JP2003320737A - Method for managing user information, information processor, program for managing user information, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for managing user information capable of supplying user information and an imaging apparatus in which work burden on a user can be lessened by facilitating the processing concerning the user information. <P>SOLUTION: The method for managing user information of an information processor 1 having at least one application performing information processing comprises a step where a user information managing means 49 receives a request of user information from an external management unit 124 connected through a network 123, and a step where the user information managing means 49 performs processing of user information in response to the request utilizing a specified function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a user information management method, an information processing apparatus, a user information management program and a recording medium, and in particular, user information stored in one or more storage means is connected via a network. The present invention relates to a user information management method managed by an external management device, an information processing device, a user information management program and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Information processing devices such as personal computers perform various information processing by executing one or more software corresponding to various information processing.
Such an information processing device is connected to, for example, another computer or the like via a network, and distributes image information or the like using a distribution function. An information processing device having a distribution function may include, for example, distribution destination information and usage restrictions /
It has billing information as user information.

An image forming apparatus as an application example of an information processing apparatus has the functions of each device such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile and a scanner housed in one housing. The image forming apparatus is provided with a display unit, a printing unit, an image pickup unit, and the like in one housing, and four types of software corresponding to a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner, respectively, are provided, and the software is switched to change the printer, It operates as a copy machine, a facsimile machine, and a scanner.

Such an image forming apparatus is connected to another image forming apparatus or a computer via a network, and distributes image information, for example, using a distribution function. The image forming apparatus having a distribution function has, for example, distribution destination information and usage restriction / billing information as user information.

The distribution destination information manages a distribution destination and a sender. The distribution destination information has a low update frequency and is relatively easy to back up. Further, since the distribution destination information is not limited to the users who use the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus, the users who need to be managed are large in number.

On the other hand, the usage restriction / billing information includes availability of various functions and usage of usable functions (for example, number of used sheets).
Is to manage. Since the usage restriction / billing information is updated every time the device is used, the updating frequency is high and backup is difficult. Further, since the use restriction / billing information is limited to the users who need to manage the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus, the number of users who need to manage is reduced.

As described above, since the distribution destination information and the usage restriction / billing information are different in the ease of backup and the number of users who need to be managed, the conditions required for the storage device as the storage means are different. . For example, the delivery destination information requires a large-capacity storage device at the expense of speed and reliability. Further, the usage restriction / billing information requires a high-speed and highly reliable storage device at the cost of cost and capacity. The information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus, for example, store and manage distribution destination information in a hard disk device and store and manage usage restriction / billing information in a nonvolatile RAM.

In a conventional information processing apparatus or image forming apparatus, when referring to or updating distribution destination information and usage restriction / billing information, a user directly operates an operation panel or the like provided in the information processing apparatus or image forming apparatus. I was going to do it.

In Patent Document 1, a display unit is provided in one housing,
An image forming apparatus that operates as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner is provided by providing a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like, and providing four types of software respectively corresponding to the printer, the copy, the facsimile, and the scanner, and switching the software. An example is described.

[0010]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-84383

[0011]

In the conventional information processing apparatus or image forming apparatus, reference or update of distribution destination information and usage restriction / billing information is performed directly by an operation panel or the like provided in the information processing apparatus or image forming apparatus. It was done by operating. Therefore, there is a problem that the operator needs to go to a place where the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus is installed in order to refer to or update the distribution destination information and the usage restriction / billing information.

In the conventional information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus, the amount of information that can be displayed at one time depends on the display capability of the operation panel or the like. For example, the operation panel provided in the image forming apparatus is often small. Therefore, depending on the display capability of the operation panel, etc.
There is a problem that the amount of information that can be displayed at one time on the screen for referring to or updating the delivery destination information and the usage restriction / billing information may be small.

Further, there is a problem that the distribution destination information and the usage restriction / billing information must be referred to or updated in a prescribed format provided in the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus in advance.

As described above, it is said that a heavy burden is imposed on the user to refer to or update the distribution destination information and the usage restriction / billing information by directly operating the operation panel or the like provided in the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a user information management method capable of facilitating the processing relating to the user information, reducing the work load on the users, and sharing the user information. And an information processing device.

[0016]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 performs information processing 1
A user information management method for an information processing apparatus having at least one application, wherein the user information management means receives a request for user information from an external management apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network. And a processing step in which the user information management means uses a predetermined function to perform processing relating to the user information in response to the request.

In such a user information management method, since the user information is managed by using the external management device connected to the information processing device via the network, the performance of the operation panel provided in the information processing device and The user information can be managed in the prescribed format provided in the external management device, regardless of the prescribed format provided in the information processing apparatus in advance for managing the user information. Further, the operator can manage the user information without going to the place where the information processing apparatus is installed. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the processing related to the user information, reduce the work load on the user, and share the user information with other information processing devices.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, in the receiving step, the remote interface means included in the user information managing means uses a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages described in a predetermined description language. In such a user information management method, which receives a request for user information from the external management device, a remote interface is used by using a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages described in a predetermined description language. The means may receive a request for user information from the external management device.

In the invention according to claim 3, the predetermined protocol is simple object access
It is characterized by being a protocol.

In such a user information management method, the simple object access protocol can be used as the predetermined protocol.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the user information includes distribution destination information and usage authority / billing information.

In such a user information management method, the user information can be configured to include distribution destination information and usage authority / billing information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the storage means stores the distribution destination information in which the distribution destination information is stored, and the use authority / charge information in which the use authority / billing information is stored.
And a billing information storage means.

In such a user information management method, the storage means can be configured to include the delivery destination information storage means and the usage authority / billing information storage means.

Further, in the invention according to claim 6, in the processing step, the remote interface unit included in the user information management unit uses a predetermined function defined in advance to respond to the user information in response to the request. It is characterized by performing the processing regarding.

In such a user information management method, the remote interface means can perform a process relating to user information in response to a request by using a predetermined function defined in advance.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the function requests acquisition of function information possessed by the user information management means.

In such a user information management method, it is possible to request acquisition of the function information of the user information management means by using a predetermined function.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the function requests authentication of a user who operates the external management apparatus.

In such a user information management method, it is possible to request the authentication of the user who operates the external management device using a predetermined function.

The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the function requests acquisition of a generation number of the user information.

In such a user information management method, the generation number of the user information can be requested by using a predetermined function. The generation number is a number that is updated each time the user information is updated, and increases by a predetermined number each time the user information is updated, for example.

The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that the function requests acquisition of user information stored in the storage means.

In such a user information management method, it is possible to request acquisition of the user information stored in the storage means using a predetermined function.

The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that the function requests acquisition of user information that matches a predetermined condition among the user information stored in the storage means.

In such a user information management method, it is possible to request acquisition of user information that matches a predetermined condition among the user information stored in the storage means using a predetermined function.

The invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that the function requests an update of the user information stored in the storage means.

In such a user information management method, it is possible to request updating of the user information stored in the storage means by using a predetermined function.

[0039] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when the authentication of the user who operates the external management apparatus is successful, the authentication information is transmitted to the external management apparatus, and the message supplied from the external management apparatus is sent. It is characterized in that the authentication information is added.

In such a user information management method, the authentication information is transmitted to the external management apparatus that has been successfully authenticated, and the authentication information is added to the message supplied from the external management apparatus, so that the authorized user can send the authentication information. Can identify the request.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the generation number is transmitted to the external management apparatus in response to a request from the external management apparatus, and the generation number is added to a message supplied from the external management apparatus. It is characterized by

In such a user information management method, the generation number is transmitted to the external management apparatus and the generation number is added to the message supplied from the external management apparatus, so that the latest user information is always processed. Can be made.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus having at least one application for performing information processing, the external management being connected via a network with a storage means for storing user information. It is characterized by further comprising: a user information management means for receiving a request for user information from the device and utilizing a predetermined function corresponding to the request to perform a process for the user information stored in the storage means.

In such an information processing apparatus, since the user information is managed by using the external management apparatus connected via the network, the performance of the operation panel provided in the information processing apparatus or the information processing apparatus is previously set. The user information can be managed in the prescribed format provided by the external management device, regardless of the provided prescribed format for managing the user information. Further, the operator can manage the user information without going to the place where the information processing apparatus is installed. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the processing related to the user information, reduce the work load on the user, and share the user information with other information processing devices.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the user information management means requests the user information from the external management device by using a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages described in a predetermined description language. It has a remote interface means for receiving.

In such an information processing apparatus, the remote interface means can receive a request for user information from the external management apparatus by using a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages described in a predetermined description language. .

The invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that the predetermined protocol is a simple object access protocol.

In such an information processing apparatus, the simple object access protocol can be used as the predetermined protocol.

Further, the invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that the user information includes distribution destination information and usage authority / billing information.

In such an information processing apparatus, the user information can be configured to include distribution destination information and usage authority / billing information.

Further, in the invention according to claim 19, the storage means includes a delivery destination information storage means storing the delivery destination information and a use authority / charging information storage means storing the use authority / charging information. It is characterized by including.

In such an information processing apparatus, the storage means can be configured to include the distribution destination information storage means and the usage authorization / billing information storage means.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, the user information management means has remote interface means for performing a process related to the user information in response to the request by using a predetermined function defined in advance. Characterize.

In such an information processing apparatus, the remote interface means can make a request for user information using a predetermined function defined in advance.

Further, the invention according to claim 21 is characterized in that the function requests acquisition of function information possessed by the user information management means.

In such an information processing apparatus, it is possible to request acquisition of the function information possessed by the user information management means by using a predetermined function.

The invention according to claim 22 is characterized in that the function requests authentication of a user who operates the external management apparatus.

In such an information processing apparatus, it is possible to request the authentication of the user who operates the external management apparatus using a predetermined function.

The invention according to claim 23 is characterized in that the function requests acquisition of a generation number of the user information.

In such an information processing apparatus, the generation number of the user information can be requested by using a predetermined function.

The invention according to claim 24 is characterized in that the function requests acquisition of user information stored in the storage means.

In such an information processing apparatus, it is possible to request acquisition of the user information stored in the storage means using a predetermined function.

Further, the invention according to claim 25 is characterized in that the function requests acquisition of user information that matches a predetermined condition among the user information stored in the storage means.

In such an information processing apparatus, it is possible to request acquisition of user information that matches a predetermined condition among the user information stored in the storage means using a predetermined function.

Further, the invention according to claim 26 is characterized in that the function requests an update of the user information stored in the storage means.

In such an information processing apparatus, it is possible to request updating of the user information stored in the storage means by using a predetermined function.

Further, in the invention according to claim 27, when the authentication of the user who operates the external management device is successful, the authentication information is transmitted to the external management device, and the message supplied from the external management device is sent. It is characterized in that the authentication information is added.

In such an information processing apparatus, the authentication information is transmitted to the successfully authenticated external management apparatus, and the authentication information is added to the message supplied from the external management apparatus, so that the request from the authorized user is made. Can be identified.

In the invention according to claim 28, the generation number is transmitted to the external management apparatus in response to a request from the external management apparatus, and the generation number is added to a message supplied from the external management apparatus. It is characterized by

In such an information processing apparatus, the generation number is transmitted to the external management apparatus and the generation number is added to the message supplied from the external management apparatus so that the latest user information is always processed. be able to.

The invention according to claim 29 is characterized by further comprising control means for managing hardware resources used in information processing and an operating system.

Such an information processing apparatus can be configured to further include a control means and an operating system.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, the user information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus connected via the network to the computer by using a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages described in a predetermined description language. A transmission request procedure for requesting transmission, a reception procedure for receiving user information from the information processing device using the protocol, and a display procedure for displaying a screen based on the received user information,
In response to the user information update request entered by the user,
It is a user information management program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute an update request procedure for requesting update of user information using the protocol.

According to such a user information management program, the computer can be made to function as an external management device.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the computer uses a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages described in a predetermined description language to send the user information to an information processing apparatus connected via a network. A transmission request procedure for requesting transmission, a reception procedure for receiving user information from the information processing device using the protocol, and a display procedure for displaying a screen based on the received user information,
In response to the user information update request entered by the user,
It is a computer-readable recording medium recording a user information management program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute an update request procedure for requesting update of user information using the protocol.

The recording medium for recording this program is a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk or a magneto-optical disk (MO) for recording information optically, electrically or magnetically, ROM or flash. Various types of recording media such as a semiconductor memory that electrically records information such as a memory can be used.

[0077]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The information processing device 1000 is configured to include a hardware resource 1100 and a software group 1200.

The hardware resources 1100 include a memory device 1110, an input device 1120, a display device 1130, other hardware resources 1140 and the like. The software group 1200 includes applications 1210-1 to 121-1.
210-n, OS 123 such as UNIX (registered trademark)
0, BIOS 1240, device driver 1250, user information management means 1260, communication control means 1270 and the like.

When the information processing apparatus 1000 is turned on,
The program of S1230 is read from the auxiliary storage device,
The read program is transferred to the memory device 1110 and activated. Further, the information processing apparatus 1000 reads the programs of the applications 1210-1 to 1210-n from the auxiliary storage device when the power is turned on or in response to a start instruction from the operator, and the read program is read from the memory device 1.
Transfer to 110 and start.

Applications 1210-1 to 1210
-N causes the information processing apparatus 1000 to perform various types of information processing. The BIOS 1240 is a program that controls the hardware resource 1100. The device driver 1250 is a program that manages peripheral devices included in the hardware resource 1100.

OS 1230, user information management means 126
0 and the communication control means 1270 have API (Applicatio
n Program Interface) 1220 is used to receive requests from the applications 1210-1 to 1210-n. The API 1220 uses a predefined function,
It is used to receive requests from the applications 1210-1 to 1210-n.

The user information management means 1260 manages user information. The communication control means 1270
It controls communication with an external management device, which will be described later, connected via a network.

The user information management means 1260 determines the storage device in which the user information corresponding to the requests from the applications 1210-1 to 1210-n and the external management device is stored, and acquires the user information from the determined storage device. And supplies it to the request source applications 1210-1 to 1210-n and the external management apparatus.

The OS 1230 is the application 121.
Each software of the 0-1 to 1210-n, the user information management means 1260 and the communication control means 1270 is controlled in parallel as a process. The OS 1230 is the BIOS 12
40, the device driver 1250 is used to make a request to the hardware resource 1100.

Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 1000 will be described. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The information processing apparatus 1000 includes an input device 1510, a display device 1520, an auxiliary storage device 1530, a memory device 1540, and an arithmetic processing device 155, which are connected to each other by a bus B.
0 and communication device 1560.

The input device 1510 is composed of a keyboard and a mouse, and is used for inputting various operation instructions. The display device 1520 displays various windows and data necessary for operation. The auxiliary storage device 1530 is
It stores a program that causes the information processing apparatus 1000 to perform processing, and also stores various files and data necessary for processing the program. Communication device 1560
Is for communicating with an external management device, which will be described later, connected via a network.

The memory device 1540 is used by the information processing device 10.
00 is started, the program is read from the auxiliary storage device 1530 and stored. The arithmetic processing unit 1550 executes processing according to a program stored in the memory device 1540.

The information processing apparatus 1000 as described above is connected to, for example, another computer or an image forming apparatus via a network, and distributes image information or the like using the distribution function. Information processing apparatus 1000 having distribution function
Has delivery destination information and usage restriction / billing information as user information. The information processing apparatus 1000 that does not have a distribution function has usage restriction / billing information as user information.

Next, the information processing apparatus 1000 according to the present invention.
An image forming apparatus 1 will be described as an application example of. The image forming apparatus 1 described in this embodiment is a printer,
It is also called a fusion machine because the functions of each device such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a scanner are housed in one housing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the compound machine according to the present invention. The compound machine 1 is a black and white line printer 11
A color line printer 12, a hardware resource 13 such as a scanner or a facsimile, a software group 20, and a multi-function peripheral activation unit 50. The software group 20 is an application 30.
And a platform 40.

The platform 40 interprets the processing request from the application 30 and generates a hardware resource acquisition request, and manages one or more hardware resources to arbitrate the acquisition request from the control service. It has a system resource manager (hereinafter referred to as SRM) 43 and an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) 41.

The control service includes a system control service (hereinafter referred to as SCS) 42, an engine control service (hereinafter referred to as ECS) 44, and a memory control service (hereinafter referred to as MCS) 4
5, operation panel control service (hereinafter referred to as OCS) 46, fax control service (hereinafter referred to as FCS) 47, network control service (hereinafter referred to as NCS) 48, user information management service (hereinafter referred to as UCS) 49, etc. It is configured to have the above service modules.

The platform 40 is configured to have an application program interface (hereinafter referred to as API) that enables the processing request from the application 30 to be received by a predefined function.

The OS 41 is an operating system such as Unix (UNIX (registered trademark)), and executes each software of the platform 40 and the application 30 as processes in parallel.

The SRM 43 process controls the system and manages resources together with the SCS 42. For example, the SRM 43 process includes an engine such as a scanner unit and a printer unit, a memory, a hard disk device (HDD) file, a host I / O (Centro interface, network interface, IEEE1).
Arbitration is performed and execution control is performed according to a request from an upper layer that uses hardware resources such as the 394 interface and the RS232C interface.

Specifically, the SRM 43 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource is used. Notify upper layers that it is possible. Further, the SRM 43 schedules the use of hardware resources in response to a request from the upper layer, and directly executes request contents such as paper conveyance and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory reservation, and file generation.

The SCS 42 process includes application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display,
Performs resource management and interrupt application control.
The ECS 44 process controls the engines of the monochrome line printer 11, the color line printer 12, and the hardware resources 13.

The process of MCS 45 includes acquisition and release of image memory, use of hard disk device (HDD),
It compresses and decompresses image data. The process of OCS 46 controls the operation panel which is a means for transmitting information between the operator and the main body control.

The process of the FCS 47 is executed by the PSTN or IS from each application layer of the system controller.
An application is provided for performing facsimile transmission / reception using a DN network, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception.

The NCS 48 process uses the network I
It provides a service that can be used in common to applications that require I / O. When distributing the data received by each protocol from the network side to each application, or when transmitting the data from the application to the network side, Mediate.

The process of the UCS 49 manages user information, determines the storage device storing the user information according to the request, acquires the user information from the determined storage device, and supplies it to each application. To do.

Further, the application 30 performs processing unique to each user service relating to image forming processing such as printer, copy, facsimile, and scanner. The application 30 includes a printer application 31 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL, PCL) and Postscript (PS), a copy application 32 that is a copy application, and a fax application 33 that is a facsimile application. The scanner application 34 is a scanner application, the network file application 35 is a network file application, and the process inspection application 36 is a process inspection application.

The multi-function peripheral activation unit 50 is first executed when the power of the multi-function peripheral 1 is turned on, and activates the application 30 and the platform 40. For example, the multi-function peripheral activation unit 50 reads programs for control services and applications from a flash memory described later,
The read programs are transferred to a memory area secured on the SRAM or SDRAM and activated.

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the compound machine according to the present invention. The compound machine 1 of FIG. 4 has a controller board 60, an operation panel 70, and a fax control unit (hereinafter referred to as FCU).
80, a USB device 90, an IEEE 1394 device 100, and an engine unit 110. The FCU 80 has a memory. FC
The memory of U80 has,
It is used to temporarily store the facsimile data received at F.

The operation panel 70 is directly connected to the ASIC 62 of the controller board 60. In addition, FCU80, USB device 90, IEEE139
4 device 100 and engine unit 110 are connected to ASIC 62 of controller board 60 by PCI bus (Peripher
al Component Interconnect bus) etc. are connected.

The controller board 60 is a CPU
61, ASIC 62, SRAM (Static RAM) 63
, An SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) 64, a flash memory 65, an HDD 66, and a network I / F controller 67. The controller board 60 includes a CPU 61, SRAM 63, SDR
The AM 64, the flash memory 65, the HDD 66, the network I / F controller 67, and the like are connected to the ASIC 62.

The CPU 61 controls the entire compound machine 1. The CPU 61 uses the OS 41 to form the platform 40 in SCS 42, SRM 43, ECS 4
4, MCS45, OCS46, FCS47 and NCS
The printer application 3 that starts and executes 48 as processes and forms the application 30.
1, to activate and execute the copy application 32, the fax application 33, the scanner application 34, the net file application 35, and the process inspection application 36.

The ASIC 62 is an IC for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing. SRA
Virtual memory areas such as kernels and processes are mapped to the physical memory areas of the M63 and the SDRAM 64.

Flash memory 6 as nonvolatile RAM
5 is an application 30 or platform 4
Each application, control service, and SRM that make up 0
Each program such as 43 and usage restrictions / billing information are stored. The HDD 66 is a storage for accumulating image data, programs, font data, forms, and distribution destination information. The operation panel 70 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from an operator and displays a message for the operator.

The multi-function machine 1 as described above is connected to, for example, another multi-function machine or a computer via a network.
Image information is distributed using the distribution function. The multi-function peripheral 1 equipped with the distribution function can distribute the distribution destination information and use restrictions /
It has billing information as user information. The multi-function peripheral 1 that does not have a distribution function has usage restriction / billing information as user information.

The user information management method of the present invention will be described below. In the following description, the processing of the multi-function peripheral 1 as an application example of the information processing apparatus 1000 according to the present invention will be mainly described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the user information management method of the present invention. The usage restriction / billing information stored in the flash memory 65 manages the availability of various functions and the number of usable functions, and is configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of usage restriction / billing information. The usage restriction / billing information in FIG. 6 includes data items such as a management number, a registration number, a user name, a user code, a copy function use availability, a copy function use quantity, a distribution function use availability, and a distribution function use quantity. . The usage restriction / billing information stored in the flash memory 65 is stored in the SCS42.
It is managed by the billing information management module 121 included in.

The flash memory 65 also stores management parameters for various services, modules, and applications, which are managed by the system initialization module included in the SCS 42.

The distribution destination information stored in the HDD 66 is for managing the distribution destination, sender, etc.
For example, it is configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a configuration diagram of an example of distribution destination information. The distribution destination information in FIG. 7 has data items such as management number, registration number, user name, electronic mail address, sender availability. The distribution destination information stored in the HDD 66 is managed by the USC 49.

The UCS 49 directly manages the distribution destination information stored in the HDD 66, while managing the usage restriction / billing information stored in the flash memory 65 via the billing information management module 121.

In the case of the compound machine 1 having no distribution function, there is no distribution destination information stored in the HDD 66. UCS even if the multi-function machine 1 does not have a distribution function
49 manages the usage restriction / billing information stored in the flash memory 65 via the billing information management module 121, so that the interface can be unified regardless of the presence or absence of the distribution function.

Although FIG. 5 shows an example in which the usage restriction / billing information is stored in the flash memory 65 and the distribution destination information is stored in the HDD 66, the usage restriction / billing information or the distribution destination information is stored in the memory of the FCU 80. You may Further, a part of the usage restriction / billing information or the delivery destination information may be stored in the memory of the FCU 80.

The remote interface 122 and the external management device 124 included in the UCS 49 are connected to the XML (Extensible) via the NCS 48 and the network 123.
SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) for exchanging messages described in Markup Language
Use to communicate.

The remote interface 122 is We
It has one or more Web service functions (hereinafter referred to as WSF) for realizing the b service. The external management device 124 remotely manages user information by remotely accessing the WSF provided to the outside by the remote interface 122 using SOAP.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining remote management of user information. The external management device 124 is We
b Service request (hereinafter referred to as WS request)
To a WS request described in XML,
PROXY13 that outputs the WS request described in
Has 0. The remote interface 122 is an XM
It has an L parser 131, a conversion library 132, and one or more WSFs 133a to 133n.

The XML parser 131 verifies the validity of the request described in XML according to the document type definition (DTD) and parses the document type definition into a tree-type parser that can be used by the conversion library 132. Convert. The conversion library 132 converts the parse supplied from the XML parser 131 into a WS request. WSF
133a to 133n are functions that realize the Web service provided for each method provided by the UCS 49.

The PROXY 130 of the external management device 124 converts the WS request into a WS request described in XML, and converts the WS request described in XML into the multi-function peripheral 1
To the NCS 48. The NCS 48 distributes the WS request described in XML to the XML parser 131 according to the URL, for example.

The XML parser 131 converts the request described in XML into a tree-type parse that can be used by the conversion library 132, and then supplies it to the conversion library 132. The conversion library 132 is an XML parser 13
1 is converted into a WS request, and the converted WS request corresponds to, for example, WSF133a.
Specify. UCS49 is specified for example WSF133
According to a, the external management device 124 is provided with a Web service such as a user information reference function and an update function.

PROXY130, conversion library 13
2, WSF133a ~ 133n, WSDL (Web Serv).
It is created from the interface specifications of the Web service as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 described in ice description language). 9 to FIG. 11 are Web based on WSDL.
The image figure of an example of a service description is shown. Note that FIG.
FIG. 11 is an example in which a Web service for acquiring a generation number is described.

For example, in the description part 140, the input parameter used to acquire the generation number is "ticket",
Indicates that the data type is binary data. In the description part 141, the output parameters used to acquire the generation number are “returnValue” and “gener”.
ation_out ”and“ returnValue
The data type of "e" is an enumeration, and "generation"
It indicates that the data type of “_out” is a non-negative integer.

The description portion 142 represents which parameter is used by the method corresponding to the generation number acquisition. Note that the <operation n of the description part 142 is
ame = “getGeneration”> corresponds to, for example, one WSF 133a. The Web service description in WSDL is created, for example, when the multi-function peripheral 1 is developed.

Next, a user information reference process using remote management will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of an example of user information reference processing using remote management.

In step S10, the external management device 124
W to remotely access the method provided by the remote interface 122 and acquire the specification information.
Use eb service. Input / output parameters as shown in FIG. 13 are used for the Web service for acquiring the specification information. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for acquiring the specification information.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the specification information structure.

In step S11 following step S10, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses the Web service for authenticating the user or the administrator. Input / output parameters as shown in FIG. 15 are used for the Web service that authenticates the user or the administrator. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for authenticating a user or an administrator.

A Web service for authenticating a user or an administrator causes a password to be input as an input parameter from the external management apparatus 124 and outputs authentication information as an output parameter to the external management apparatus 124. The authentication information indicates that the authentication has been completed. Authentication information is requested as an input parameter in a Web service for referring and updating user information. This is to prevent remote access from unauthorized users.

In step S12 following step S11, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses the Web service for acquiring the generation number. Input / output parameters as shown in FIG. 16 are used for the Web service for acquiring the generation number.

FIG. 16 shows We for obtaining the generation number.
The block diagram of an example of the input-output parameter utilized by b service is shown. In the Web service for acquiring the generation number, authentication information is input from the external management device 124 as an input parameter, and the generation number is output to the external management device 124 as an output parameter. Since the generation number is updated every time the user information is updated, it can be used to determine whether the user information has not been updated in response to a request from others.

In step S13 following step S12, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses the Web service for acquiring the headline set. Input / output parameters as shown in FIG. 17 are used for the Web service for acquiring the headline set. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for acquiring the headline set.

In the Web service for acquiring the headline set, the authentication information and the generation number are input as input parameters, and the generation number and the array of the headline set information structure are output to the external management device 124 as output parameters. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the heading set information structure.

In step S14 following step S13, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122, and provides a Web service for acquiring the index for each index set acquired in step S13. To use. Input / output parameters as shown in FIG. 19 are used for the Web service for acquiring the headline. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for acquiring the headline.

In the Web service for acquiring the headline, the authentication information, the generation number, and the headline set management number are input as the input parameters, and the generation number and the array of the headline information structure are output to the external management device 124 as the output parameters. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of the heading information structure.

In step S15 following step S14, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122, and provides the Web service for acquiring the entry list for all the headlines acquired in step S14. To use. Input / output parameters as shown in FIG. 21 are used for the Web service for acquiring the entry list. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for acquiring the entry list.

In the Web service for acquiring the entry list, the authentication information, the generation number,
Input the heading management number, narrowing filter, number of skipped entries, maximum number of simultaneous acquisition entries, output number as generation parameter, number of entries satisfying condition, whether or not all entries are acquired, and externally manage entry information array Output to the device 124. In addition, FIG.
[Fig. 3] shows a configuration diagram of an example of a narrowing filter. FIG. 23
Shows a configuration diagram of an example of an entry information structure.

In step S16 following step S15, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses the Web service for acquiring the detailed entry information.

When the account information is acquired as the entry detail information, the Web service for acquiring the account information uses the input / output parameters as shown in FIG.
FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for acquiring account information. In the Web service for acquiring account information, the external management device 1 includes the authentication information, the generation number, the array of entry management numbers, and the acquisition member designation as input parameters
24, and outputs an array of generation numbers and account information as output parameters to the external management device 124. Further, FIG. 25 shows a configuration diagram of an example of the account information structure. FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing an example of the mail destination information structure. FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing an example of the FAX destination information structure. FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing an example of the user code information structure.

When the group information is acquired as the entry detailed information, the input / output parameters as shown in FIG. 29 are used for the Web service for acquiring the group information. Figure 2
9 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for acquiring group information. In the Web service for acquiring the group information, the external management device 124 is made to input the authentication information, the generation number, the array of the entry management number, and the acquisition member designation as the input parameters, and the generation number and the array of the group information are externally managed as the output parameters. Output to the device 124.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing an example of the group information structure. FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing an example of the mail group information structure. FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing an example of the FAX group information structure.

In step S17 following step S16, the external management device 124 creates a display screen as shown in FIG. 43 according to the information acquired in steps S13 to S16. FIG. 43 shows an image diagram of an example of the display screen.

The display screen of FIG. 43 displays the number of printed sheets for each user, the usage restriction information for each user, the E-mail information, and the FAX.
It has a screen for displaying information. FIG. 43 shows E-ma.
This is an example in which a screen for displaying il information is selected.

In step S18 following step S17, the external management device 124 displays the display screen created in step S17. As described above, since the user information can be referred to by the external management device 124 instead of the operation panel 70 of the multi-function peripheral 1, it is possible to display a large amount of user information at one time.

Next, a user information update process using remote management will be described with reference to the drawings. The update process of the user information using the remote management is performed, for example, by displaying the display screen according to the flowchart of FIG. 12 and then remotely accessing the method provided by the remote interface 122 by the external management device 124 for each set of headings. Web service for replacing the heading information of the above, Web service for replacing the entry for each heading, Web service for deleting the entry having the specified ID, Web service for creating a new account , Web service for updating account information, Web service for creating new group, Web for updating group information
Service can be realized.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for replacing the heading information for each heading set. In the Web service for replacing the heading information for each heading set, the authentication information, the generation number, the heading set management number, and the heading array are input as input parameters, and the generation number is output parameter.
The set number of headlines is output to the external management device 124.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for replacing the entry for each headline. In the Web service for replacing the entry for each heading, the authentication information, the generation number, the heading management number, the number of skipped entries, whether or not the last entry, and the array of the entry management number are input as input parameters, and the generation number is output parameter. The number of correctly processed entries is output to the external management device 124.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for deleting an entry having a designated ID. In a Web service for deleting an entry having a specified ID, an array of authentication information, generation number, and entry management number is input as an input parameter, and a generation number is output as an output parameter.
The number of deleted entries is output to the external management device 124.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for creating a new account. W to create a new account
In the eb service, an array of authentication information, a generation number, and account information is input as an input parameter, and an array of a generation number and a management number of a newly created entry is output to the external management device 124 as an output parameter.

FIG. 37 shows W for updating account information.
The block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter utilized by eb service is shown. In the Web service for updating account information, the authentication information, generation number, update member designation, and array of account information are input as input parameters, and the generation number and the number of updated entries are output as output parameters to the external management device 124. .

FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for creating a new group. Web for creating a new group
In the service, an array of authentication information, generation number, and group information is input as an input parameter, and an array of a generation number and a management number of a newly created entry is output to the external management device 124 as an output parameter.

FIG. 39 shows We for updating group information.
The block diagram of an example of the input-output parameter utilized by b service is shown. In the Web service for updating the group information, the authentication information, the generation number, the designation of the acquisition member, and the array of group information are input as the input parameters, and the generation number and the number of updated entries are output as the output parameters to the external management device 124. .

Next, the backup and restore processing of user information using remote management will be described with reference to the drawings. For example, the user information can be backed up by using the above-mentioned user information reference processing. The external management apparatus 124 can perform backup by acquiring the user information by using the user information reference process and storing the acquired user information in the storage device.

On the other hand, the restoration of the user information is performed, for example, with FIG.
The procedure of the flowchart shown in 0 is performed. Figure 40
FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an example of a process of restoring user information using remote management.

The processing of steps S20 to S22 is shown in FIG.
Since it is the same as the processing of steps S10 to S12, the description thereof is omitted. In step S23, the external management device 124
Uses the Web service for remotely accessing the method provided by the remote interface 122 and performing the process before the restore.

FIG. 41 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for performing pre-restoration processing. The Web service for performing the process before the restore inputs the authentication information and the generation number as the input parameters from the external management device 124, and outputs the generation number as the output parameter to the external management device 124.

In step S24 following step S23, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses the Web service for deleting all entries. However, the billing information stored in the flash memory 65 is not deleted.

In step S25 following step S24, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses the Web service for replacing the heading for each heading set that has already been backed up.

In step S26 following step S25, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122, and adds a Web for adding all groups already backed up.
Use the service.

In step S27 following step S26, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122 and adds the We account for adding all the accounts already backed up.
b Use the service.

In step S28 following step S27, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses the Web service for replacing the entry for each headline that has already been backed up.

In step S29 following step S28, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses a Web service for performing post-restoration processing.

FIG. 42 is a block diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for performing post-restoration processing. The Web service for performing the post-restoration processing inputs the authentication information and the generation number as the input parameters from the external management apparatus 124, and outputs the generation number as the output parameter to the external management apparatus 124.

By the processing of FIG. 40, the external management apparatus 12 can restore the user information stored in the flash memory 65 or the HDD 66 by using the backed up user information. As described above, since the multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present invention is provided with the remote interface 122, it is possible to manage user information remotely.

Although the UCS 49 is included in the control service in the configuration diagram of FIG. 3, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, UCS49 uses application 3
It may be included in 0.

In this embodiment, the processing of the multi-function peripheral 1 has been mainly described, but the information processing apparatus 1000 shown in FIGS.
It is easy to apply to. In the information processing apparatus 1000, the user information management means 1260 is used instead of the UCS 49 of FIG.
Will manage the user information. Further, in the information processing apparatus 1000, the communication control means 1270 controls the communication instead of the NCS 48 of FIG. Note that in the case of the information processing device 1000, the configuration corresponding to the SCS 42 is not always essential.

[0170]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the user information is managed by using the external management device connected through the network, the performance and image of the operation panel provided in the information processing device are controlled. The user information can be managed in the prescribed format provided in the external management device, instead of the prescribed format provided in the forming apparatus for managing the user information in advance. Further, the operator can manage the user information without going to the place where the information processing apparatus is installed.

Therefore, the processing relating to the user information can be facilitated to reduce the work load on the user, and the user information can be shared with other image forming apparatuses.

[0172]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of an information processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of an information processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a compound machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the compound machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a user information management method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example of usage restriction / billing information.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an example of distribution destination information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining remote management of user information.

FIG. 9 is an image diagram (1/3) of an example of a Web service description in WSDL.

FIG. 10 is an image diagram (2/3) of an example of a Web service description in WSDL.

FIG. 11 is an image diagram (3/3) of an example of a Web service description in WSDL.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example of user information reference processing using remote management.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring specification information.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an example of a specification information structure.

FIG. 15 is a Web for authenticating a user or an administrator
It is a block diagram of an example of the input and output parameters used in the service.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring a generation number.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring a set of headings.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of an example of a heading set information structure.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring a headline.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of an example of a heading information structure.

FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring an entry list.

FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram of an example of a narrowing filter.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of an example of an entry information structure.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring account information.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of an example of an account information structure.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a mail destination information structure.

FIG. 27 is a configuration diagram of an example of a fax destination information structure.

FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram of an example of a user code information structure.

FIG. 29 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring group information.

FIG. 30 is a configuration diagram of an example of a group information structure.

FIG. 31 is a configuration diagram of an example of a mail group information structure.

FIG. 32 is a configuration diagram of an example of a FAX group information structure.

[Fig. 33] Fig. 33 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in the Web service for replacing the heading information for each heading set.

FIG. 34: W for replacing entries by heading
It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used by the eb service.

[Fig. 35] Fig. 35 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for deleting an entry having a designated ID.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for creating a new account.

FIG. 37 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for updating account information.

[Fig. 38] Fig. 38 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for creating a new group.

[Fig. 39] Fig. 39 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for updating group information.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart of an example of a process for restoring user information using remote management.

[Fig. 41] Fig. 41 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for performing a process before restoration.

[Fig. 42] Fig. 42 is a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for performing a process after restoration.

FIG. 43 is an image diagram of an example of a display screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Fusion machine 11 Monochrome line printer 12 Color line printer 13,1140 Hardware resource 20,1200 Software group 30,1210-1-1210-n Application 40 Platform 41 Operating system (OS) 42 System control service (SCS) 43 System resource Manager (SRM) 44 Engine Control Service (ECS) 45 Memory Control Service (MCS) 46 Operation Panel Control Service (OCS) 47 Fax Control Service (FCS) 48 Network Control Service (NCS) 49 User Information Management Service (UCS) 50 Fusion Machine startup unit 60 Controller board 61 CPU 62 ASIC (Application Specific Integrated
Circuit) 63 SRAM (Static RAM) 64 SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) 65 Flash memory 66 Hard disk device (HDD) 67 Network I / F controller 70 Operation panel 80 Fax control unit (FCU) 90 USB device 100 IEEE 1394 device 110 Engine unit 121 Billing Information management module 122 Remote interface 123 Network 124 External management device 130 PROXY 131 XML parser 132 Conversion library 133a to 133n WSF (Web Service Functio)
n) 1000 Information processing device 1100 Hardware resource 1110 Memory device 1120 Input device 1130 Display device 1220 Application program interface (API) 1230 Operating system 1240 BIOS 1250 Device driver 1260 User information management means 1270 Communication control means 1510 Input device 1520 Display device 1530 Auxiliary storage device 1540 Memory device 1550 Arithmetic processing device 1560 Communication device

Claims (31)

[Claims] 1. A user information management method for an information processing apparatus having at least one application for performing information processing, wherein the user information management means is an external management apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network. A user information management method, comprising: a receiving step of receiving a request for user information from the user, and a processing step in which the user information managing means uses a predetermined function to perform processing related to the user information according to the request. . 2. In the receiving step, the remote interface unit included in the user information management unit uses a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages described in a predetermined description language, and the user information is transmitted from the external management apparatus. The user information management method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a request relating to. 3. The user information management method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined protocol is a simple object access protocol. 4. The user information management method according to claim 1, wherein the user information includes distribution destination information and usage authority / billing information. 5. The storage means includes distribution destination information storage means for storing the distribution destination information and usage authority / charging information storage means for storing the usage authority / billing information. 4. The user information management method described in 4. 6. The processing step is characterized in that the remote interface means included in the user information management means performs processing relating to user information in response to the request by using a predetermined function defined in advance. Claim 1
5. The user information management method according to any one of 5 to 5. 7. The user information management method according to claim 6, wherein the function requests acquisition of function information possessed by the user information management means. 8. The user information management method according to claim 6, wherein the function requests authentication of a user who operates the external management apparatus. 9. The function according to claim 6, wherein the function requests acquisition of a generation number of the user information.
User information management method described. 10. The user information management method according to claim 6, wherein the function requests acquisition of user information stored in the storage means. 11. The user information management method according to claim 6, wherein the function requests acquisition of user information that matches a predetermined condition among the user information stored in the storage means. 12. The user information management method according to claim 6, wherein the function requests updating of user information stored in the storage means. 13. When authentication of a user who operates the external management apparatus is successful, authentication information is transmitted to the external management apparatus, and the authentication information is added to a message supplied from the external management apparatus. 9. The user information management method according to claim 8, which is characterized in that. 14. The generation number is added to a message supplied from the external management apparatus by transmitting the generation number to the external management apparatus in response to a request from the external management apparatus. 9. The user information management method described in 9. 15. An information processing apparatus having at least one application for performing information processing, wherein a request for user information is received from a storage means for storing user information and an external management apparatus connected via a network. And a user information management unit that performs a process related to the user information stored in the storage unit by using a predetermined function corresponding to the request. 16. The user information management means includes remote interface means for receiving a request for user information from the external management device using a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages described in a predetermined description language. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein: 17. The predetermined protocol is simple
The information processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the information processing apparatus is an object access protocol. 18. The user information includes distribution destination information and usage authority / billing information.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of 5 to 17. 19. The storage means includes distribution destination information storage means for storing the distribution destination information, and usage authority / billing information storage means for storing the usage authority / billing information. 18. The information processing device according to item 18. 20. The user information management means includes remote interface means for performing a process related to the user information in response to the request by using a predetermined function defined in advance. The information processing device according to any one of claims. 21. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the function requests acquisition of function information held by the user information management means. 22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the function requests authentication of a user who operates the external management apparatus. 23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the function requests acquisition of a generation number of the user information. 24. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the function requests acquisition of user information stored in storage means. 25. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the function requests acquisition of user information that matches a predetermined condition among the user information stored in the storage means. 26. The information processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the function requests updating of the user information stored in the storage means. 27. When authentication of a user who operates the external management apparatus is successful, authentication information is transmitted to the external management apparatus, and the authentication information is added to a message supplied from the external management apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that 28. The generation number is transmitted to the external management apparatus in response to a request from the external management apparatus, and the generation number is added to a message supplied from the external management apparatus. 23. The information processing device according to 23. 29. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a control means for managing hardware resources used in information processing and an operating system. 30. A transmission request procedure for requesting a computer to transmit user information to an information processing apparatus connected via a network using a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages described in a predetermined description language. In accordance with a reception procedure for receiving user information from the information processing device using the protocol, a display procedure for displaying a screen based on the received user information, and a user information update request input by a user. ,
A user information management program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute an update request procedure for requesting update of user information using the protocol. 31. A transmission request procedure for requesting a computer to transmit user information to an information processing apparatus connected via a network, using a predetermined protocol for exchanging messages described in a predetermined description language. In accordance with a reception procedure for receiving user information from the information processing device using the protocol, a display procedure for displaying a screen based on the received user information, and a user information update request input by a user. ,
A computer-readable recording medium recording a user information management program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute an update request procedure for requesting update of user information using the protocol.