JP7804259B2 - Setting system, setting program, information processing system and computer - Google Patents

Description

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

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

JP 2012-124605 A

However, with conventional electronic devices, when an administrator manages a large number of electronic devices, there is a possibility that the administrator may overlook electronic devices that display an operation screen that has not been properly customized, resulting in the problem that there may be electronic devices that display an operation screen that has not been properly customized.

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

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

With this configuration, when an electronic device requests a layout, the setting system of the present invention sends the layout associated with that 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 individual device on the device itself. As a result, even when an administrator manages a large number of electronic devices, the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

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 when the specific time arrives.

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

The setting system of the present invention may, when the specified timing arrives, install the reserved program only on electronic devices that do not have the program installed or that have an older version of the program installed than the reserved program.

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

The setting program of the present invention is a setting program for setting an operation screen of an electronic device, which causes a computer to manage the layout of the operation screen in association with the electronic device, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device to the computer, causes the computer to transmit the layout associated with the electronic device 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 that 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 individual device on the device itself. As a result, even when an administrator manages a large number of electronic devices, 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 for the electronic device, wherein the setting system manages the electronic device in association with the layout of the operation screen, the electronic device requests the layout from the setting system, and when the layout is requested from the electronic device, the setting system transmits the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device, and the electronic device displays the operation screen according to the layout received from the setting system.

With this configuration, when an electronic device requests a layout from the setting system, the information processing system of the present invention sends the layout associated with that 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 device on the device itself. As a result, even when an administrator manages a large number of electronic devices, the possibility of an electronic device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

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. 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 with one computer. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of device information illustrated in FIG. 5 . FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of layout management information shown in FIG. 5 . 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the setting system shown in FIG. 5 when 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 displaying a device list. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a device list displayed on the user terminal shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 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 saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus. 1. FIG. 4 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 when a user logs in to an image forming apparatus using a combination of a user name and a password. 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. 1 when an image forming apparatus uses a ticket transmitted from an authentication and authorization system to utilize a 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 also include at least one other image forming device with 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, or the like.

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 with 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 a single computer or multiple computers. The document processing flow executed by the document processing flow execution system 40 is composed of 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 inputting an image read from a document by the scanner of an image forming device as the document, inputting a document located in a specific folder, or inputting a document attached to a received email. 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 portion of an image of a document, processing to perform specific image processing on an image of a document such as tilt correction, dot removal, and noise removal, 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 by email to a specific destination. The document processing flow execution system 40 is capable of saving multiple document processing flows.

The information processing system 10 can be equipped with an authentication and authorization system 50 that authenticates and authorizes users of the information processing system 10. The authentication and authorization system 50 may be configured with a single 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 sent from a user terminal and output spooled print data to one of the image forming devices. The authentication and authorization system 50 can also manage the use of image forming devices by users of the information processing system 10. The authentication and authorization system 50 can register an IC (Integrated Circuit) card ID for each user.

The information processing system 10 may be equipped with a user information retention system 60 that retains information about users of the information processing system 10. The user information retention system 60 may be configured with a single computer or multiple computers. The user information retention system 60 may also retain information used in a system other than the document processing flow execution system 40 or 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 a single 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 retention system 60, and the setting system 70 can be connected to communicate with each other 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 device 20 is a computer that includes an operation unit 21, which is an input device such as buttons 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 communicates 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 via a wired or wireless connection 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 device 20.

The storage unit 27 can store a client application program 27a, which is an application program for providing users 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 on the image forming device 20 during the manufacturing process of the image forming device 20, or may be additionally installed on the image forming device 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed on the image forming device 20 from a network.

The memory unit 27 is capable of storing an application program 27b that is different from the client application program 27a. The memory unit 27 is capable of storing at least one application program other than the client application program 27a, in addition to the application program 27b.

Only one application program can be installed on the image forming device 20. When installed, there are two types of application programs: an extended authentication application program that is launched 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. Client application program 27a is an extended authentication application program.

The memory unit 27 can store login method information 27c that indicates the login method on the authentication screen of the image forming device 20. The login method information 27c indicates one of the following methods: 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, or 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) that is 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 programs stored in the memory unit 27 or the ROM of the control unit 28.

The control unit 28 executes the client application program 27a to realize the client application 28a. The client application 28a can restrict the use of various functions of the image forming device 20, such as "scanning," which reads an image from an original document using the scanner 24; "print output," which prints various images, such as images based on print data received via the communication unit 26, onto a recording medium using the printer 23; "copying," which prints an image read from an original document using the scanner 24 onto a recording medium using the printer 23; "fax transmission," which sends an image read from an original document using the scanner 24 via fax communication using the fax communication unit 25; and "scan transmission," which sends an image read from an original document using the scanner 24 via communication unit 26, based on 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). By tapping a button arranged on the operation screen 80, the client application 28a can use the function associated with that button. Each button 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, "Workflow B" button 81b, "Workflow C" button 81c, and "Workflow D" button 81d are buttons associated with functions of the document processing flow execution system 40.

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

The buttons arranged on the operation screen 80 include, for example, a "Copy" button 83a for performing a copy operation using settings corresponding to values specified by the user each time; a "Send" button 83b for performing a scan transmission using settings corresponding to values specified by the user each time; a "Fax" button 83c for performing a fax transmission using settings corresponding to values specified by the user each time; a "Custom Box" button 83d for saving images read from a document by the scanner 24 in a specific area on the memory unit 27 and printing images saved in this area using 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 images 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 on the image forming device 20. 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 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 the 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 that are associated with at least one function of the image forming device 20, the document processing flow execution system 40, and the authentication and 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 comprises 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 via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a memory unit 34, which is a non-volatile memory 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 programs stored in the memory unit 34 or the ROM of the control unit 35.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of the setting system 70 when configured with a single computer.

As shown in FIG. 5, the setting system 70 includes an operation unit 71, which is an operation 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 external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection 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 the 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), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or 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 Figure 6 includes, for each image forming device, the product name, host name, IP (Internet Protocol) address, a serial ID which is identification information for the image forming device, and a MAC (Media Access Control) address which is identification information for the image forming device.

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

The memory unit 74 is capable of storing layout 74d of the operation screen of the image forming device. The memory unit 74 is capable of storing at least one other layout of the operation screen of the image forming device in addition to layout 74d.

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

Figure 7 shows an example of layout management information 74e.

The layout management information 74e shown in Figure 7 shows, for each image forming device, the identification information of the image forming device associated with the layout to be applied to the image forming device. Note that in Figure 7, "Device a," "Device b," "Device c," etc. are listed as the identification information of the image forming device. However, the identification information of the image forming device is actually, for example, at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming device.

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 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 implement the setting tool 75a. The setting tool 75a can install a client application program on the image forming device.

Next, we will explain the operation of the information processing system 10.

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

Figure 8 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") into the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. 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 receives the information addition instruction, it performs the operations shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8, 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 terminates the operation shown in Figure 8.

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 9 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 image forming device administrator can input an instruction to display a device list (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 performs the operation shown in Figure 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the setting tool 75a obtains the versions of the client application programs installed on 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 then ends the operation shown in Figure 9.

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

As shown in Figure 10, 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 Figure 10, image forming devices with the value "None" in the installed version column are image forming devices on which no client application programs are installed.

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

Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the configuration system 70 when installing a client application program on an 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 upload the client application program to be installed on the image forming device to the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. Once the client application program has been uploaded, the setting tool 75a performs the operations shown in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, the setting tool 75a stores the uploaded client application program in the memory unit 74 as a client application program 74c (S141).

The setting tool 75a then determines whether an installation reservation instruction has been received until it determines 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). The image forming device administrator can then input the installation reservation instruction into the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. In the installation reservation instruction, the image forming device administrator can specify, for example, immediate installation, a specific date and time specified by the image forming device administrator, a specific time each day specified by the image forming device administrator, a specific day each week specified by the image forming device administrator, or a specific date each month specified by the image forming device administrator, as the timing for installing the client application program on 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 timing reserved in S143 has arrived, it obtains the installed versions of the client application programs for the image forming devices from all image forming devices managed by the setting tool 75a itself (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 contained in the device information 74b.

Next, the setting tool 75a identifies, based on the information acquired in S145, image forming devices on which the client application program is not installed and image forming devices on which an older version of the client application program 74c to be installed (stored in S141) is installed (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. 11.

In addition, 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 saving the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device.

Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting system 70 when saving the layout of the operation screen of an 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") into the setting tool 75a via the user terminal. Upon receiving the edit start instruction, the setting tool 75a performs the operation shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, the setting tool 75a displays an operation screen editing screen 90 (see FIG. 13) for editing the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device on the user terminal that sent the editing start instruction (S161). Therefore, the control unit of the user terminal that sent the editing start instruction displays the operation screen editing screen 90 on the display unit of the user terminal itself, and transmits operations on the operation screen editing screen 90 via the operation unit of the user terminal itself to the setting system 70.

Figure 13 shows an example of the operation screen editing screen 90 displayed on the display unit of the user terminal.

As shown in FIG. 13, the operation screen editing screen 90 has an operation screen area 91 that shows an image of the layout of the operation screen of the image forming device. The operation screen area 91 has a total of 18 rectangular areas, arranged in 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 90 includes a "Document Processing Flow Execution System" button 92a for adding buttons associated with functions of the document processing flow execution system 40, such as the "Workflow A" button, "Workflow B" button, "Workflow C" button, and "Workflow D" button, to the operation screen area 91; an "Authentication Authorization System" button 92b for adding buttons associated with functions of the authentication authorization system 50, such as the "Print All" button, "My Jobs" button, and "IC Card Registration" button, to the operation screen area 91; an "Image Forming Device" button 92c for adding buttons associated with functions of the image forming device, such as the "Copy" button, "Send" button, "Fax" button, "Custom Box" button, "Job Box" button, "USB" button, and "Application" button, to the operation screen area 91; and an "Other" button 92d for adding a "Folder" button to the operation screen area 91.

The operation screen editing screen 90 has an "Open Properties" button 93a for setting the properties of the button selected in the operation screen area 91, and a "Delete Button" button 93b for deleting the button selected in the operation screen area 91. Button properties include the placement, size, color, name, and icon image of the button in the operation screen area 91. The color of the button in the operation screen area 91 refers to the background color of the icon image of the button in the operation screen area 91. The name of the button in the operation screen area 91 is the character string located below the icon image of the button in the operation screen area 91.

The operation screen editing screen 90 includes a cancel button 94a for canceling editing of the layout of the image forming device's operation screen, and a save button 94b for saving the layout of the image forming device's operation screen.

As shown in FIG. 12, after processing S161, the setting tool 75a determines whether the cancel button 94a has been pressed (S162).

If the setting tool 75a determines in S162 that the cancel button 94a has not been pressed, it determines whether the save button 94b has been pressed (S163).

If the setting tool 75a determines in S163 that the save button 94b has not been pressed, it executes processing in S162.

When the setting tool 75a determines in S163 that the save button 94b has been pressed, it saves the layout of the image forming device's operation screen set on the operation screen editing screen 90 in the memory unit 74 (S164).

When the setting tool 75a determines in S162 that the cancel button 94a has been pressed or executes the processing of S164, it terminates the display of the operation screen editing screen 90 on the user terminal (S165) and ends the operation shown in FIG. 12.

Next, we will explain the operation of the setting system 70 when setting a layout to be applied to an image forming device.

After logging in to the setting tool 75a via a user terminal, the image forming device administrator can input layout setting instructions (hereinafter referred to as "layout setting instructions") to be applied to the image forming device into the setting system 70 via the user terminal.

When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives a layout setting instruction, it changes the layout management information 74e in accordance with the received layout setting instruction.

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 14 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 Figure 14 is performed when the login method information 27c on the image forming device 20 indicates a method for logging in using a combination of a user name and password.

As shown in FIG. 14, if the 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 password, the client application 28a adopts the method for logging in using a combination of a user name and 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 username 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 determines whether to allow the user to log in (S183). Here, if the user name and password combination included in the request in S182 is included among the user name and password combinations held by the user information holding system 60 itself, i.e., if user authentication is successful, the user information holding system 60 determines to allow the user to log in. On the other hand, if the user name and password combination included in the request in S182 is not included among the user name and password combinations held by the user information holding system 60 itself, i.e., if user authentication is unsuccessful, the user information holding system 60 determines not to allow 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 login failure on the display unit 22 (S185) and ends the operation shown in FIG. 14.

On the other hand, if 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 sends 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 storage system 60 in S187, it requests the configuration system 70 for a layout to be applied to the image forming device 20 itself (S188). The client application 28a includes at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming device 20 itself in the request in S188.

When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives the request in S188, it identifies the layout to be applied to the image forming device 20 based on at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming device 20 included in the request in S188 and the layout management information 74e (S189), and 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, it displays an operation screen corresponding to this layout on the display unit 22 (S191), and then ends the operation shown in FIG. 14.

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 15 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, it requests the document processing flow execution system 40 to use the function (S201), as shown in FIG. 15. The image forming device 20 includes in the request in S201 the ticket sent from the user information holding system 60 in S187 (see FIG. 14).

When the document processing flow execution system 40 receives the request in S201, it queries the user information storage system 60 about the validity of the ticket included in the request in S201 (S202).

When the user information storage system 60 receives the inquiry in S202, it determines the legitimacy of the ticket whose legitimacy was inquired about in S202 (S203).

If the user information holding system 60 determines in S203 that the ticket whose validity was inquired in S202 is invalid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is invalid (S204). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 notifies the image forming device 20 that use of the function requested in S201 is not permitted (S205).

On the other hand, if the user information holding system 60 determines in S203 that the ticket whose validity was inquired in S202 is valid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is valid (S206). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 executes the function requested in S201 (S207) and notifies the image forming device 20 of the result of the execution in S207 (S208).

The above describes a case where the image forming device 20 uses the document processing flow execution system 40 using a ticket sent 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 using a ticket sent 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 16 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 Figure 16 is performed when a method for logging in using a PIN code is specified in the login method information 27c on the image forming device 20.

As shown in FIG. 16, if the 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 (S221). 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 S221.

When login is instructed on the authentication screen displayed in S221, the client application 28a requests the authentication authorization system 50 to log in the user (S222). This request includes the PIN code entered by the user via the operation unit 21 on the authentication screen displayed in S221.

When the authentication authorization system 50 receives the request in S222, it determines whether to permit the user to log in (S223). Here, if the PIN code contained in the request in S222 is included among the PIN codes held by the authentication authorization system 50 itself, that is, if the user authentication is successful, the authentication authorization system 50 determines to permit the user to log in. On the other hand, if the PIN code contained in the request in S222 is not included among the PIN codes held by the authentication authorization system 50 itself, that is, if the user authentication fails, the authentication authorization system 50 determines not to permit the user to log in.

If the authentication and authorization system 50 determines in S223 that the user's login is not permitted, it notifies the image forming device 20 that the user's login is not permitted (S224). Therefore, the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 displays a login failure on the display unit 22 (S225), and ends the operation shown in FIG. 16.

On the other hand, if the authentication and authorization system 50 decides in S223 to permit the user's login, it issues a ticket indicating that the authentication and authorization system 50 has permitted the user's login (S226) and sends the ticket issued in S226 to the image forming device 20 (S227).

When the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 receives the ticket sent from the authentication and authorization system 50 in S227, it requests the configuration system 70 for a layout to be applied to the image forming device 20 itself (S228). The client application 28a includes at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming device 20 itself in the request in S228.

When the setting tool 75a of the setting system 70 receives the request in S228, it identifies the layout to be applied to the image forming device 20 based on at least one of the serial ID and MAC address of the image forming device 20 included in the request in S228 and the layout management information 74e (S229), and transmits the layout identified in S229 to the image forming device 20 (S230).

When the client application 28a of the image forming device 20 receives the layout transmitted from the setting system 70 in S230, it displays an operation screen corresponding to this layout on the display unit 22 (S231), and then ends the operation shown in FIG. 16.

In Figure 16, we have explained the case where a user logs in to the image forming device 20 using a PIN code, but the same applies to the 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 document processing flow execution system 40 using a ticket sent from the authentication and authorization system 50.

Figure 17 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, it requests the document processing flow execution system 40 to use the function (S241), as shown in FIG. 17. The image forming device 20 includes in the request in S241 the ticket sent from the authentication and authorization system 50 in S227 (see FIG. 16).

When the document processing flow execution system 40 receives the request in S241, it queries the authentication and authorization system 50 about the validity of the ticket included in the request in S241 (S242).

When the authentication and authorization system 50 receives the inquiry in S242, it determines the legitimacy of the ticket whose legitimacy was inquired about in S242 (S243).

If the authentication and authorization system 50 determines in S243 that the ticket whose validity was inquired in S242 is invalid, it responds to the document processing flow execution system 40 that the ticket is invalid (S244). Therefore, the document processing flow execution system 40 notifies the image forming device 20 that use of the function requested in S241 is not permitted (S245).

On the other hand, if the authentication and authorization system 50 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 using a ticket sent from the authentication and authorization system 50, but the same applies to a case where the image forming device 20 uses the authentication and authorization system 50 using a ticket sent from the authentication and authorization system 50.

As explained above, when a layout is requested from an image forming device (S188 or S228), the setting system 70 sends the layout associated with that image forming device to the image forming device (S189-S190 or S229-S230). This allows the image forming device administrator 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 an administrator manages a large number of image forming devices, the possibility of an image forming device displaying an inappropriate operation screen can be reduced.

The setting system 70 installs the client application program that requests a layout from the setting system 70 onto the image forming device at the scheduled time (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 on the image forming device.

The configuration system 70 installs the client application program to be reserved 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 installed than the client application program to be reserved (S145-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 also 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 (a 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 (8)

A setting system for setting an operation screen in an electronic device,
storing the layout of the operation screen in association with the electronic device;
the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device;
A setting system characterized in that, when the layout is requested from the electronic device, the layout associated with this electronic device is transmitted to the electronic device. 2. The setting system according to claim 1, wherein the button is configured by an icon image and a background of the icon image. A setting program for setting an operation screen in an electronic device,
storing the layout of the operation screen in association with the electronic device in a computer;
the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device;
A setting program that causes the computer to transmit the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device when the layout is requested from the electronic device to the computer. 4. The setting program according to claim 3, wherein the button is configured by an icon image and a background of the icon image. Electronic devices and
a setting system for setting an operation screen of the electronic device;
Equipped with
the setting system stores the electronic device and the layout of the operation screen in association with each other;
the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device;
the electronic device requests the layout from the setting system;
the setting system, when the layout is requested from the electronic device, transmits the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device;
The information processing system is characterized in that the electronic device displays the operation screen according to the layout received from the setting system. 6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the button is composed of an icon image and a background of the icon image. A computer that sets an operation screen of an electronic device,
storing the layout of the operation screen in association with the electronic device;
the operation screen includes at least one of a button associated with a function of a system that executes a workflow, a button associated with a function of a system that executes authentication and authorization of a user of the electronic device, and a button associated with a function of the electronic device;
A computer that transmits the layout associated with the electronic device to the electronic device when the layout is requested by the electronic device. 8. The computer according to claim 7, wherein the button is composed of an icon image and a background of the icon image.