JP6536142B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus capable of executing maintenance operations by shifting to an apparatus management mode.

  The image forming apparatus includes, for example, a multifunction peripheral (MFP: Multi Function Peripheral) having a plurality of functions such as copying, facsimile, scanner, and printing, and can be managed by a manager of the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, maintenance such as setting and adjustment of this device can be performed by, for example, a customer engineer different from the administrator and executed in a predetermined mode (also referred to as a device management mode).

  Here, it is not preferable in terms of security that a customer engineer can access any information during maintenance. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that can shift to the device management mode only when the administrator permits.

Patent No. 4581597

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 requires an operation for permitting or prohibiting the transition to the device management mode, and there is a problem that the previous setting is maintained unless this operation is performed. Specifically, when the administrator forgets to prohibit the transition to the device management mode, the transition to the device management mode remains permitted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a data engineer from changing data indefinitely.

In order to solve the above problems, a first technical means of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of executing a maintenance operation by shifting to an apparatus management mode, and the operation to the image forming apparatus is the image When it is determined that the authentication as the administrator of the forming apparatus is successful, a setting unit for setting the expiration date for permitting transition to the device management mode and accepting the transition operation to the device management mode The setting unit includes: a receiving unit; and a transition control unit that enables input of predetermined information for switching to the device management mode when it is determined that the received transition operation is within the expiration date. If it is determined that the authentication as the administrator has succeeded, the permission code set for the administrator to shift to the device management mode is set, and the validity period is set to the permission code. By setting, sets the expiration time to allow the transition to the device management mode is obtained by said Rukoto.

  A second technical means is characterized in that in the first technical means, the predetermined information is a password.

A third technical means is characterized in that in the first technical means, the predetermined information is a password and the permission code.

A fourth technical means is characterized in that in the first or third technical means, the permission code is set with a random value.

A fifth technical means according to any one of the first to fourth technical means, wherein the setting unit permits transition to the device management mode when it is determined that the authentication as the administrator is successful. The transfer control unit sets predetermined information for transferring to the device management mode, when it is determined that the received transfer operation is within the expiration date and within the limit of the number of times. It is characterized in that the input is made possible.

  According to the present invention, since the transition to the device management mode is provided with an expiration date by the administrator, it is possible to prevent a data engineer from changing data indefinitely.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the operation part of FIG. It is a flowchart of apparatus management mode by 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the transition permission screen of administrator mode. It is explanatory drawing of the item selection screen of administrator mode. It is explanatory drawing of the time setting screen of administrator mode. It is explanatory drawing of the input screen of apparatus management mode. It is explanatory drawing of the selection screen of apparatus management mode. It is a flowchart of apparatus management mode by 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the code setting screen of administrator mode. It is explanatory drawing of the time setting screen of administrator mode. It is explanatory drawing of the input screen of apparatus management mode. It is explanatory drawing of the selection screen of apparatus management mode.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of an operation unit of FIG. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a communication I / F 11, an operation unit 12, a document reading unit 13, an image processing unit 14, a printing unit 15, a storage unit 16, a control unit 17 and the like, which are connected via a bus .
The control unit 17 is configured to be able to communicate with an external device (not shown) via the communication I / F 11. The communication I / F 11 includes, for example, a FAX communication unit, a communication unit for the Internet, an infrared communication unit, and the like.

  The control unit 17 includes, for example, one or a plurality of CPUs (Central Processing Units), etc., loads various programs and data stored in, for example, the ROM of the storage unit 16 into the RAM, and loads the loaded program in the RAM. Run. Thereby, while processing the data, it is possible to control the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10 based on the content of the instruction from the user.

The document reading unit 13 is configured to be able to optically read a document set at a predetermined position, and an image of the read document is output to the image processing unit 14 via the control unit 17.
The operation unit 12 is disposed, for example, on the front side of the document reading unit 13 and uses an operation panel 20 including a liquid crystal display 22 and a transparent resistive film type touch panel 21 and contact contacts as shown in FIG. The hard key 23 is composed. The operation panel 20 corresponds to the reception unit of the present invention.

The touch panel 21 is formed, for example, superimposed on the display 22, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for operating the image forming apparatus 10 is displayed on the operation panel 20.
The image processing unit 14 performs, for example, various processes on the data of the document read by the document reading unit 13 to generate image data. The generated image data is output to the printing unit 15. The data of the read original and the generated image data are stored in the input image area 31 of the storage unit 16.

  The printing unit 15 is configured to be able to perform printing by performing sheet feeding, image formation, transfer, fixing, discharging, and the like, and prints the image data from the image processing unit 14 on a sheet. When the printing unit 15 has a double-sided printing function, the image data of the document from the image processing unit 14 can be printed on the other side of the sheet as well as on one side. The printing unit 15 can also operate in cooperation with a post-processing apparatus (not shown) when the user desires processing such as stapling or filing for holes.

Further, the control unit 17 includes, for example, a display control unit 41, an authentication unit 42, a setting unit 43, and a transition control unit 44.
The display control unit 41 can display on the operation panel 20 a login screen for authentication, such as an entry field of a user number or entry fields of a login name and a password. Further, as described later, for example, a screen for working in the administrator mode or the device management mode can be displayed on the operation panel 20.

  The authentication unit 42 collates the information input through the operation panel 20 or the like with the identification information stored in the authentication information area 32 of the storage unit 16 and determines success or failure of login or the like. The authentication result is output to the setting unit 43. For example, when it is determined by the authentication unit 42 that the operation to the image forming apparatus 10 has succeeded in authentication as the administrator, the setting unit 43 sets an expiration date for permitting transition to the device management mode as described later. Make it settable. In addition, when it is determined that the transition operation accepted on the operation panel 20 is within the expiration date, the transition control unit 44 enables input of predetermined information for transition to the device management mode. By inputting predetermined information, the image forming apparatus 10 can execute maintenance operations such as setting and adjustment of devices. The content of the operation on the image forming apparatus 10 is stored in the operation history area 33 of the storage unit 16.

First Embodiment
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the device management mode according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, for example, settings and maintenance relating to the security of the image forming apparatus 10, such as registration / deletion of a user and setting of an IP address, can be performed. 4 shows the administrator mode transition permission screen, FIG. 5 shows the administrator mode item selection screen, and FIG. 6 shows the administrator mode time setting screen, while FIG. 7 shows the device management mode input FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a screen for selecting a device management mode.

  Before accepting the maintenance operation in the device management mode, settings regarding permission to shift to the device management mode are performed in the management mode. Specifically, the administrator inputs the administrator's ID and password, for example, on the operation panel 20 or the information processing apparatus (not shown) on the administrator side. The authentication unit 42 collates the received ID and password with the identification information stored in the authentication information area 32, and when it is determined that the administrator is the administrator, the login is successful, and the setting by the administrator as shown in FIG. The screen is displayed. On this screen, for example, buttons “permit” and “not permit” are displayed for the device management mode transition.

  When the "permit" button is selected on the screen of FIG. 4, for example, "permission code not set" or "permission code set" button as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and "permission code not set" button When selected, the setting unit 43 enables setting of an expiration date for permitting transition to the device management mode. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the device management mode shift permission time can be input, and based on the input content, the setting unit 43 sets an expiration date for transition to the device management mode. The device management mode shift permission time may be input in a default state.

In the administrator mode, when the setting regarding permission to shift to the device management mode is completed (step S10 in FIG. 3), for example, a button for shifting to the device management mode can be touched on the operation panel 20 Is displayed.
When the customer engineer touches the button and there is a transition operation to the device management mode (YES in step S11), the transition control unit 44 determines that the operation is within the expiration date from the setting time by the setting unit 43, for example. If it is determined that the operation is within the expiration date (YES in step S12), an input screen for shifting to the device management mode shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the operation panel 20 (step S13). . On the other hand, if the operation is not within the expiration date (NO in step S12), for example, an expired message is displayed on the operation panel 20 (step S18), and this flow is exited. Therefore, the above maintenance can not be performed in this case.

  Next, the migration password is input in the input field of FIG. 7 (YES in step S14), and the migration control unit 44 collates the identification information stored in the authentication information area 32 and determines that the migration password is correct. (YES in step S15) shifts to the device management mode (step S16). Thereby, in the device management mode, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, registration / deletion of a user, setting of an IP address, initialization of data, address book registration, encryption setting and the like can be specifically set.

Then, when the setting in the device management mode is completed (YES in step S17 of FIG. 3), the device management mode is exited.
Thus, since the transition to the device management mode is provided with an expiration date by the administrator, it is possible to prevent a customer engineer from changing data indefinitely.
In this embodiment, an example in which the migration password can not be input when the button touch operation for transitioning to the device management mode is not within the expiration date has been described, but the transition password input operation is not within the expiration date. It may not be possible to shift to the device management mode.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the device management mode according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, for example, settings and maintenance regarding the business of the image forming apparatus 10, such as the number of printed sheets, settings of print quality and reading quality, can be executed. 10 is a code setting screen of the administrator mode, FIG. 11 is each explanatory view of a time setting screen of the administrator mode, while FIG. 12 is an input screen of the device management mode, and FIG. 13 is a selection screen of the device management mode. FIG.

  After the administrator who has succeeded in logging in selects the "permit" button on the screen of FIG. 4, if, for example, the "permit code setting" button is selected on the screen of FIG. 5, the setting unit 43 shifts to the device management mode. Allow the user to set the expiration date to allow Then, enter the permission code for transition to the device management mode in the "permission code" input field shown in FIG. 10 and select the "set" button, as shown in FIG. It can be input. Based on the input content, the setting unit 43 sets an expiration date for transition to the device management mode. If the permission code has an expiration date, it will not be possible to shift to the device management mode using the permission code, and the administrator will not need to save the permission code or change it each time. Note that the permission code and the permission code permission time may be input in a default state.

The permission code can also be set as a random value, for example, by the setting unit 43 for each image forming apparatus. If the setting unit 43 sets the permission code, the administrator does not need to manage the change history of the permission code, and if the permission code is set with a random value, the image forming apparatus also manages the change history of the permission code. Become unnecessary.
When the setting for the administrator mode is completed (step S20 in FIG. 9), for example, a button for shifting to the device management mode is displayed on the operation panel 20 in a touchable state.

  When the customer engineer touches the button (YES in step S21), the transition control unit 44 determines whether the operation is within the expiration date, and the operation is within the expiration date (step S22). And the input screen for shifting to the device management mode shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the operation panel 20 (step S23). On the other hand, if the operation is not within the expiration date (NO in step S22), for example, an expired message is displayed on the operation panel 20 (step S30), and this flow is exited.

  Next, the permission code is input in the "permission code" input field in FIG. 12 (YES in step S24 in FIG. 9), and the transition password is input in the "password" input field (YES in step S25). When the unit 44 determines that the permission code is correct by comparing it with the identification information stored in the authentication information area 32 (YES in step S26) and determines that the migration password is correct (YES in step S27), The device management mode is entered (step S28). If the permission code or the transition password is not correct, a message to that effect can be displayed on the operation panel.

Thereby, in the device management mode, as shown in FIG. 13, for example, it is possible to specifically set the number of printed sheets, the setting of the printing quality and the reading quality, the setting of the device operation and the like.
Then, when the setting in the device management mode is completed (YES in step S29 in FIG. 9), the device management mode is exited.
Also in this case, since the transition to the device management mode is provided with an expiration date by the administrator, it is possible to prevent a customer engineer from changing data indefinitely.

Third Embodiment
In the above embodiments, although the expiration date for permitting the transition to the device management mode is set, the setting unit 43 described in FIG. 1 further restricts the number of times for permitting the transition to the device management mode (for example, once). It can also be set. That is, when it is determined that the received transition operation is within the expiration date and within the number of times limit, the transition control unit 44 in this case can input predetermined information for transitioning the image forming apparatus to the device management mode. Put in a good condition. As described above, limiting the number of accesses to the device management mode as well as the expiration date for the transition to the device management mode contributes to the improvement of the reliability of the image forming apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Communication I / F 12 Operation unit 13 Document reading unit 14 Image processing unit 15 Printing unit 16 Storage unit 17 Control unit 20 Operation panel 21: touch panel, 22: display, 23: hard key, 31: input image area, 32: authentication information area, 33: operation history area, 41: display control unit, 42: authentication unit, 43: setting unit, 44: transition Control unit.

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus capable of executing a maintenance operation by shifting to a device management mode, comprising:
A setting unit that enables setting of an expiration date for permitting transition to the device management mode when it is determined that the operation to the image forming apparatus has succeeded in authentication as a manager of the image forming apparatus;
A receiving unit that receives an operation for transition to the device management mode;
And a transition control unit that makes it possible to input predetermined information for transitioning to the device management mode when it is determined that the accepted transition operation is within the expiration date ,
When it is determined that the authentication as the administrator has succeeded, the setting unit sets the permission code set in the administrator to shift to the device management mode, and sets an expiration date to the permission code. by setting, the image forming apparatus characterized that you have to set the expiration time to allow the transition to the device management mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the predetermined information is a password. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the predetermined information is a password and the permission code. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 3 , wherein
The image forming apparatus, wherein the permission code is set as a random value. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein
When it is determined that the authentication as the administrator has succeeded, the setting unit sets a limit on the number of times to permit transition to the device management mode.
When it is determined that the received transition operation is within the expiration date and the number of times limit, the transition control unit enables input of predetermined information for transitioning to the device management mode. An image forming apparatus characterized by

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