FIG. 19, when a user is not currently logged in to the image forming device 20, the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 displays an authentication screen on the display unit 22 for the user to log in to the image forming device 20 (S181). Here, since the login method information 27c indicates a method for logging in using a combination of a user name and a password, the client application 28a adopts the method for logging in using a combination of a user name and a password as the login method on the authentication screen displayed in S181.

When login is instructed on the authentication screen displayed in S181, the client application 28a requests the user information storage system 60 to log in the user (S182). This request includes the combination of the user name and password entered by the user via the operation unit 21 on the authentication screen displayed in S181.

When the user information holding system 60 receives the request in S182, it decides whether or not to permit the user to log in (S183). Here, if the combination of user name and password included in the request in S182 is included among the combinations of user name and password held by the user information holding system 60 itself, i.e., if the authentication of the user is successful, the user information holding system 60 decides to permit the user to log in. On the other hand, if the combination of user name and password included in the request in S182 is not included among the combinations of user name and password held by the user information holding system 60 itself, i.e., if the authentication of the user fails, the user information holding system 60 decides not to permit the user to log in.

When the user information holding system 60 determines in S183 that the user's login is not permitted, it notifies the image forming device 20 that the user's login is not permitted (S184). Therefore, the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 displays a failure of the login on the display unit 22 (S185), and ends the operation shown in FIG. 19.

On the other hand, when the user information holding system 60 decides in S183 to permit the user to log in, it issues a ticket indicating that the user information holding system 60 has permitted the user to log in (S186), and transmits the ticket issued in S186 to the image forming device 20 (S187).

When the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 receives the ticket sent from the user information holding system 60 in S187, it requests the layout of the operation screen from the setting system 70 (S188). The client application 28a includes in the request in S188 the identification information of the user permitted to log in by the user information holding system 60 and the identification information of the image forming device 20 itself, i.e., at least one of the serial ID and MAC address. Note that below, a request for layout from the client application of the image forming device to the setting system is referred to as a "layout request."

When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives the layout request in S188, it executes a layout specification process to specify the layout of the operation screen based on the layout management information 74g (S189).

Figure 20 is a flowchart of a part of the layout specification process shown in Figure 19. Figure 21 is a flowchart that follows the flowchart shown in Figure 20. Figure 22 is a flowchart that follows the flowchart shown in Figure 21.

As shown in Figures 20 to 22, the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 determines the "display method" of the layout display condition information 74h (S201).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S201 that the "display method" of the layout display condition information 74h is "device layout only," it identifies the device layout (hereinafter referred to as the "target device layout") that is associated in the layout management information 74g with the identification information of the image forming device included in the layout request (S202), and ends the layout identification process shown in Figures 20 to 22.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S201 that the "display method" of the layout display condition information 74h is "user selection," it identifies the target device layout (S203).

Next, the setting tool 75a determines whether or not to allow the display of the group layout based on the "Layouts allowed to be displayed" in the layout display condition information 74h (S204).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S204 that the display of the group layout is permitted, it determines whether there is a group (hereinafter referred to as the "target group") associated in the user list 74e with the user identification information included in the layout request (S205).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S205 that the target group exists, it determines whether or not a group layout (hereinafter referred to as the "target group layout") associated with the target group in the layout information 74g exists (S206).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S206 that the target group layout exists, it additionally identifies the target group layout (S207).

When the processing of S207 is completed, the setting tool 75a determines whether to permit display of the user layout based on the "Layouts permitted to be displayed" in the layout display condition information 74h (S208), whether to determine in S204 that display of the group layout is not permitted, whether to determine in S205 that the target group does not exist, or whether to determine in S206 that the target group layout does not exist.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S208 that display of the user layout is permitted, it determines whether or not there is a user layout (hereinafter referred to as the "target user layout") associated in the layout information 74g with the user identification information included in the layout request (S209).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S209 that the target user layout exists, it additionally identifies the target user layout (S210).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S208 that the display of the user layout is not permitted, when it determines in S209 that the target user layout does not exist, or when the processing of S210 ends, the layout specification processing shown in Figures 20 to 22 ends.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S201 that the "display method" of the layout display condition information 74h is "priority order," it determines whether the first priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is a group layout (S211).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S211 that the first priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is the group layout, it determines whether or not to allow the display of the group layout based on the "layouts permitted to be displayed" of the layout display condition information 74h (S212).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S212 that the display of the group layout is permitted, it determines whether the target group exists (S213).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S213 that the target group exists, it determines whether the target group layout exists (S214).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S214 that the target group layout exists, it identifies the target group layout (S215) and ends the layout identification process shown in Figures 20 to 22.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S212 that the display of the group layout is not permitted, determines in S213 that the target group does not exist, or determines in S214 that the target group layout does not exist, it determines whether the second priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is the user layout (S216).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S216 that the second priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is the user layout, it determines whether or not to allow the display of the user layout based on the "layouts permitted to be displayed" of the layout display condition information 74h (S217).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S217 that display of the user layout is permitted, it determines whether the target user layout exists (S218).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S218 that the target user layout exists, it identifies the target user layout (S219) and ends the layout identification process shown in Figures 20 to 22.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S216 that the second priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is not the user layout, determines in S217 that the display of the user layout is not permitted, or determines in S218 that the target user layout does not exist, it identifies the target device layout (S202) and ends the layout identification process shown in Figures 20 to 22.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S211 that the first priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is not a group layout, it determines whether the first priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is a user layout (S220).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S220 that the first priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is the user layout, it determines whether or not to allow the display of the user layout based on the "layouts permitted to be displayed" of the layout display condition information 74h (S221).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S221 that display of a user layout is permitted, it determines whether the target user layout exists (S222).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S222 that the target user layout exists, it identifies the target user layout (S219) and ends the layout identification process shown in Figures 20 to 22.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S221 that the display of the user layout is not permitted, or determines in S222 that the target user layout does not exist, it determines whether the second priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is a group layout (S223).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S223 that the second priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is the group layout, it determines whether or not to allow the display of the group layout based on the "layouts permitted to be displayed" of the layout display condition information 74h (S224).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S224 that the display of the group layout is permitted, it determines whether the target group exists (S225).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S225 that the target group exists, it determines whether the target group layout exists (S226).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S226 that the target group layout exists, it identifies the target group layout (S215) and ends the layout identification process shown in Figures 20 to 22.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S220 that the first priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is not the user layout, determines in S223 that the second priority in the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h is not the group layout, determines in S224 that the display of the group layout is not permitted, determines in S225 that the target group does not exist, or determines in S226 that the target group layout does not exist, it identifies the target device layout (S202) and ends the layout identification process shown in Figures 20 to 22.

For example, if the user list 74e and layout information 74g are as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the "display method" of the layout display condition information 74h is "user selection", and the "layouts permitted to be displayed" of the layout display condition information 74h are set to permit the display of both group layouts and user layouts, when "User a" requests login with "Device a", the setting tool 75a determines in S205 that the target group does not exist and determines in S209 that the target user layout does not exist, and therefore identifies only layout a, which is the device layout (S203).

Furthermore, when the user list 74e and layout information 74g are as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the "display method" of the layout display condition information 74h is "user selection", and the "layouts permitted to be displayed" of the layout display condition information 74h are set to permit display of both group layouts and user layouts, when "User b" requests login with "Device b", the setting tool 75a identifies layout b, which is a device layout, layout d, which is a group layout, and layout g, which is a user layout (S203, S207, and S210).

In addition, when the user list 74e and layout information 74g are as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the "display method" of the layout display condition information 74h is "priority order", the "layouts permitted to be displayed" of the layout display condition information 74h are set to permit the display of both group layouts and user layouts, and the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h indicates "user layout", "group layout", and "device layout" in descending order of priority, when "User a" requests login with "Device a", the setting tool 75a determines in S222 that the target user layout does not exist and determines in S225 that the target group does not exist, and therefore identifies only layout a, which is a device layout (S202).

In addition, when the user list 74e and layout information 74g are as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the "display method" of the layout display condition information 74h is "priority order", the "layouts permitted to be displayed" of the layout display condition information 74h are set to permit the display of both group layouts and user layouts, and the "display priority" of the layout display condition information 74h indicates "user layout", "group layout", and "device layout" in order of priority, when "User b" requests login on "Device b", the setting tool 75a determines in S222 that the target user layout exists, and therefore identifies only layout g, which is the user layout (S219).

As shown in FIG. 19, after processing S189, the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 transmits the layout identified in S189 to the image forming device 20 (S190).

When the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 receives the layout transmitted from the setting system 70 in S190, if only one layout has been transmitted from the setting system 70 in S190, the client application 28a displays an operation screen corresponding to this layout on the display unit 22 (S191), and ends the operation shown in FIG. 19.

On the other hand, if multiple layouts are sent from the setting system 70 in S190, the client application 28a displays a layout selection screen on the display unit 22 to allow the user to select one layout from the multiple layouts sent from the setting system 70 in S190 (S192).

Then, the client application 28a displays an operation screen corresponding to the layout selected on the layout selection screen on the display unit 22 (S193), and ends the operation shown in FIG. 19.

Next, we will explain the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image forming device 20 uses a ticket transmitted from the user information storage system 60 to access the document processing flow execution system 40.

Figure 23 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image forming device 20 uses a ticket transmitted from the user information storage system 60 to access the document processing flow execution system 40.

A user of the image forming device 20 can instruct the image forming device 20 to use the functions of the document processing flow execution system 40 by, for example, pressing a "Workflow" button on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 22 via the operation unit 21.

When the image forming device 20 is instructed to use a function of the document processing flow execution system 40, as shown in FIG. 23, the image forming device 20 requests the document processing flow execution system 40 to use the function (S241). The image forming device 20 includes the ticket sent from the user information holding system 60 in S187 (see FIG. 19) in the request in S241.

When the document processing flow execution system 40 receives the request in S241, it queries the user information storage system 60 about the validity of the ticket included in the request in S241 (S242).

When the user information storage system 60 receives the inquiry in S242, it determines the validity of the ticket whose validity was inquired in S242 (S243).

If the user information holding system 60 determines in S243 that the ticket whose validity was inquired about in S242 is not valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is not valid (S244). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 notifies the image forming device 20 that the use of the function requested in S241 is not permitted (S245).

On the other hand, if the user information holding system 60 determines in S243 that the ticket whose validity was inquired about in S242 is valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is valid (S246). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 executes the function requested in S241 (S247) and notifies the image forming device 20 of the result of the execution in S247 (S248).

The above describes a case where the image forming device 20 uses the document processing flow execution system 40 by using a ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60, but the same applies to a case where the image forming device 20 uses the authentication and authorization system 50 by using a ticket transmitted from the user information holding system 60.

Next, we will explain the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs in to the image forming device 20 using a PIN code.

Figure 24 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when a user logs in to the image forming device 20 using a PIN code.

The operation shown in FIG. 24 is performed when a method for logging in using a PIN code is indicated in the login method information 27c in the image forming device 20.

As shown in FIG. 24, when the user is not logged in to the image forming device 20, the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 displays an authentication screen on the display unit 22 for the user to log in to the image forming device 20 (S261). Here, since the login method information 27c indicates a method for logging in using a PIN code, the client application 28a adopts the method for logging in using a PIN code as the login method on the authentication screen displayed in S261.

When login is instructed on the authentication screen displayed in S261, the client application 28a requests the authentication authorization system 50 to log in the user (S262). This request includes the PIN code that the user inputted via the operation unit 21 to the authentication screen displayed in S261.

When the authentication authorization system 50 receives the request in S262, it decides whether to permit the user to log in (S263). Here, if the PIN code contained in the request in S262 is included among the PIN codes held by the authentication authorization system 50 itself, that is, if the authentication of the user is successful, the authentication authorization system 50 decides to permit the user to log in. On the other hand, if the PIN code contained in the request in S262 is not included among the PIN codes held by the authentication authorization system 50 itself, that is, if the authentication of the user fails, the authentication authorization system 50 decides not to permit the user to log in.

When the authentication and authorization system 50 determines in S263 that the user's login is not permitted, it notifies the image forming device 20 that the user's login is not permitted (S264). Therefore, the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 displays a failure of the login on the display unit 22 (S265) and ends the operation shown in FIG. 24.

On the other hand, when the authentication and authorization system 50 decides in S263 to permit the user to log in, it issues a ticket indicating that the authentication and authorization system 50 has permitted the user to log in (S266), and transmits the ticket issued in S266 to the image forming device 20 (S267).

When the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 receives the ticket sent from the authentication and authorization system 50 in S267, it requests the layout of the operation screen from the setting system 70 (S268). The client application 28a includes in the layout request in S268 the identification information of the user permitted to log in by the authentication and authorization system 50 and the identification information of the image forming device 20 itself, i.e., at least one of the serial ID and the MAC address.

When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives the layout request in S268, it executes a layout specification process to specify the layout of the operation screen based on the layout management information 74g (S269).

The layout identification process in S269 is similar to the layout identification process shown in Figures 20 to 22.

After processing S269, the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 sends the layout identified in S269 to the image forming device 20 (S270).

When the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 receives the layout transmitted from the setting system 70 in S270, if only one layout has been transmitted from the setting system 70 in S270, the client application 28a displays an operation screen corresponding to this layout on the display unit 22 (S271), and ends the operation shown in FIG. 24.

On the other hand, if there are multiple layouts transmitted from the setting system 70 in S270, the client application 28a displays a layout selection screen on the display unit 22 to allow the user to select one layout from the multiple layouts transmitted from the setting system 70 in S270 (S272).

Then, the client application 28a displays an operation screen corresponding to the layout selected on the layout selection screen on the display unit 22 (S273), and ends the operation shown in FIG. 24.

In FIG. 24, a case where a user logs in to the image forming device 20 using a PIN code has been described, but the same applies to a case where a user logs in to the image forming device 20 using an IC card ID. However, when a user logs in to the image forming device 20 using an IC card ID, the IC card ID read by an IC card reader (not shown) connected to the image forming device 20 is used instead of the PIN code.

Next, we will explain the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image forming device 20 uses the ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50 to access the document processing flow execution system 40.

Figure 25 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the information processing system 10 when the image forming device 20 uses a ticket transmitted from the authentication and authorization system 50 to access the document processing flow execution system 40.

A user of the image forming device 20 can instruct the image forming device 20 to use the functions of the document processing flow execution system 40 by, for example, pressing a "Workflow" button on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 22 via the operation unit 21.

When the image forming device 20 is instructed to use a function of the document processing flow execution system 40, as shown in FIG. 25, the image forming device 20 requests the document processing flow execution system 40 to use the function (S281). The image forming device 20 includes in the request in S281 the ticket sent from the authentication and authorization system 50 in S267 (see FIG. 24).

When the document processing flow execution system 40 receives the request in S281, it queries the authentication and authorization system 50 about the validity of the ticket included in the request in S281 (S282).

When the authentication and authorization system 50 receives the inquiry in S282, it determines the validity of the ticket whose validity was inquired in S282 (S283).

If the authentication and authorization system 50 determines in S283 that the ticket whose validity was inquired about in S282 is not valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is not valid (S284). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 notifies the image forming device 20 that the use of the function requested in S281 is not permitted (S285).

On the other hand, if the authentication and authorization system 50 determines in S283 that the ticket whose validity was inquired about in S282 is valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is valid (S286). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 executes the function requested in S281 (S287) and notifies the image forming device 20 of the result of the execution in S287 (S288).

The above describes the case where the image forming device 20 uses the document processing flow execution system 40 by using a ticket sent from the authentication and authorization system 50, but the same applies to the case where the image forming device 20 uses the authentication and authorization system 50 by using a ticket sent from the authentication and authorization system 50.

As described above, when a layout is requested from an image forming device (S188 or S268), the setting system 70 sends the layout associated with the user logged in to the image forming device to the image forming device (S189-S190 or S269-S270). This allows the administrator of the image forming device to check the operation screen displayed by the image forming device on the setting system 70 without having to check each image forming device on the image forming device. As a result, even when a large number of image forming devices are managed by the administrator, the possibility of an image forming device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

When a layout is requested from an image forming device (S188 or S268), if both a user layout and a group layout are associated with the user logged in to the image forming device, the setting system 70 transmits to the image forming device the layout with the highest priority among the user layout and group layout associated with the user (S211 to S226 and "S190 or S270"), thereby reducing the possibility of an image forming device displaying an inappropriate operation screen.

When a layout is requested from an image forming device (S188 or S268), the setting system 70 transmits to the image forming device the layout with the highest priority between the layout associated with the user logged in to the image forming device and the device layout ("S202 and S211 to S226" and "S190 or S270"), thereby reducing the possibility of an image forming device displaying an inappropriate operation screen.

In the information processing system 10, when a layout is requested from the image forming device to the setting system 70 (S188 or S268), and both a user layout and a group layout are associated with the user logged in to the image forming device, the setting system 70 transmits the user layout and group layout associated with the user to the image forming device (S204 to S210 and "S190 or S270"), the image forming device allows the user to select one layout from the multiple layouts transmitted from the setting system 70 to the image forming device (S192 or S272), and the image forming device displays an operation screen corresponding to the layout selected by the user (S193 or S273), thereby reducing the possibility of an image forming device displaying an inappropriate operation screen.

In the information processing system 10, when a layout is requested from an image forming device to the setting system 70 (S188 or S268), the setting system 70 transmits to the image forming device the device layout associated with the image forming device and the layout associated with the user logged in to the image forming device (S203 to S210 and "S190 or S270"), the image forming device allows the user to select one layout from the multiple layouts transmitted from the setting system 70 to the image forming device (S192 or S272), and the image forming device displays an operation screen corresponding to the layout selected by the user (S193 or S273), thereby reducing the possibility of an image forming device displaying an inappropriate operation screen.

The setting system 70 installs the client application program that requests the layout from the setting system 70 onto the image forming device at the reserved timing (YES in S144 and S147), thereby reducing the burden on the image forming device administrator to manage the installation status of the client application program onto the image forming device.

The setting system 70 installs the client application program that is the subject of the reservation only on image forming devices that do not have the client application program installed or that have an older version of the client application program than the client application program that is the subject of the reservation installed (S145 to S147), thereby reducing the possibility of downtime occurring on the image forming device due to unnecessary installation.

In this embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention is an image forming device, but it may be an electronic device other than an image forming device, such as a PC.

10 Information processing system 20 Image forming apparatus (electronic device)
27a Client application program (program for requesting layout from the configuration system)
70 Setting system 74a Setting program 74c Client application program (program for requesting a layout from the setting system)
74d Layout 80 Operation screen

Claims (6)

A setting system for setting an operation screen in an electronic device,
managing a user of the electronic device and a layout of the operation screen in association with each other;
When the layout is requested from the electronic device, the layout associated with the user who is logged in to the electronic device is transmitted to the electronic device ;
The layout associated with the user may include:
A user layout associated with the individual user;
a group layout associated with a group to which the user belongs;
Including,
The setting system manages a priority order between the user layout and the group layout,
The setting system is characterized in that when the layout is requested from the electronic device, and both the user layout and the group layout are associated with the user logged in to the electronic device, the setting system transmits to the electronic device the layout with the higher priority among the user layout and the group layout associated with the user . A setting system for setting an operation screen in an electronic device,
managing a user of the electronic device and a layout of the operation screen in association with each other;
When the layout is requested from the electronic device, the layout associated with the user who is logged in to the electronic device is transmitted to the electronic device;
Managing a device layout, the layout being associated with the electronic device;
Manage a priority order between the layout associated with the user and the device layout;
The setting system is characterized in that when the layout is requested from the electronic device, the setting system transmits to the electronic device the layout with the higher priority between the device layout associated with the electronic device and the layout associated with the user who is logged in to the electronic device. The setting system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that when a reservation is received for installing a program for requesting the layout to the setting system into the electronic device at a specific timing, the program is installed into the electronic device when the specific timing arrives. The setting system described in claim 3, characterized in that when the specific timing arrives, the program that is the subject of the reservation is installed only in the electronic device where the program is not installed or where an older version of the program than the program that is the subject of the reservation is installed. Electronic devices,
A setting system for setting an operation screen in the electronic device;
Equipped with
the setting system manages a user of the electronic device and a layout of the operation screen in association with each other;
The electronic device requests the layout from the setting system;
When the layout is requested from the electronic device, the setting system transmits the layout associated with the user who is logged in to the electronic device to the electronic device;
the electronic device displays the operation screen according to the layout received from the setting system;
The layout associated with the user may include:
A user layout associated with the individual user;
a group layout associated with a group to which the user belongs;
Including,
when the layout is requested from the electronic device, if both the user layout and the group layout are associated with the user who is logged in to the electronic device, the setting system transmits the user layout and the group layout associated with the user to the electronic device;
The information processing system is characterized in that, when a plurality of layouts are transmitted from the setting system, the electronic device allows the user to select one of the plurality of layouts transmitted from the setting system, and displays the operation screen corresponding to the layout selected by the user. Electronic devices,
a setting system for setting an operation screen in the electronic device;
Equipped with
the setting system manages a user of the electronic device and a layout of the operation screen in association with each other;
The electronic device requests the layout from the setting system;
When the layout is requested from the electronic device, the setting system transmits the layout associated with the user who is logged in to the electronic device to the electronic device;
the electronic device displays the operation screen according to the layout received from the setting system;
The setting system manages a device layout, which is the layout associated with the electronic device;
When the layout is requested from the electronic device, the setting system transmits to the electronic device the device layout associated with the electronic device and the layout associated with the user who is logged in to the electronic device;
The information processing system is characterized in that, when a plurality of layouts are transmitted from the setting system, the electronic device allows the user to select one of the plurality of layouts transmitted from the setting system, and displays the operation screen corresponding to the layout selected by the user.

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