JP2023032940A - Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and the like that allow sharing of a setting history that is the history of set values by using information on a group to which users belong.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a job execution unit that executes a job based on set values; a storage unit that stores a setting history that is the history of set values during the execution of the job in association with users; an authentication unit that authenticates the users; an acquisition unit that acquires information on a group to which the users belong from an external service; and a control unit that, with the users included in the group as sharing users, performs control of extracting the setting history of the sharing users from the storage unit and displaying the setting history.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral has a function of leaving a history of setting values (setting history) at the time of job execution when a job is executed based on a user's operation. When executing a similar job, by referring to the history of setting values, the user can execute a job with the same settings without manually setting the job settings again.

Techniques for sharing the history of setting values have also been proposed. For example, by displaying a button that reflects job setting information set in the past with one touch (reuse job setting history) for users belonging to the same group as the user who executed the job, A technique for sharing a setting history with group members has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-158001

In recent years, the use of social networking services and messaging services (services for sending and receiving instant messages between users) has spread. These services (external services) may provide a function of creating and managing groups in which users of the service are members. However, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-100001 does not consider sharing setting histories based on group information created and managed by an external service.

In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus and the like capable of sharing a setting history, which is a history of setting values, using information of an external service group.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a job execution unit that executes a job based on setting values, and a setting history that is a history of setting values at the time of job execution in association with a user. an authentication unit that authenticates a user; an acquisition unit that acquires information on a group to which the user belongs from an external service; a user included in the group as a shared user; and a control unit that performs control for extracting and displaying from the storage unit.

Further, in the method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure, a job execution step of executing a job based on setting values and a setting history, which is a history of setting values at the time of job execution, are stored in a storage unit in association with a user. an authentication step of authenticating a user; an obtaining step of obtaining information on a group to which the user belongs from an external service; and a user included in the group as a shared user, and storing the setting history of the shared user. and a control step of performing control to extract and display from the part.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus or the like capable of sharing a setting history, which is a history of setting values, using group information of an external service.

1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the server apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the data structure of the account information in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the data structure of the group information in 1st Embodiment. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the data structure of the user information in 1st Embodiment. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing (a) the data structure of setting history information and (b) the data structure of job history information in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of belonging group information in the first embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting table in 1st Embodiment. 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing of the server device in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the flow of cooperative processing in the first embodiment; It is a figure which shows the operation example in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of cooperative processing in the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment; FIG. 12 is a flow diagram showing the flow of second cooperation processing in the third embodiment; It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the system in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the recognition apparatus in 4th Embodiment, and a camera apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the data structure of the recognition information in 4th Embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing the flow of processing of a recognition device in the fourth embodiment; It is a figure which shows the operation example in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the system in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the personnel server apparatus in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the data structure of the employee information in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of cooperation processing in 5th Embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of belonging group information in the sixth embodiment; FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of sharing prohibition information in the sixth embodiment; FIG. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the flow of sharing prohibition setting processing in the seventh embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of cooperative processing in the seventh embodiment; It is a figure which shows the operation example in 7th Embodiment.

An embodiment for carrying out the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are examples for explaining the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the invention described in the claims is not limited to the following descriptions.

[1. First Embodiment]
[1.1 Overall configuration]
A system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 of this embodiment is configured by connecting a server device 10 and an image forming device 20 via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, an external network such as the Internet, but may be any network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) as long as each device can exchange information with each other.

The server device 10 is an information processing device that provides a predetermined service, and is installed on a cloud, for example. The server device 10 may be configured by a plurality of information processing devices, or may be a virtual server implemented on any information processing device.

The predetermined service provided by the server device 10 is, for example, a messaging service (a service for sending and receiving instant messages between users) and a social networking service (SNS). In this embodiment, the service provided by the server device 10 is called an external service. An external service is a service that is not directly related to management of the image forming apparatus 20 . In addition, in the present embodiment, the server device 10 provides a user who uses an external service provided by the server device 10 with a function related to creation and management of a group whose members are users who use the external service.

The image forming apparatus 20 is an apparatus capable of forming (printing) a predetermined image on a recording medium such as recording paper. For example, the image forming apparatus 20 is a multi-function printer/peripheral (MFP) having copy function, facsimile function, print function, scan function, and the like.

[1.2 Functional configuration]
[1.2.1 Server Device]
A functional configuration of the server device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 , the server device 10 is configured with a control section 100 , a storage section 160 and a communication section 190 .

The control unit 100 controls the entire server device 10 . The control unit 100 implements various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 160, and is configured by one or a plurality of arithmetic units (for example, CPU (Central Processing Unit)). there is Also, the control unit 100 may be configured as an SoC (System on a Chip) having a plurality of functions among the functions described below.

The control unit 100 functions as a service providing unit 102 and a group management unit 104 by executing programs stored in the storage unit 160 . The service providing unit 102 provides external services. For example, the service providing unit 102 authenticates a user who uses an external service, and transmits/receives and manages information used in the external service. The group management unit 104 creates and manages groups of users who use external services, and transmits group information to other devices. Processing executed by the group management unit 104 will be described later.

The storage unit 160 stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the server device 10 . The storage unit 160 is configured by, for example, a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), which is a semiconductor memory, or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

The storage unit 160 secures an account information storage area 162 and a group information storage area 164 as storage areas.

The account information storage area 162 stores information (account information) on accounts of users who use external services. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the account information includes a user ID (e.g., "aaa00001"), which is identification information used to identify a user in an external service, and the user name of the user (e.g., "user A”), the password of the user (eg, “abc123”), and the E-mail address (eg, “USER_A@example.com”) that is attribute information of the user. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the password and E-mail address are used to authenticate the user in the external service.

The account information is stored by the server device 10 based on, for example, information provided by the user when the user starts using the external service or information (eg, user ID) generated by the server device 10 . Information other than the information described above may be stored in the account information.

The group information storage area 164 stores information (group information) of a group composed of users who use the external service. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the group information includes a group ID (e.g., "G00001"), which is identification information used to identify a group, and a group name of the group (e.g., "patent group"). and user IDs (for example, “aaa00001, aaa00002”) for identifying users belonging to the group.

The communication unit 190 communicates with an external device such as the image forming device 20 . The communication unit 190 includes, for example, a communication device such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) used in a wired/wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and a communication module. Communicate with the device.

[1.2.2 Image forming apparatus]
A functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a control section 200 , an image input section 220 , an image forming section 230 , a display section 240 , an operation section 250 , a storage section 260 and a communication section 290 .

The control unit 200 controls the entire image forming apparatus 20 . The control unit 200 implements various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 260, and is configured by one or a plurality of arithmetic units (for example, CPU). Also, the control unit 200 may be configured as an SoC (System on a Chip) having a plurality of functions among the functions described below.

The control unit 200 functions as an image processing unit 202 and a setting history information management unit 204 by executing programs stored in the storage unit 260 .

The image processing unit 202 performs processing related to various images. For example, the image processing unit 202 executes sharpening processing and gradation conversion processing on the image read by the image input unit 220 .

When a job is executed, the setting history information management unit 204 stores setting history information that associates the user who executed the job with the setting values at the time of job execution. A setting value is a value for each setting item that is input or selected by the user when a job is executed, such as an output tray, single-sided/double-sided setting, or the like. The setting history information management unit 204 basically stores all setting values set at the time of job execution (including destination/storage destination for transmission/storage jobs).

The job execution setting values are the setting values of items that can be set on the job setting screen. The setting history information management unit 204 is set at the time of job execution regardless of whether a function (program registration) for storing predetermined setting values in advance and reading the setting values is available or not, and regardless of the setting values stored by the program registration function. memorize the set value.

Note that the setting history information management unit 204 may exclude some setting values from being stored. For example, if the job setting screen is divided into a basic screen and a detailed screen, the setting history information management unit 204 may store only the setting values of items that can be set on the basic screen. The setting history information management unit 204 also manages setting values of setting items that affect (relate to) setting values of system settings (settings that can be changed only by a specific user such as an administrator of the image forming apparatus 20). , the set value at the time of job execution is stored in the setting history information. Note that the setting history information management unit 204 may exclude setting values of setting items that cannot be set on the basic screen and can be set only in the system settings.

In addition, the setting history information management unit 204 stores setting values of setting items whose appropriate setting values differ depending on the situation at the time of execution, setting values of setting items that are not included in the basic screen depending on the job type, and setting values each time the job is executed. The setting value of the setting item whose setting value is returned to the initial value may be excluded from the storage target. For example, in the setting history information management unit 204, regarding the copy function and the facsimile function, the setting values such as setting whether preview editing is performed or not, and setting values for editing such as page deletion and specified range deletion in the preview image are input by the document to be read. Since the operation to be performed is different, it may be excluded from the storage target. In addition, the setting history information management unit 204, regarding the copy function, sets the trace information print (function for printing the serial number of the image forming apparatus 20 and the date and time when the job was executed) on the basic setting screen of the copy function. Since there is no setting item in , it may be excluded from storage. In addition, the setting history information management unit 204 may exclude setting values for volume adjustment, etc., from being stored, because once the line is disconnected, they return to the initial values. The set value to be excluded from storage may be set in advance or may be set by an administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 .

Also, the setting history information management unit 204 may limit some of the setting values to be stored. For example, the setting history information management unit 204 stores the selection state of the tray for the set value of the setting item for paper selection regarding the copy function, but does not need to store the paper size and paper type. Also, the setting history information management unit 204 may switch whether to store the setting value according to the setting value input by the user. For example, the setting history information management unit 204 may store the setting values when sequential polling is selected in the polling setting items of the facsimile function, and may not store the setting values when manual polling is selected. .

The image input unit 220 inputs image data to the image forming apparatus 20 . For example, the image input unit 220 is configured by a scanning device or the like capable of reading an image and generating image data. The scanning device converts an image into an electrical signal using an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CIS (Contact Image Sensor), and quantizes and encodes the electrical signal to generate digital data.

The image forming unit 230 forms (prints) an image on a recording medium such as recording paper. The image forming unit 230 is configured by, for example, a laser printer using an electrophotographic method.

The display unit 240 displays various information. The display unit 240 is configured by a display device such as an LCD, an organic EL display, a micro LED display, or the like.

Operation unit 250 receives an operation by a user who uses image forming apparatus 20 . The operation unit 250 is configured by an input device such as a touch sensor. A general detection method such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or an electrostatic capacitance method may be used as a method for detecting an input in the touch sensor. Note that the image forming apparatus 20 may be equipped with a touch panel in which the display unit 240 and the operation unit 250 are integrally formed.

The storage unit 260 stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 . The storage unit 260 is configured by, for example, a storage device such as an SSD, which is a semiconductor memory, or an HDD.

The storage unit 260 secures a user information storage area 262, a setting history information storage area 264, a job history information storage area 265, and an affiliation group information storage area 266 as storage areas, and further stores a setting table 268. do.

The user information storage area 262 stores information of users who use the image forming apparatus 20 (user information). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the user information includes a user ID (for example, "userA"), which is identification information used to identify the user of the image forming apparatus 20, and the user name of the user (for example, “User A”), the password of the user (eg “abc123”), and the E-mail address (eg “USER_A@example.com”) which is the attribute information of the user.

The user information is registered (stored) by, for example, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 when the user starts using the image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, the password and e-mail address included in the user information may store the same information as the password and e-mail address used for user authentication in the external service.

The setting history information storage area 264 stores setting history information. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the setting history information includes a job ID (for example, "0025") that identifies the job, the executed job type (for example, "copy"), and the job. A user ID that identifies the user who executed the job (for example, “userA”), and setting values for executing the job (for example, “output tray: tray 1, single-sided double-sided: single-sided→single-sided, staple: stapleless staple”) , and the execution date and time of the job (for example, “2021/04/01 16:20:50”).

The job type included in the setting history information is information indicating the function (for example, copy, fax, print, scan) of the image forming apparatus 20 corresponding to the job executed by the user. As the job type, a function name and a code for specifying the function are stored.

The job history information storage area 265 stores information (job history information) on the history of job execution records. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the setting history information includes a job ID (for example, "0025") that identifies the job, the executed job type (for example, "copy"), and the name of the job. The date and time of execution (for example, "2021/04/01 16:20:50") and the processing status of the job (for example, "finished") are included.

Unlike the setting history information, the job history information is information indicating the job execution history. Therefore, it does not include the information of the setting values at the time of job execution. The job history information is generated and stored, for example, immediately after the job is completed or after the setting history information is generated.

The affiliation group information storage area 266 stores information (affiliation group information) of the external service group to which the user of the image forming apparatus 20 belongs. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the belonging group information includes a user ID for identifying a user (for example, "userA") and a group ID for identifying a group to which the user belongs (for example, "G00001"). and the group name of the group (for example, "patent group").

The setting table 268 is a table that stores settings related to sharing of setting history information. The setting table 268, as shown in FIG. 9, includes item names (eg, "number of copies") and selected values of the items (eg, "valid"). Either "valid" or "invalid" is stored as the selection value. In the example of FIG. 9, the setting table 268 contains information (D102 in FIG. 9) indicating whether or not the setting history information can be shared (D100 in FIG. 9), information indicating whether or not to set shared information (setting values) (D102 in FIG. 9), and , indicates that information (D104 in FIG. 9) indicating whether or not to share a setting value (whether to share each setting value) is included for each information (setting item) included in the setting history information. Here, the setting shown in D104 of FIG. 9 is obtained by selecting sharing OK information (setting value) and sharing NG information (setting value).

For example, if sharing of setting history information is enabled and setting of information to be shared is disabled, all setting values included in the setting history information are shared. Further, for example, if the sharing of setting history information is enabled and the setting of the information to be shared is enabled, the setting value set to be shared among the setting values included in the setting history information (selected from D104). The setting value corresponding to the item whose value is "valid") is shared.

The shared information (setting values) may be classified by job type. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, it may be possible to set whether or not to share the number of copies and color mode setting values corresponding to copying (copy settings), and to set destinations and subject names corresponding to scanning (scan settings). Whether or not the value can be shared may be set.

The setting table 268 is stored by, for example, an administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 or the like. With the setting table 268, it is possible to set whether or not to share the setting history information, and to set whether or not to share each setting value included in the setting history information. Although the setting table 268 shown in FIG. 9 indicates whether or not the setting values can be shared for some job types, it is possible to similarly set whether or not the setting values can be shared for other job types.

The communication unit 290 communicates with an external device such as the server device 10 . The communication unit 290 is configured by the same communication device and communication module as the communication unit 190 .

[1.3 Flow of processing]
[1.3.1 Server device processing]
With reference to FIG. 10, the processing related to group management executed by the server device 10 will be described. The processing shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the control unit 100 reading out a program stored in the storage unit 160 and realizing the function of the group management unit 104 .

First, the group management unit 104 determines whether or not an operation for creating a group (group creation operation) has been performed. When the group creation operation is performed, the group information is stored (step S100; Yes→step S102). A group creation operation is, for example, a request (group creation request) to create a group from a terminal device (for example, a smartphone) used by a user of the external service via an application (dedicated application) for using the external service. is an operation to send Also, the group creation request is transmitted together with information necessary for group creation, such as the group name.

When the group management unit 104 receives a group creation request from the terminal device, it issues a group ID and stores the group information including the group ID and the group name received from the terminal device in the group information storage area 164 . Note that the group management unit 104 omits the process of step S102 when the group creation operation is not performed (step S100; No).

Subsequently, the group management unit 104 determines whether or not an operation to add or delete a member of the group (member change operation) has been performed. When the member change operation is performed, the group information stored in the belonging group information storage area 266 is updated (step S104; Yes→step S106). The member change operation is, for example, an operation of sending a request (member change request) for changing (adding or deleting) members of a group from a terminal device used by a user of an external service via a dedicated application. A member change request is sent together with, for example, a group ID, a user ID, and information indicating addition or deletion of a member.

When the group management unit 104 receives a member change request from the terminal device, the group management unit 104 executes processing according to the member change request. For example, when the group management unit 104 receives information indicating the addition of a member together with a member change request from the terminal device, the group management unit 104 adds the user ID received from the terminal device to the group information including the group ID received from the terminal device. Further, for example, when the group management unit 104 receives information indicating member deletion together with a member change request from the terminal device, the group management unit 104 deletes the user ID received from the terminal device from the group information including the group ID received from the terminal device. do.

The member change operation is an operation of sending a request to withdraw from the group, or an operation of accessing a specific URL (Uniform Resource Locator) corresponding to the identification code (invitation code) for joining the group. good. The identification code is a character or image (for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark)) indicating information about the group, and is issued from a service provided by the server device 10 (for example, a social networking service). The identification code may be a code that enables participation in the group corresponding to the identification code by being read via a dedicated application. In this case, the identification code is used when the user invites other users to the group. In addition, the group management unit 104 omits the process of step S106 when the addition or deletion of a member is not performed (step S104; No).

Subsequently, the group management unit 104 determines whether or not a request (group acquisition request) for acquiring information on the group to which the user using the external service belongs is received (step S108). The group acquisition request is transmitted by, for example, calling an API (Application Programming Interface) provided by the server device 10 . Also, the group acquisition request includes, for example, the user ID.

When the group acquisition request is received, the group management unit 104 transmits information on the group to which the user identified by the user ID included in the group acquisition request belongs to the device that sent the group acquisition request (step S108; Yes→step S110). For example, the group management unit 104 reads group information including the user ID included in the group acquisition request from the group information storage area 164, and stores the group ID and group name included in the group information in the device that sent the group acquisition request. Send to When the user belongs to a plurality of groups, the group management unit 104 collectively or divides the information of all the groups to which the user belongs, and transmits the information to the device that sent the group acquisition request. If the group management unit 104 does not receive the group acquisition request, the group management unit 104 omits the process of step S110 (step S108; No).

Subsequently, the group management unit 104 determines whether or not a request for acquiring the members of the designated group (group member acquisition request) has been received (step S112). A group member acquisition request is transmitted by, for example, calling an API provided by the server device 10 . Also, the group member acquisition request includes, for example, a group ID.

When the group management unit 104 receives a group member acquisition request, the group management unit 104 transmits information on users belonging to the group identified by the group ID included in the group member acquisition request to the device that sent the group member acquisition request ( Step S112; Yes→step S114). For example, the group management unit 104 acquires group information including the group ID received in step S112 from the group information storage area 164. FIG. Further, the group management unit 104 transmits user information (for example, user ID and e-mail address) included in the acquired group information to the device that is the transmission source of the group acquisition request. If the group management unit 104 does not receive the group member acquisition request, the group management unit 104 omits the process of step S114 (step S112; No).

Subsequently, the group management unit 104 determines whether or not a request for issuing an identification code (identification code issuance request) has been received (step S116). The identification code issuance request is transmitted by calling an API provided by the server device 10, for example. Also, the identification code issue request includes, for example, a group ID.

When receiving the identification code issuance request, the group management unit 104 issues an identification code corresponding to the group identified by the group ID included in the identification code issuance request, and transmits the identification code to the device that sent the identification code issuance request. (Step S116; Yes→Step S118). If the group management unit 104 does not receive the identification code acquisition request, the group management unit 104 omits the process of step S118 (step S116; No).

[1.3.2 Processing of Image Forming Apparatus]
Main processes executed by the image forming apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG. This processing is executed by the control unit 200 reading a program stored in the storage unit 260 . It is assumed that the image forming apparatus 20 of this embodiment has a user authentication function enabled.

First, the control unit 200 identifies a user (operating user) who operates the image forming apparatus 20 by performing user authentication (step S120). For example, the control unit 200 displays a screen for entering a user ID and password on the display unit 240 . When user information including the user ID and password input by the user is stored in user information storage area 262, control unit 200 identifies the user corresponding to the user ID as the operating user.

Subsequently, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation to display the setting history information (step S122). When an operation other than the operation of displaying the setting history information is performed, the control unit 200 executes a predetermined process based on the user's operation, and returns to step S122 (step S122; No→step S126→step S122).

On the other hand, when an operation to display setting history information is performed, the control unit 200 displays a list of setting history information of the operating user in a selectable manner on the display unit 240 (step S122; Yes→step S124). For example, the control unit 200 acquires the setting history information including the user ID of the user identified in step S120 from the setting history information storage area 264, and lists items of job type and setting value information in descending order of execution date and time. display. In the present embodiment, a screen displaying a list of selectable setting history information is referred to as a setting history screen.

Subsequently, the control unit 200 cooperates with the external service and determines whether or not an operation (coordination operation) for linking information of groups managed by the external service has been performed (step S128). A cooperation operation is, for example, an operation of selecting a cooperation button displayed on the setting history screen.

When the cooperative operation is performed, the control unit 200 executes cooperative processing (step S128; Yes→step S130). Coordination processing is a process of setting a user (shared user) of a group (shared group) with which setting history information is shared using group information managed by an external service, and displaying the setting history information of the shared user. is. Coordination processing will be described later. By executing the cooperation process, the setting history information of the operating user and other users who belong to the same group as the group to which the operating user belongs is displayed on the setting history screen. It should be noted that the control unit 200 omits the execution of the process in step S130 when the cooperative operation is not performed (step S128; No).

Subsequently, when the setting history information is selected from the setting history screen by the user, the control unit 200 expands the setting values included in the selected setting history information to perform job settings (calling of settings). Yes (step S132; Yes→step S134). For example, if the job type is "copy" and the setting value is "output tray: tray 1, single-sided double-sided: single-sided → single-sided, staple: stapleless staple", the control unit 200 sets the output tray to tray 1, single-sided double-sided A copy job can be executed by changing the setting from one-sided to one-sided (setting to read one-sided and output to one-sided) and setting the staple setting to stapleless staple.

When the setting screen is displayed, the control unit 200 refers to the setting table 268 and reflects only the setting values to be shared in the setting values of the corresponding setting items on the setting screen. You may make a call.

In addition, the control unit 200 calls the setting values of the setting items that affect the setting values of the system settings according to the setting state of the system settings when the settings are called. Setting items that affect system setting values include, for example, toner saving mode, facsimile sender printing, electronic signature/encryption transmission, and the like. When a setting value (default value) of a setting item that affects the setting value of the system setting is set in the system setting at the time the job is executed, the control unit 200 restores the setting set in the system setting. value may be used. In this case, the control unit 200 may use the setting value stored in the setting history information when the setting value of the setting item that affects the setting value of the system setting is not set.

It should be noted that the control unit 200 accepts an operation for changing setting values and an operation for executing a job by the user via the setting screen. When a job execution operation is performed, the control unit 200 executes the job based on the set values (step S136). At this time, the control unit 200 issues a job ID. After executing the job, the control unit 200 (setting history information management unit 204) stores the setting history information in association with the user (step S138). For example, the setting history information management unit 204 generates setting history information including the job ID issued in step S136, the job type, the user ID of the operating user, the setting values to be stored, and the execution date and time of the job. and stored in the setting history information storage area 264 .

It should be noted that, if the setting history information is not selected in step S132, the control unit 200 returns to step S128 (step S132; No→step S128).

Further, after executing the process in step S136 or step S138, the control unit 200 may generate job history information regarding the executed job separately from the setting history information, and store the job history information in the job history information storage area 265. FIG. Note that the control unit 200 may display the job history information on the display unit 240 in the process of step S126, for example.

[1.3.3 Cooperation processing]
The flow of cooperation processing will be described with reference to FIG. 12 . First, the control unit 200 attempts to log in to the external service (server device 10), and if the login is successful, transmits a group acquisition request to the external service (step S150). For example, the control unit 200 reads user information including the user ID of the operating user from the user information storage area 262, and transmits the E-mail address and password included in the read user information to the external service. try to login. When notified by the external service that the login has succeeded, the control unit 200 transmits a group acquisition request including the user ID of the operating user to the external service.

Subsequently, control unit 200 receives information on the group to which the operating user belongs from the external service (server device 10) (step S152), and stores belonging group information based on the received information in belonging group information storage area 266. (Step S154). For example, the control unit 200 receives one or a plurality of group name information corresponding to the group ID from the server device 10 . Control unit 200 determines whether belonging group information including the user ID, group ID, and group name of the operating user is already stored in belonging group information storage area 266 for each group name information corresponding to the group ID. judge. If not stored, group information including the user ID, group ID, and group name of the operating user is generated and stored in the group information storage area 266 .

Note that if group information corresponding to the operating user's belonging group information is not included in the group information received from the external service (server device 10), the control unit 200 may delete the belonging group information. . As a result, the control unit 200 can prevent the belonging group information of the group from which the operating user has withdrawn from remaining in the belonging group information storage area 266 .

Subsequently, the control unit 200 determines whether or not there are multiple groups to which the operating user belongs (step S156). When the operating user belongs to a plurality of groups, the control unit 200 causes the operating user to specify (select) one group from among the groups to which the operating user belongs, and selects the group specified by the user (step S156). ; Yes→step S158). On the other hand, if there is only one group to which the operating user belongs, the control unit 200 selects the group (step S156; No→step S160).

Subsequently, the control unit 200 sets shared users based on the group selected in step S158 or step S160 (step S162). For example, the control unit 200 acquires the group ID of the selected group, and acquires belonging group information in which the group ID is stored from the belonging group information storage area 266 . Furthermore, the control unit 200 acquires the user ID included in the acquired group information. Thereby, the control unit 200 makes users included in (belonging to) the same group as the selected group as shared users of the shared group.

Next, the control unit 200 acquires (extracts) the shared user's setting history information by reading the setting history information including the shared user's user ID set in step S162 from the setting history information storage area 264 (step S164). ).

Furthermore, the control unit 200 displays a list of the setting history information acquired in step S164 in a selectable manner on the display unit 240 (step S166). At this time, the control unit 200 refers to the setting table 268 and selects setting values to be shared (setting values that are set to be sharable) among the setting values stored in the setting history information. can be extracted and displayed.

[1.4 Operation example]
Next, an operation example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of operations in this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 20 of the present embodiment implements sharing of setting history information by the user performing the following procedure.
(1) The image forming apparatus 20 performs user registration of a user who uses the image forming apparatus 20 . At this time, the same information as the user ID and E-mail address stored in the account information of the external service is registered.
(2) The image forming apparatus 20 logs in to the external service using the information of the operating user and requests the information of the group to which the operating user belongs, thereby searching and acquiring the information used for setting the shared group.
(3) The image forming apparatus 20 acquires group information from an external service and stores it.
(4) The image forming apparatus 20 displays a setting history screen of users (shared users) belonging to the same group as the group to which the operating user belongs.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen of the dedicated application. FIG. 14A is a screen example of the screen W110 when a group named Patent Group is created in the dedicated application. A group is created by a user via a dedicated application. FIG. 14B shows a screen W120 inviting a user with whom setting history information is shared. The user can add users required for sharing (user A and user B in the example of FIG. 14) to the group. Users belonging to the group are the targets for sharing the setting history information on the image forming apparatus 20 side.

FIG. 15 shows a screen (user registration screen) for registering a user who uses the image forming apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. For example, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 inputs basic information of the user who uses the image forming apparatus 20 via the user registration screen W130 shown in FIG. Memorize. As user information, a password (E130 in FIG. 15A) and an e-mail address (E132 in FIG. 15A) registered in the external service are registered. The information of the external service may be registered by the user after the user's basic information is registered by the administrator.

When user A and user B are registered, user A and user B are displayed on the user list screen W140 shown in FIG. 15(b) (E140 in FIG. 15(b)). At this time, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 enables the sharing of setting history information and the user authentication function of the image forming apparatus 20 in the system settings.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a setting history screen W150 before cooperation with an external service is established. A user (for example, user A) logs in to the image forming apparatus 20 and performs an operation for displaying setting history information (for example, an operation for pressing a "recent job" button) to obtain his/her own setting history. A setting history screen W150 containing information can be displayed. The setting history screen W150 includes a link button B150 for linking with an external service.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a setting history screen when cooperating with an external service. When a link button (for example, link button B150 in FIG. 16) is selected, image forming apparatus 20 communicates with an external service (server apparatus 10) as shown in FIG. 17(a). At this time, the image forming apparatus 20 attempts to log in to the external service using the E-mail address and password of the user currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 20 (operating user). After successful login, the image forming apparatus 20 acquires information on the group to which the operating user belongs. If the same user as the user belonging to the group is registered in the image forming apparatus 20, the user becomes the shared user.

For example, when User A and User B belong to a patent group, and User B has already linked with an external service, belonging group information indicating that User B belongs to the patent group is 20 is stored. When user A cooperates with the external service, the image forming apparatus 20 acquires information indicating that user A belongs to the patent group from the server device 10, and treats the following users as shared users.
• User A who is currently logged in.
• User B belongs to the same patent group as user A, and information indicating that the user B belongs to the patent group is stored (registered) in the image forming apparatus 20 .

FIG. 17B is a diagram showing a setting history screen W160 on which setting history information shared by shared users is displayed. Note that if there are a plurality of groups to which the operating user belongs, the image forming apparatus 20 may display the groups to which the operating user belongs on the display unit 240 so that it is possible to select which group of users is to be a shared user. good. FIG. 17B is a setting history screen when the group "patent group" is selected, and setting history information that can be shared by user A and user B is displayed. Note that, as shown in FIG. 17B, the setting history screen when the external service is linked includes an area E162 for displaying the group name corresponding to the shared user, information on the shared user (user name or icon) may be included.

In the external service, the following changes may be made if shared users can be set using information on created and managed groups.

For example, when an album is created in a group of an external service and photos (images) are posted in the album, the image forming apparatus 20 can also share the album, and the photos (images) posted in the album can be shared. may be printed or sent. In this case, the group information includes information including information about images posted to the group. When the image forming apparatus 20 acquires information of a group including information of an image, the image forming apparatus 20 shares the setting history information and the image among the shared users based on the group, and executes a job based on the image to obtain the image. can be output.

Also, the start date and time of the setting history information to be shared may be determined. For example, in step S154 of FIG. 12, the control unit 200 stores belonging group information including storage date and time. Further, in step S164 of FIG. 12, the control unit 200 reads belonging group information including the group ID corresponding to the shared user and the user ID of the operating user, and acquires the storage date and time. Then, the image forming apparatus 20 acquires the setting history information whose execution date and time is later than the storage date and time. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 20 can display only the setting history information of the jobs executed by the shared user after acquiring the information indicating that the operating user has been added to the group on the setting history screen. In other words, the image forming apparatus 20 excludes setting history information of jobs executed before acquiring information indicating that the operating user has been added to the group, from the target of sharing. As a result, for example, when a certain user is transferred to a new department, the information of jobs executed in the department before the transfer (for example, destinations of transmission-related jobs, etc.) is kept confidential.

Note that the start date and time of the setting history information to be shared may be set for each user or each group. Also, if the start date and time of the setting history information to be shared is not set, the belonging group information that does not include the storage date and time information may be stored. If the belonging group information acquired in step S164 of FIG. 12 does not include the storage date and time, the control unit 200 acquires all setting history information of the shared user. Alternatively, a period of setting history information to be shared may be set instead of the start date and time, and the setting history information of jobs executed within the period may be shared.

Further, in the present embodiment, the user information of the image forming apparatus 20 and the information used for user authentication performed by the external service (server apparatus 10) are the same. Alternatively, information used for external services may be stored. That is, the user information stored in the image forming apparatus 20 may include a password used for user authentication and a password used for logging in to an external service as separate information. In addition to the E-mail address used for using the image forming apparatus 20, the user information may include an E-mail address used for logging in to an external service.

The image forming apparatus 20 may also perform necessary error processing. For example, if it is not possible to log in to the external service in step S150 of FIG. 12, the control unit 200 may display a message indicating that the login is not possible and terminate the processing in FIG. If there is no group to which the operating user belongs in step S152 of FIG. 12, the control unit 200 displays a message indicating that the group to which the operating user belongs does not exist, and ends the processing in FIG. good too.

As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can set settings for groups (shared users, shared groups) that share setting history information by cooperating with an external service. This allows the user to share the setting history information within a preset group in the external service. For example, by creating a group of users belonging to the same department in the external service, the user can share setting history information of frequently used settings in the department with users belonging to the same department. Each user within the department. When executing a job with the same settings, it is possible to reduce the trouble of manually setting the same job settings each time.

Further, by linking an external service used by many users with the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the user can directly use a group created by the external service on the image forming apparatus. As a result, for example, the administrator of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can reduce the time and effort of initial setting (creation of a shared group, management of users).

[2. Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is an embodiment in which, in addition to the processing in the first embodiment, a user who has left the group in the external service or a user who has been added to the group is reflected in the shared group (shared user). This embodiment replaces FIG. 12 with FIG. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same processes as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

Coordination processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 18 . The control unit 200 acquires information on the members of the group selected in step S158 or step S160 (hereinafter referred to as the selected group). Therefore, the control unit 200 transmits a group member acquisition request including the group ID of the selected group to the external service (server device 10) (step S200), and obtains information on the members of the selected group from the external service (server device 10). Receive (step S202).

Subsequently, the control unit 200 deletes the belonging group information of the withdrawn user (step S204). For example, the control unit 200 executes the following processes.
(1) The control unit 200 acquires the user ID of the image forming apparatus 20 corresponding to the received information on the members of the selected group. Note that the acquired user IDs are referred to as a user ID group.
(2) The control unit 200 acquires belonging group information including the selected group ID from the belonging group information storage area 266 . The acquired belonging group information is described as belonging group information group.
(3) The control unit 200 selects one belonging group information from the belonging group information group, and determines whether or not the user ID included in the belonging group information is included in the user ID group.
(4) If the user ID included in the belonging group information is not included in the user ID group, the control unit 200 deletes the belonging group information.
(5) The control unit 200 executes the processes (3) and (4) for all belonging group information contained in the group of belonging group information.

In (1), if the member information transmitted from the external service (server device 10) is an E-Mail address, the control unit 200 stores the user information including the E-Mail address in the user information storage area 262. The user ID is acquired by reading from.

On the other hand, the member information transmitted from the external service (server device 10) may be information other than the E-mail address (for example, the user ID in the external service, etc.). In this case, information (correspondence information) corresponding to member information transmitted from the external service (server device 10) is stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 20 as user information. In (1), the control unit 200 acquires a user ID by reading user information whose correspondence information matches the member information transmitted from the external service (server device 10) from the user information storage area 262.

By executing the process of step S204, the control unit 200 can delete the belonging group information of the user who does not belong to the group. As a result, users who do not belong to the group are not set as shared users in step S162. In this way, when the control unit 200 acquires group information from an external service (server device 10), if there is a user who has left (deleted or withdrawn from) the group in the external service, the control unit 200 The removed user can be excluded from the shared users.

Subsequently, the control unit 200 stores the group information to which the newly added user belongs (step S206). For example, the control unit 200 executes the following processes.
(1) The control unit 200 selects one user ID from the user ID group acquired in step S204.
(2) The control unit 200 searches the belonging group information including the selected user ID from the belonging group information group acquired in step S204.
(3) If the belonging group information is not found in (2), the control unit 200 returns the belonging group information including the group name and group ID of the selected group and the user ID selected in (1) to the belonging group information. Stored in memory area 266 .
(4) The control unit 200 executes the processes (3) and (4) for all user IDs included in the user ID group.

By executing the process of step S206, the control unit 200 can store the belonging group information of the user newly added to the group. As a result, the users who have joined the group are set as shared users in step S162. In this way, when the control unit 200 acquires group information from an external service (server device 10), if there is a user added to the group in the external service, the shared user corresponding to the group can be included in the added users.

The image forming apparatus 20 of this embodiment performs, for example, the following operations.
(1) User A and user B belong to a "patent group", and user A and user B cooperate with an external service. As a result, the image forming apparatus 20 can set the user A and the user B as shared users corresponding to the "patent group".
(2) User A withdraws from the "patent group".
(3) User B logs into the image forming apparatus 20, cooperates with an external service, and selects "patent group". At this point, user A does not exist in the "patent group".
(4) The image forming apparatus 20 deletes the belonging group information of the user A by the process of step S204. Accordingly, in step S162, the image forming apparatus 20 does not include the user A as a shared user corresponding to the "patent group".
By the above processing, user A's setting history information is no longer shared with user B. FIG.

In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when there is a change in a member belonging to a group managed by an external service, the change in the member can be automatically followed by the group (shared user) sharing the history. . As a result, the user of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can save the trouble of managing the members of shared users of the setting history information.

By withdrawing from the group, the user can prevent other users belonging to the group from sharing the setting history information (unlink).

[3. Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, in addition to the processing in the first embodiment, when the identification code of the group is read by the terminal device operated by the user, the user and the users belonging to the group are made shared users. form. This embodiment replaces FIG. 11 of the first embodiment with FIG. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same processes as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[3.1 Processing of Image Forming Apparatus]
Main processing executed by the image forming apparatus 20 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 19 . In the present embodiment, in step S128, if the cooperative operation has not been performed, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the identification code display operation has been performed (step S128; No→step S300). The identification code display operation is, for example, an operation of selecting a button for displaying the identification code displayed on the setting history screen.

When the display operation of the identification code is performed, the control unit 200 executes second cooperation processing described later (step S300; Yes→step S302). If the identification code display operation is not performed, the control unit 200 returns to step S128 (step S302; No→step S128).

[3.2 Second cooperation processing]
The flow of the second cooperation process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the control unit 200 transmits an identification code issuance request to the external service (server device 10) (step S320). For example, the control unit 200 reads the belonging group information from the belonging group information storage area 266 and acquires the group ID included in the belonging group information. Furthermore, the control unit 200 transmits an identification code issue request including the acquired group ID to the server device 10 .

Subsequently, the control unit 200 displays the identification code of each group by displaying the identification code received from the external service (server device 10) on the setting history screen or the like (step S322).

Subsequently, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the identification code has been read by the terminal device or the like (step S324). For example, the image forming apparatus 20 receives the information indicated by the identification code from the terminal device, and if the received information matches any of the identification code information displayed in step S322, the identification code is read. Judge. In this embodiment, a group corresponding to an identification code read by a terminal device or the like is referred to as a target group.

When the identification code is read, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the operating user belongs to the target group (step S326). For example, the control unit 200 determines that the operating user belongs to the target group when information indicating that the operating user has participated in the target group is received or notified from the external service (server device 10). Note that the control unit 200 does not receive information indicating that the user belongs to the target group for a certain period of time after the identification code is read, or if the user performs an operation indicating that the user does not belong to the target group. may determine that the user does not belong to the group.

When the operating user belongs to the target group (step S326; Yes), the control unit 200 stores group information to which the operating user belongs by executing the same processes as steps S150 to S154 of the first embodiment. . In this way, the control unit 200 uses the identification code to acquire information about the group to which the operating user belongs from an external service (such as a social networking service). On the other hand, if the operating user does not belong to any group (step S326; No), the control unit 200 omits the processes from step S150 to step S154.

Subsequently, the control unit 200 sets a shared user (step S328). Specifically, when the user belongs to the target group, the control unit 200 sets the shared user by the same processing as in step S162 of the first embodiment. On the other hand, when the user does not belong to the target group, the control unit 200 acquires belonging group information including the group ID corresponding to the target group from the belonging group information storage area 266 . Then, the control unit 200 sets the user corresponding to the user ID included in the acquired belonging group information and the operating user as shared users.

Subsequently, the control unit 200 displays the shared user's setting history information by executing the same processing as in steps S164 and S166 of the first embodiment. In this way, the control unit 200 allows the operating user to participate in the shared group through processing on the image forming apparatus 20 side.

By executing the above-described processing, setting history information can be shared even when the operating user does not belong to a group that desires sharing of setting history information. On the other hand, there are cases where it is not appropriate to be able to share setting history information without restrictions. Therefore, the control unit 200 may limit the sharing of setting history information as in the method described below.

(Method 1)
The control unit 200 prompts the operating user to enter a password (password for entering the group corresponding to the identification code) before displaying the identification code. The password may be predetermined by an administrator or the like of the image forming apparatus 20, or may be set manually or automatically according to the group (for example, by executing a predetermined password generation process).

In this case, the control unit 200 allows the user to select one group before executing the process of step S322 in FIG. When one group is selected by the user, the control unit 200 displays a screen for entering a password on the display unit 240 . When an appropriate password is entered by the user, control unit 200 displays the identification code of the group selected by the user. After that, the control unit 200 executes the processes after step S324 in FIG.

(Method 2)
The control unit 200 automatically distributes the application mail to the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20 before displaying the identification code. When permitting the application, the administrator displays the identification code on the dedicated application of the terminal device used by the applicant, or transmits the identification code by E-mail.

In this case, the control unit 200 allows the user to select one group instead of executing step S322 of FIG. When one group is selected by the user, the control unit 200 predetermines an E-mail (application mail) containing information about the selected group (for example, group name and group ID) and information about the operating user. Send to specified destination (e.g. administrator).

A user (for example, an administrator) who has received the application mail sends a message or e-mail containing the identification code of the group selected by the user to the operating user when permitting the application. As a result, the identification code is displayed on the terminal device used by the operating user.

The control unit 200 reads the identification code displayed on the terminal device, receives the identification information from the terminal device, and identifies the group corresponding to the identification code acquired by the operating user. The control unit 200 performs the processes after step S326 in FIG. 20 with the specified group as the target group.

According to this embodiment, when the user desires to share the setting history information, even if the user does not belong to the corresponding group, by performing a simple operation, the user who belongs to the group can Setting history information can be shared. Also, as in the above method, setting a limit on the sharing of the setting history information makes it possible to prevent the setting history information from being shared without any limit.

[4. Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Unlike the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment is an embodiment that identifies (authenticates) an operating user based on an image captured by a camera device such as a surveillance camera in cooperation with the camera device. This embodiment replaces FIG. 1 with FIG. The same reference numerals are given to the same devices as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[4.1 Overall structure]
The system 2 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Unlike the system 1, the system 2 has an image forming device 20, a recognition device 30, and a camera device 40 connected via a network NW2. The network NW2 is, for example, a LAN, but may be any network as long as each device can exchange information with each other.

The camera device 40 is a device such as a monitoring camera around the image forming device 20 . The camera device 40 is a photographing device that takes a picture and transmits the acquired image to the recognition device 30 . The recognition device 30 is an information processing device that identifies a user (for example, performs face authentication) based on an image received from the camera device 40 . It should be noted that the camera device 40 may be a device other than a surveillance camera, as long as the user in front of the image forming device 20 can be identified. Moreover, the camera device 40 may be built in the image forming device 20 .

[4.2 Functional configuration]
[4.2.1 Recognition device]
A functional configuration of the recognition device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 22 . The recognition device 30 includes a control section 300 , a storage section 360 and a communication section 390 .

The control unit 300 controls the recognition device 30 as a whole. The control unit 300 implements various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 360, and is configured by one or a plurality of arithmetic units (for example, CPU). Also, the control unit 300 may be configured as an SoC having a plurality of functions among the functions described below.

The storage unit 360 stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the recognition device 30 . The storage unit 360 is configured by, for example, a storage device such as an SSD, which is a semiconductor memory, or an HDD.

The storage unit 360 reserves a recognition information storage area 362 for storing information (recognition information) used for recognizing a user as a storage area. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the recognition information includes a user ID (for example, “userA”) which is identification information used to identify the user of the image forming apparatus 20, and a user ID used to recognize the user. includes recognition data (eg, “userA.dat”) that is The recognition data used for recognizing the user is, for example, data in which information (feature amount) such as numerical values indicating features of the user's face is stored.

The communication unit 390 communicates with external devices such as the image forming device 20 and the camera device 40 . The communication unit 390 is configured by the same communication device and communication module as the communication unit 190 .

[4.2.2 Camera device]
A functional configuration of the camera device 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The camera device 40 includes a control section 400 , an image input section 410 , a storage section 460 and a communication section 490 .

The control unit 400 controls the entire camera device 40 . The control unit 400 implements various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 460, and is configured by one or a plurality of arithmetic units (for example, CPU). Also, the control unit 400 may be configured as an SoC having a plurality of functions among the functions described below.

The image input unit 410 inputs a photographed image. The image input unit 410 is configured by, for example, a photographing device such as a camera.

The storage unit 460 stores various programs necessary for the operation of the camera device 40 and various data (for example, captured image data). The storage unit 460 is configured by, for example, a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, or is configured using a storage medium.

The communication unit 490 communicates with an external device such as the recognition device 30 . The communication unit 490 is configured by the same communication device and communication module as the communication unit 190 .

In particular, as shown in FIG. 22 , the recognition device 30 receives image data transmitted from the communication section 490 of the camera device 40 via the communication section 390 .

[4.3 Flow of processing]
Next, the flow of processing in this embodiment will be described. It is assumed that the camera device 40 periodically transmits the image input by the image input unit 410 to the recognition device 30 via the communication unit 490 while the processing described below is being executed. do. Also, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 disables the user authentication function.

[4.3.1 Recognition device]
Processing executed by the recognition device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 24 . The processing shown in FIG. 24 is executed by the control unit 300 reading out the program stored in the storage unit 360 .

First, the control unit 300 inputs (receives) an image from the camera device 40, and uses recognition data included in the recognition information stored in the storage unit 360 to attempt user recognition (face authentication) (step S400→ step S402).

If the user can be recognized, the control unit 300 notifies the image forming apparatus 20 of the recognized user's information (for example, user ID) (step S402; Yes→step S404). On the other hand, if the user is not recognized, the control unit 300 returns to step S400 (step S402; No→step S400).

Subsequently, when the end operation is performed, the control unit 300 ends the processing shown in FIG. 24 (step S406; Yes). The end operation is, for example, an operation for ending the processing shown in FIG. 24 or an operation for turning off the power of the recognition device 30 . If the end operation is not performed, the control unit 300 returns to step S400 (step S406; No→step S400).

[4.3.2 Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus 20 executes the processes shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 shares the setting history information while the user authentication function is disabled (OFF). Note that in the present embodiment, the control unit 200 identifies the user corresponding to the user information notified from the recognition device 30 as the operating user, instead of executing the process of step S120 in FIG. That is, the control unit 200 authenticates the specified user using the camera device 40 and the recognition device 30 .

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 200 executes any one of the following processes as cooperative processing.
(1) The control unit 200 executes the processing described in FIG. Thereby, the control unit 200 displays the setting history information shared by the shared users corresponding to the group to which the user identified using the camera device 40 and the recognition device 30 belongs.
(2) The control unit 200 reads the belonging group information (the belonging group information stored in the belonging group information storage area 266) already created on the image forming apparatus 20 side, and selects a group (a group for sharing setting history information). Show list. When a group is selected by the operating user, if the operating user belongs to the group, proceed to the next screen (a screen that displays the setting history information shared by the shared user based on the selected group). do. On the other hand, if the operating user does not belong to the group, the control unit 200 prevents the process from proceeding to the next screen.

[4.4 Operation example]
An operation example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the operating user is identified (authenticated) in the following order.
(1) The camera device 40 photographs a user in front of the image forming device 20 and transmits the photographed image to the recognition device 30 . The recognition device 30 recognizes a user (for example, user A).
(2) The recognition device 30 notifies the image forming device 20 that the user A will be the next operator.
(3) User A operates the image forming apparatus 20 . At this time, the image forming apparatus 20 assumes that the operating user is the user A, and executes processing according to the user's operation.

Although the recognition device 30 and the camera device 40 have been described as being connected via a network, the recognition device 30 and the camera device 40 may be directly connected via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. Further, the recognition device 30 and the camera device 40 may be configured as an integrated device. Further, as already explained, the camera device 40 may be built in the image forming device 20 . In this case, the image forming device 20 controls the camera device 40 to periodically transmit the image input by the image input unit 410 to the recognition device 30 via the communication unit 490, and the recognition device 30 notifies The user corresponding to the received user information may be specified as the operating user.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when the user authentication function is disabled (Off), the operating user is specified, the setting history information of the shared user corresponding to the group to which the user belongs is displayed, and the setting history is displayed. Informed configuration calls can be made.

[5. Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is an embodiment in which, in addition to the processing in the first embodiment, retired users are excluded from shared users. This embodiment replaces FIG. 1 with FIG. 26 and FIG. 12 with FIG. 29, respectively. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same devices and processes as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[5.1 Overall structure]
The system 3 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In system 3, unlike system 1, image forming device 20 and personnel server device 50 are connected via network NW3. The network NW3 is, for example, a LAN, but may be any network as long as each device can exchange information with each other.

The personnel server device 50 is an information processing device (for example, a server) that provides a personnel system for managing information on users (employees, employees, etc.) belonging to an organization in which the image forming device 20 is installed.

[5.2 Functional configuration]
A functional configuration of the personnel server device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The personnel server device 50 includes a control section 500 , a storage section 560 and a communication section 590 .

The control unit 500 controls the entire personnel server device 50 . The control unit 500 implements various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 560, and is configured by one or a plurality of arithmetic units (for example, CPU). Also, the control unit 500 may be configured as an SoC having a plurality of functions among the functions described below.

Control unit 500 functions as employee information transmission unit 502 by executing a program stored in storage unit 560 . When the employee information transmission unit 502 receives an employee information acquisition request from another device, the employee information transmission unit 502 transmits the employee information in response to the request. In this embodiment, upon receiving a request to acquire information on a retired employee from the image forming apparatus 20, the employee information transmitting unit 502 transmits the user ID of the retired employee to the image forming apparatus 20 based on the employee information described later. .

The storage unit 560 stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the personnel server device 50 . The storage unit 560 is configured by, for example, a storage device such as an SSD, which is a semiconductor memory, or an HDD.

The storage unit 560 secures an employee information storage area 562 for storing employee information as a storage area. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, the employee information includes a user ID (eg, “userA”), which is identification information used to identify the user of the image forming apparatus 20, and the name of the user (eg, “userA”). Ichiro Tanaka"), the department to which the employee belongs (eg, "sales department"), and a retirement flag indicating whether or not the employee has retired (eg, "Yes") are stored. As for the employee information, it suffices if a retirement flag can be used to distinguish whether or not the user (employee) has retired. The retirement flag may be information such as 0 or 1. Information may not be stored (may be null).

[5.3 Flow of processing]
The cooperation processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 29 . In this embodiment, after setting the shared user in step S162, the control unit 200 transmits a request to obtain the information of the retiree to the personnel server device 50, and obtains the information of the retired user (step S500). At this time, the employee information transmission unit 502 of the personnel server device 50 reads the employee information whose retirement flag is “Yes” from the employee information storage area 562 and transmits the user ID included in the read employee information to the image forming apparatus 20 . do. Thereby, the control unit 200 can acquire the user ID of the retired user.

Subsequently, the control unit 200 excludes the user ID acquired in step S500 from among the shared user IDs set in step S162 (step S502). As a result, the retiree's setting history information is excluded from sharing.

The control unit 200 executes steps S164 and S166 of the first embodiment. At this time, the retiree's setting history information is not subject to sharing, so the retiree's setting history information is not displayed on the setting history screen.

In the present embodiment, the personnel server device 50 has been described as storing information on retired users (employees), but may store information on groups of employees. In this case, upon receiving a group acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 20, the employee information transmission unit 502 transmits information on the group to which the user identified by the user ID included in the group acquisition request belongs to the image forming apparatus 20. . Further, when receiving a group member acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 20, the employee information transmission unit 502 transmits information of users belonging to the group identified by the group ID included in the group member acquisition request to the image forming apparatus 20. Send. In other words, the personnel server device 50 (personnel system) may function as an external service.

In this case, the personnel server device 50 may automatically set a group based on the department based on the department information stored in the employee information. By executing the processing described in the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 can exclude users who no longer belong to a department from being shared users of the department due to department transfers or the like, and can remove users added to the department. can be added to the shared users of the department.

In this manner, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment can exclude retired users from being shared users. As a result, the retired user belongs to the group, but if he/she no longer uses the image forming apparatus, he/she can share his/her setting history with other users belonging to the group without leaving the group. You can choose not to share information.

[6. Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. The sixth embodiment is an embodiment in which a period for storing belonging group information is provided in addition to the processing in the first embodiment. As a result, when the period has passed, by deleting the information indicating that the user belongs to the predetermined group, the user for whom the period has passed is deleted (excluded) from the shared users corresponding to the predetermined group. do. This embodiment is an embodiment in which FIG. 8 is replaced with FIG.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of belonging group information according to this embodiment. In addition to the information included in the belonging group information of the first embodiment, the belonging group information of the present embodiment includes a storage start date (for example, "04/01/2021") and a storage period (for example, "1 month"). ) and are further included.

Next, cooperation processing in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, when storing belonging group information (step S154 in FIG. 12), the control unit 200 includes the storage start date and storage period in addition to the user ID, group ID, and group name of the operating user. It stores the group information you belong to. The storage start date is the date when the belonging group information is generated. Also, the storage period is a predetermined period. The storage period may be determined for each group by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 20, or may be uniformly determined regardless of the group.

Also, when setting a shared user (step S162 in FIG. 12), the control unit 200 deletes from the belonging group information storage area 266 the belonging group information for which the storage period has elapsed since the storage start date. As a result, the control unit 200 deletes the user whose storage period has elapsed from the storage start date from the shared users (does not belong to the group). When sharing the setting history information, the user whose belonging group information has been deleted needs to store the belonging group information in the image forming apparatus 20 by performing an operation for cooperation with the external service again.

In the above description, the storage period is set for each belonging group information, but the storage period may be set for each group. For example, the image forming apparatus 20 stores information (time limit information) in which the group ID, storage start date, and storage period are associated with each other in the storage unit 260 . The time limit information is stored based on information input by an administrator or the like of the image forming apparatus 20 in system settings. At this time, the administrator or the like of the image forming apparatus 20 can set an arbitrary time limit such as one day, one week, one month, one year, etc. as the storage period.

In this case, the control unit 200 periodically checks the time limit information, and if there is a group ID whose storage period has passed since the storage start date, deletes the belonging group information including the group ID from the belonging group information storage area 266. You may

The belonging group information is information related to external services, and is information related to the privacy of the user, so it is necessary to suppress security risks such as leakage. The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment can enhance security by automatically deleting belonging group information when a set period has elapsed.

[7. Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. The seventh embodiment is an embodiment in which, in the first embodiment, the user can set whether or not to share his/her own setting history information with an arbitrary sharing group (shared users). This embodiment is an embodiment in which FIG. 8 is replaced with FIG.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 stores, in the storage unit 260, information (sharing prohibition information) indicating groups prohibited from sharing the setting history information. As shown in FIG. 31, the sharing prohibition information includes a user ID (eg, "userA") and a group ID (eg, "G00001") that identifies a group whose sharing of setting history information is prohibited.

[7.1 Flow of processing]
[7.1.1 Sharing Prohibition Setting Processing]
The flow of sharing prohibition setting processing, which is processing for storing and deleting sharing prohibition information, will be described with reference to FIG. The sharing prohibition setting process is executed when the user of the image forming apparatus 20 performs an operation to display a setting screen provided by the image forming apparatus 20 . The processing shown in FIG. 32 is executed by the control unit 200 reading out the program stored in the storage unit 260 .

First, the control unit 200 displays a setting screen (step S700). Note that the setting screen of the present embodiment is a screen on which settings for each user of the image forming apparatus 20 can be made. ) is displayed on the display.

Subsequently, the control unit 200 displays the group name of the group to which the operating user belongs on the setting screen (step S702). The control unit 200 may acquire the information of the group to which the operating user belongs from an external service (server device 10), or may acquire the information of the group to which the operating user belongs by reading out the group information including the user ID of the operating user. In addition, the control unit 200 enumerates and displays the group name together with the check box for each acquired group information.

Subsequently, the control unit 200 determines whether or not an operation has been performed to prohibit sharing of the group specified by the operating user. When the operating user performs an operation to prohibit sharing of a specified group, the storage unit 260 stores sharing prohibition setting information including the user ID of the operating user and the group ID of the specified group (step S704; Yes→step S706). An operation to prohibit sharing of a specified group is, for example, an operation of checking a check box displayed next to the group name. Further, when the operation to prohibit sharing of the group is not performed, the control unit 200 omits the processing of step S706 (step S704; No).

Subsequently, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the operating user has performed an operation to release the prohibition of sharing of the group specified by the operating user. When the operating user performs an operation to release the prohibition of sharing of the specified group, the sharing prohibition setting information including the user ID of the operating user and the group ID of the specified group is deleted from the storage unit 260 (step S708). ; Yes→step S710). An operation to release the prohibition of sharing of a specified group is, for example, an operation to uncheck the check box displayed next to the group name. The control unit 200 omits the process of step S710 when the operation to release the prohibition of sharing is not performed (step S708; No).

Subsequently, the control unit 200 determines whether or not an end operation has been performed. If the termination operation has been performed, the process shown in FIG. 32 is terminated (step S712; Yes). The end operation is, for example, an operation of closing the setting screen. If the end operation has not been performed, the control unit 200 returns to step S704 (step S712; No→step S704).

[7.1.2 Cooperation processing]
The cooperation processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 33 . In this embodiment, after setting the shared users in step S162, the control unit 200 acquires the sharing prohibition setting information including the group ID of the group selected in step S158 or step S160 from the storage unit 260 (step S750).

Next, the control unit 200 excludes the user ID acquired in step S750 from among the shared user IDs set in step S162 (step S752). As a result, among the users who belong to the same group as the group to which the operating user belongs, the user who is prohibited from sharing the setting history information with the group is excluded from the shared users.

The control unit 200 executes steps S164 and S166 of the first embodiment. At this time, since the user who is prohibited from sharing the setting history information is not a shared user, the setting history information of the user who is prohibited from sharing the setting history information is not shared. As a result, the setting history information of the user who is prohibited from sharing the setting history information is not displayed on the setting history screen. In other words, the shared user's setting history information is not included in the setting history information of the user whose sharing of the setting history information is prohibited.

In the above-described processing, a case has been described in which whether or not to prohibit sharing of setting history information is set for each group, but it may be possible to set whether or not to prohibit sharing for each setting history information. In this case, when storing the setting history information, the control unit 200 (setting history information management unit 204) determines whether to prohibit sharing of the setting history information (whether it is included in the setting history information of the shared user). to the operating user. Further, the control unit 200 (setting history information management unit 204) stores the setting history information including information indicating whether or not to prohibit sharing. In the cooperative process, when acquiring the shared user's setting history information (for example, step S164 in FIG. 33), the control unit 200 omits acquisition of setting history information whose sharing is prohibited. Accordingly, the control unit 200 can include setting history information for which sharing is not prohibited (permitted) in the sharing user's setting history information.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a setting screen W700 in this embodiment. A setting screen W700 is an example of a setting screen for user A. FIG. In this embodiment, when the setting history information is shared by cooperating with an external service even once, the image forming apparatus 20 displays the setting items for the user A on the setting screen (the user management screen of the image forming apparatus 20) as follows: Add sharing settings for setting history information. As shown in area E700, the setting items list group names and checkboxes obtained from an external service.

When user A performs an operation to put a check (for example, C700 in FIG. 34), the setting history information of user A is not shared with shared users corresponding to the group. For example, User A checks "Patent Group". In this case, even if another user logs in to the image forming apparatus, performs an external service linkage operation, and displays the setting history information shared by the shared users corresponding to the "patent group", the setting history of user A is displayed. No information is displayed.

In this way, user A can make a setting to refuse to share the setting history information as his own user information. Therefore, user A can prevent other users belonging to the group from sharing the setting history information without withdrawing from the group in order to cancel the sharing of the setting history information. ).

According to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, it is possible for the user to set a refusal to share the setting history information by a simple method.

[8. Modification]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. That is, the technical scope of the present invention also includes embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the above-described embodiments are described separately for convenience of explanation, it is of course possible to combine them within the technically possible range. For example, by combining the second embodiment and the third embodiment, an image forming apparatus that automatically follows a group change in an external service and shares setting history information using an identification code issued by the external service. may be implemented.

In addition, the program that operates in each device in the embodiment is a program that controls the CPU and the like (a program that causes the computer to function) so as to implement the functions of the above-described embodiments. Information handled by these devices is temporarily stored in a temporary storage device (for example, RAM) during processing, and then stored in storage devices such as various ROMs (Read Only Memory) and HDDs. The data is read, corrected, and written by the CPU.

Here, as recording media for storing programs, semiconductor media (eg, ROM, non-volatile memory cards, etc.), optical recording media/magneto-optical recording media (eg, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), CD (Compact Disc), BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), etc.), magnetic recording media (e.g., magnetic tape, flexible disc, etc.), etc. . By executing the loaded program, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. In some cases, inventive features are realized.

When distributed to the market, the program can be stored in a portable recording medium for distribution, or transferred to a server computer connected via a network such as the Internet. In this case, of course, the storage device of the server computer is also included in the present invention.

1, 2, 3 System 10 : Server device 100 : Control unit 102 : Service providing unit 104 : Group management unit 160 : Storage unit 162 : Account information storage area 164 : Group information storage area 190 : Communication unit 20 : Image forming apparatus 200 : control unit 202 : image processing unit 204 : setting history information management unit 220 : image input unit 230 : image forming unit 240 : display unit 250 : operation unit 260 : storage unit 262 : user information storage area 264 : setting history information storage area 265: job history information storage area 266: belonging group information storage area 268: setting table 290: communication unit 30: recognition device 300: control unit 360: storage unit 362: recognition information storage area 390: communication unit 40: camera device 400: Control unit 410 : Image input unit 460 : Storage unit 490 : Communication unit 50 : Personnel server device 500 : Control unit 502 : Employee information transmission unit 560 : Storage unit 562 : Employee information storage area 590 : Communication unit

Claims (12)

a job execution unit that executes a job based on the set values;
a storage unit that stores a setting history that is a history of setting values at the time of job execution in association with a user;
an authenticator that authenticates a user;
an acquisition unit that acquires information on the group to which the user belongs from an external service;
a control unit that controls to extract and display a setting history of the shared user, with users included in the group as shared users;
image forming apparatus. 2. The control unit excludes the user from the shared users if there is a user who has left the group in the external service when the group information is acquired from the acquisition unit. The image forming apparatus according to . 4. The control unit adds the user to the shared users if there is a user added to the group in the external service when the group information is acquired from the acquisition unit. 1. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The control unit
It is possible to set whether or not to share each setting history or each setting value included in the setting history,
4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein control is performed to extract and display setting histories that are set to be sharable among the setting histories of the sharing user from the storage unit. The described image forming apparatus. The group information includes an image,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job executing section is capable of outputting a job based on the image. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit photographs the user with a camera device and authenticates the user based on the photographed image. The external service is a social networking service,
7. The acquiring unit acquires information about a group to which the user belongs from the social networking service by using an identification code issued by the social networking service. The image forming apparatus according to . The external service is a service that provides a personnel system,
7. If there is a user who has retired from the personnel system when acquiring the group information from the acquisition unit, the control unit excludes the user from the shared users. The image forming apparatus according to any one of . The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit deletes a user for whom a set period has elapsed from the shared users. 10. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when there are a plurality of groups to which the user belongs, the acquisition unit acquires information on the group selected by the user from the external service. forming device. 2. The control unit sets whether or not to include the setting values of the job executed by the job execution unit in the setting history of the shared user when storing the setting values of the job executed by the job execution unit in the storage unit. 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 10. a job execution step that executes a job based on the set values;
a storage step of storing a setting history, which is a history of setting values at the time of job execution, in a storage unit in association with a user;
an authentication step to authenticate a user;
an acquisition step of acquiring information on the group to which the user belongs from an external service;
a control step of extracting and displaying the setting history of the shared user, with the users included in the group as the shared user;
A method of controlling an image forming apparatus comprising:

Images