JP2018156609A - Service providing system, information processing device, program, information processing system, and cooperative processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a service providing system capable of varying the digit number of a temporary code to be issued.SOLUTION: A service providing system which provides a service for performing a series of processing for printing cooperatively with an image forming apparatus comprises: a plurality of processing means for performing a series of processing for printing; flow control means for receiving an execution request of printing to be performed by the image forming apparatus from terminal equipment, and for, on the basis of flow setting and parameter setting of the series of processing for printing included in the execution request of printing, causing the plurality of processing means to issue a print instruction to be provided to the image forming apparatus; print instruction distribution means for, on the basis of an acquisition request of the print instruction from the image forming apparatus, distributing the print instruction to the image forming apparatus; and authentication management means for issuing unique code information of a dynamically selected digit number. The plurality of processing means includes print instruction means for issuing the print instruction, and for causing the print instruction distribution means to store the issued print instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a service providing system, an information processing apparatus, a program, an information processing system, and a cooperation processing method.

  In recent years, a variety of services have come to be provided due to advances in technology such as cloud computing.

  For example, a cloud print service that can print a job associated with a PIN by issuing a PIN code associated with the job and inputting the PIN code to the image forming apparatus has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  Conventionally, the number of digits of a PIN code is often fixed and determined. However, if the PIN code has a small number of digits, the usability increases, but the possibility of batting increases. On the other hand, if the number of digits of the PIN code is large, the possibility of batting decreases, but there is a problem that usability is impaired.

  One embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a service providing system capable of changing the number of digits of a temporary code to be issued.

  In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention provides a service providing system that provides a service for performing a series of processes for printing in cooperation with an image forming apparatus, and performs printing performed in the image forming apparatus. A plurality of processing means for performing a series of processes for receiving, a print execution request to be performed in the image forming apparatus from a terminal device, and a flow setting of a series of processes for the print included in the print execution request And a flow control unit that causes the plurality of processing units to issue a print command to be provided to the image forming apparatus based on the parameter setting, and the print command based on the print command acquisition request from the image forming apparatus. A print command delivery means for delivering to the forming apparatus; and an authentication management means for issuing unique code information having a dynamically selected number of digits. The issues the print instruction, the print instruction unit configured to store issued the print command to the print command distributing means, characterized in that is included.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a service providing system that can change the number of digits of a temporary code to be issued.

It is a lineblock diagram of an example of an information processing system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of the computer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a processing block diagram of an example of the information processing system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a sequence diagram of an example of a print command input process. It is a block diagram of an example of the job execution request input into a service provision system. It is a data flow figure of an example between each component. It is a block diagram of an example of the print command data registered into a command delivery part. It is a block diagram of an example of the processed printing command data. It is a figure explaining an example of the preservation | save format of print command data. It is a screen transition diagram of an example of an external application. It is a figure explaining the content delivery from a service provision system to an image forming apparatus. 6 is a transition diagram of an example of a UI displayed on a browser of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a sequence diagram of an example of printing execution by temporary code input. It is a block diagram of an example of the print command data in which the state was changed during processing. It is a block diagram of an example of the print command data containing an access token. It is a block diagram of an example of the print command data in which the state was changed to completion. It is a state transition diagram of print command data. It is an image figure of an example of the command selection screen which can delete printing command data. It is a flowchart of an example which determines the number of digits of the temporary code to issue. It is a block diagram of an example of apparatus information. It is a block diagram of an example of a usage history. It is a block diagram of an example of a security policy. It is explanatory drawing of an example showing the number of digits of the temporary code selected dynamically. It is a flowchart of an example which determines the number of digits of the temporary code to issue. It is a block diagram of an example of a security policy. It is a block diagram of an example of the concept of the security policy defined beforehand. It is a block diagram of an example of the information processing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a processing block diagram of an example of an information processing system concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram (1/2) of an example of the scan delivery process performed using a PIN code. It is a sequence diagram (2/2) of an example of the scan delivery process performed using a PIN code. It is a figure explaining the relationship of various parameters. It is explanatory drawing of an example of a flow parameter. It is explanatory drawing of an example of a job parameter. It is explanatory drawing of an example of a command parameter. It is explanatory drawing of an example of a file parameter. It is a block diagram of an example of the table which matches a command parameter and a PIN code. It is a screen transition diagram of an example at the time of application registration in an external application. FIG. 10 is a screen transition diagram of an example when registering a scan job in an external application. It is a screen transition diagram of an example when a scan job is executed in a browser.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. An information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a service providing environment E1 and a user environment E2, and is communicably connected via a wide area network N1 such as the Internet.

  The service providing environment E1 is a system environment that provides services such as cloud services via the network N1. In the present embodiment, a cloud service will be described as an example of a service, but a service such as a service provided by an ASP (Application Service Provider) or a web service may be used.

  The service providing environment E1 includes a service providing system 10 that is realized by one or more information processing apparatuses. The service providing system 10 provides a predetermined service via the network N1.

  For example, the service providing system 10 provides a service (cloud print service) for printing a stored electronic file with the image forming apparatus 20 in the user environment E2. The information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described assuming that the service providing system 10 provides such a cloud print service.

  All or part of the service providing system 10 may be installed in the user environment E2. In other words, all or part of the information processing apparatus constituting the service providing system 10 may be included in the user environment E2.

  The user environment E2 is a system environment of a company or the like that is a user who uses the image forming apparatus 20, for example. In the user environment E2, the image forming apparatus 20 and the terminal device 30 are connected via a network N2 such as a LAN. The image forming apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment is an apparatus having a print function. Note that the image forming apparatus 20 may be an electronic device such as a multifunction machine having a scan function, a copy function, a fax (FAX) communication function, and the like in addition to the print function. The terminal device 30 according to the first embodiment is a device that can be operated by a user, such as a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet PC on which a general OS is installed.

  The configuration of the information processing system 1 in FIG. 1 is an example, and may be another configuration. For example, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 may be provided. Further, the terminal device 30 may be connected to the network N1.

<Hardware configuration>
≪Computer≫
One or more information processing apparatuses for realizing the service providing system 10 of FIG. 1 are realized by a computer having a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 1 is also realized by a computer having a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to the first embodiment.

  A computer 500 shown in FIG. 2 includes an input device 11, a display device 12, an external I / F 13, a RAM 14, a ROM 15, a CPU 16, a communication I / F 17, and an HDD 18. Each of these hardware is connected by a bus B.

  The input device 11 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and is used by a user to input each operation signal. The display device 12 includes a display and the like, and displays a processing result by the computer 500. The input device 11 and the display device 12 may be connected and used when necessary.

  The communication I / F 17 is an interface that connects the computer 500 to the network N1. Thereby, the computer 500 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 17. The HDD 18 is an example of a nonvolatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include an OS that is basic software for controlling the entire computer 500, and application software that provides various functions on the OS.

  The computer 500 may use a drive device (for example, a solid state drive: SSD) using a flash memory as a storage medium instead of the HDD 18. The HDD 18 manages stored programs and data by a predetermined file system and / or DB.

  The external I / F 13 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 13a. Thereby, the computer 500 can read and / or write the recording medium 13a via the external I / F 13. Examples of the recording medium 13a include a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, and a USB memory.

  The ROM 15 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 15 stores programs and data such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer 500 is started. The RAM 14 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores programs and data.

  The CPU 16 is an arithmetic device that realizes control and functions of the entire computer 500 by reading programs and data from the storage device such as the ROM 15 and the HDD 18 onto the RAM 14 and executing processing.

  One or more information processing apparatuses that implement the service providing system 10 can implement various processes as described below by the hardware configuration of the computer 500. In addition, the terminal device 30 can also realize various processes described later by the hardware configuration of the computer 500.

≪Image forming device≫
The image forming apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1 has a hardware configuration shown in FIG. 3, for example. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a controller 21, an operation panel 22, an external I / F 23, a communication I / F 24, a printer 25, and a scanner 26.

  The controller 21 includes a CPU 211, a RAM 212, a ROM 213, an NVRAM 214, and an HDD 215. The ROM 213 stores various programs and data. The RAM 212 temporarily stores programs and data. The NVRAM 214 stores, for example, setting information. The HDD 215 stores various programs and data.

  The CPU 211 implements control and functions of the entire image forming apparatus 20 by reading programs, data, setting information, and the like from the ROM 213, NVRAM 214, HDD 215, and the like onto the RAM 212 and executing processing.

  The operation panel 22 includes an input unit that receives input from a user and a display unit that performs display. The external I / F 23 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 23a. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 20 can read and / or write the recording medium 23a via the external I / F 23. The recording medium 23a includes an IC card, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, and the like.

  The communication I / F 24 is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 20 to the network N2. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 20 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 24.

  The printer 25 is a printing device for printing print data on a transported object. For example, the object to be conveyed is not limited to paper such as paper, coated paper, cardboard, OHP, plastic film, prepreg, and copper foil. The scanner 26 is a reading device for reading image data (electronic data) from a document and generating an image file (electronic file).

  The image forming apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment can implement various processes as described later by having the above-described hardware configuration.

<Software configuration>
The information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment can be realized by a processing block as shown in FIG. 4, for example. FIG. 4 is a processing block diagram of an example of the information processing system according to the first embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is equipped with a browser 51. A user of the image forming apparatus 20 can use a service provided by the service providing system 10 via the browser 51. As described above, the image forming apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment only needs to include the browser 51. For example, the browser 51 can display Web content acquired from the service providing system 10.

  The service providing system 10 includes a document service unit 101, a file service unit 102, an input / output service processing unit 103, an authentication management unit 104, a device service unit 105, a print data file storage unit 106, and a device application information storage unit 107. The print data file storage unit 106 and the device application information storage unit 107 may be realized by a storage device connected to the service providing system 10 via a network.

  The document service unit 101 is a group of programs (modules) for realizing a service provided by the service providing system 10. For example, the document service unit 101 includes a print conversion unit 111 that converts a document in each format into a data format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 20. In addition to the print conversion unit 111, the document service unit 101 includes programs for executing various processes such as a program for compressing or decompressing an electronic file and a program for executing an OCR process on the electronic file. May be. The file service unit 102 has a data management unit 112. The data management unit 112 manages access to files used from the outside.

  The input / output service processing unit 103 includes a flow control unit 113 and a component group 114. The flow control unit 113 realizes a document workflow by linking and executing a plurality of components having input, output, and conversion functions related to a document. Here, the component is a module or the like for executing various processes, and is defined by a class or a function, for example. The flow control unit 113 provides an API that can specify component connection and parameters to the external application 31 described later.

  The component group 114 is a set of components. The component group 114 includes a print conversion component 121, an authentication component 122, a file input component 123, and a print command component 124.

  The print conversion component 121 uses the print conversion unit 111 of the document service unit 101 to convert the electronic file into print data in a printable format. The authentication component 122 performs service authentication. In addition to authenticating the service providing system 10 using the authentication management unit 104, the authentication component 122 performs proxy authentication of the external service when using the external service.

  The file input component 123 receives a file input directly from the external application 31 described later. Note that the file input component 123 may be a component that designates and inputs a file on an external file storage service. The print command component 124 inputs a print command described in a predetermined format including the location of the file to be printed into the command distribution unit 115 described later.

  The authentication management unit 104 performs user account authentication management. The authentication management unit 104 issues and verifies a temporary code for executing printing without performing user login. The authentication management unit 104 manages security policies. The device service unit 105 includes an instruction distribution unit 115, an application distribution unit 116, a user management unit 117, and a usage history unit 118.

  The command distribution unit 115 queues the print command input from the print command component 124 and transmits the print command to the image forming device 20 in response to a request from the image forming device 20. The user management unit 117 manages device configuration information indicating the presence or absence of another authentication means (such as IC card authentication) as device information. The usage history unit 118 manages the usage status such as the number of registered users, the number of jobs, and the number of devices as a usage history.

  The application distribution unit 116 distributes Web content of device application information 132 displayed and executed on the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 20. For example, the application distribution unit 116 returns a screen based on the screen definition included in the device application information 132 in response to a request from the browser 51. As a result, a screen for using the service provided by the service providing system 10 is displayed on the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 20.

  The print data file storage unit 106 stores a print data file 131. The device application information storage unit 107 stores device application information 132. The device application information 132 describes the definition of a screen layout described in HTML, CSS, and the like, and processing contents indicating an example of processing for realizing a service. The processing content of the device application information 132 includes a print job processing unit. The print job processing unit executes a print job by issuing a print command.

  The terminal device 30 is equipped with an external application 31. The external application 31 uses the API of the input / output service processing unit 103 to request the service providing system 10 to print a document.

<Details of processing>
Next, details of processing of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

《Print command input》
In order to perform printing in the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, first, a workflow including a print command is executed from the external application 31 of the terminal device 30 and a print command is input to the service providing system 10. Thereafter, in the information processing system 1, the image forming apparatus 20 acquires a print command from the service providing system 10 and executes printing.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a print command input process. In step S <b> 11, the external application 31 inputs a job execution request shown in FIG. 6 to the service providing system 10. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an example of a job execution request input to the service providing system.

  The job execution request in FIG. 6 is sent in the format of multipart / formdata in order to send the flow setting, parameters, and file to be printed at the same time. In the job execution request of FIG. 6, JSON-format flow settings and parameters are described in the first part, and file data is described in the next part. If the job execution request does not include a file, the flow settings and parameters may be transmitted in the application / json format.

  The flow setting of the job execution request in FIG. 6 is expressed as an array of objects having fields of component, params, and next. component is the name of the component. The name of the print conversion component 121 is “print_convert” in the job execution request of FIG. The name of the authentication component 122 is “auth” in the job execution request of FIG.

  The name of the file input component 123 is “file_input” in the job execution request of FIG. The name of the print command component 124 is “print_command” in the job execution request of FIG.

  params is a parameter setting for a component, and varies depending on the component. For example, in FIG. 6, the user name (username) and password (password) used for user login are set as parameters for the authentication component 122. In FIG. 6, a file name (name) is set as a parameter for the file input component 123. In FIG. 6, PDL type and print setting parameters are set as parameters for the print conversion component 121.

  The PDL type (pdl) indicates the type of print data format. The print setting parameters include the number of copies (copy), color / monochrome setting (colormode), paper size (papersize), duplex setting (2sided), and aggregation setting (layout).

  In FIG. 6, the description (description) of the print command to be displayed on the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 20 and the job execution request input date (created_at) are set as parameters for the print command component 124.

  Next is the name of the component to be processed next. The processing result is passed to the component to be processed next. That is, the parameters specified by the job execution request at the time of executing the process and the processing result of the component that has been processed before are passed to each component.

  For example, when the flow based on the job execution request in FIG. 6 is executed, the data flow between the components is as shown in FIG. 7, for example. FIG. 7 is an example data flow diagram between components.

  The flow control unit 113 constructs a dependency relationship between components by referring to the next of the flow setting of the job execution request in FIG. Then, the flow control unit 113 passes the parameter setting of the job execution request and the processing result of the previously processed component, and executes the components one after another.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, components having no dependency relationship can be executed in parallel. In the example of FIG. 7, the authentication component 122 is executed in parallel with the file input component 123 and the print conversion component 121.

  In the case of the job execution request in FIG. 6, the flow control unit 113 executes processing in the order of the authentication component 122, the file input component 123, the print conversion component 121, and the print command component 124, for example, as shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 5.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the flow control unit 113 reads the user name and password used for user login for parameter setting of the authentication component 122 described in the job execution request of FIG. 6. In step S12, the flow control unit 113 passes the user name and password used for user login to the authentication component 122 to instruct execution.

  In step S13, the authentication component 122 specifies a user name and password used for user login, and requests the authentication management unit 104 for user authentication. If the authentication is successful, the authentication management unit 104 returns authentication information to the authentication component 122. Note that the authentication information includes a user name and an authentication token. Then, the authentication information is returned from the authentication component 122 to the flow control unit 113.

  The flow control unit 113 reads a file to be printed from the job execution request based on the file name of the parameter setting of the file input component 123 described in the job execution request of FIG. In step S14, the flow control unit 113 passes the file to be printed to the file input component 123 to instruct execution. In step S 15, the file input component 123 temporarily stores the received file, and returns the file path to the flow control unit 113.

  Subsequently, the flow control unit 113 reads the PDL type and print setting of the parameter setting of the print conversion component 121 described in the job execution request of FIG. In step S 16, the flow control unit 113 passes the PDL type and print setting of the parameter setting of the print conversion component 121 and the file path that is the processing result of the file input component 123 to the print conversion component 121 to instruct execution.

  In step S 17, the print conversion component 121 passes the PDL type and print setting of the parameter settings of the print conversion component 121 and the file path that is the processing result of the file input component 123 to the print conversion unit 111 and instructs conversion. .

  In step S18, the print conversion unit 111 acquires a file temporarily stored using the file path. Then, the print conversion unit 111 converts the acquired file into print data based on the print settings. In step S19, the print conversion unit 111 temporarily stores the converted print data. In step S 20, the print conversion unit 111 returns the file path of the print data and the PDL type to the flow control unit 113.

  Subsequently, the flow control unit 113 reads the parameter setting of the print command component 124 described in the job execution request of FIG. In step S 21, the flow control unit 113 passes the read parameter setting, the processing result of the authentication component 122, and the processing result of the print conversion component 121 to the print command component 124 to instruct execution. Note that the processing result of the authentication component 122 is authentication information. The processing result of the print conversion component 121 is the print data file path and PDL type.

  In step S22, the print command component 124 designates the authentication information passed from the flow control unit 113 and the file path of the print data, and instructs the data management unit 112 to save the print data. The data management unit 112 issues a storage destination URL indicating the storage location of the print data and returns it to the print command component 124. Thereby, in the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, the print data can be accessed from the outside of the service providing system 10 with the authority of the user.

  In step S23, the print command component 124 requests the authentication management unit 104 to issue a temporary code. In step S23-1, the authentication management unit 104 issues a temporary code as will be described later. This temporary code is used when printing is executed by inputting a temporary code from the image forming apparatus 20 instead of user login. For example, the temporary code is disabled after a predetermined time.

  In step S24, the print command component 124 designates the temporary code, the authentication information, and the print command data shown in FIG. 8, and instructs the command distribution unit 115 to issue the print command. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an example of print command data registered in the command distribution unit.

  description and created_at are included in the parameter settings of the print command component 124. pdl is included in the processing result of the print conversion component 121. “filel” is a save destination URL. “type” is information added to indicate a print command.

  The command distribution unit 115 queues the received print command data, and returns the print command data to the image forming device 20 in response to a request from the image forming device 20. The command distribution unit 115 processes and stores the received print command data as shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example of processed print command data.

  id is an example of identification information for uniquely identifying an instruction. updated_at is the date and time when the state of the print command was last changed. The initial value of updated_at is the same as created_at. status is the status of the print command. The initial value of status is “created”. The status change of the subsequent status print command will be described later.

  The command distribution unit 115 manages the processed print command data in association with the authentication information and the temporary code as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a storage format of print command data. As shown in FIG. 10, each print command data is uniquely associated with a temporary code. Each print command data and user ID are associated with each other n: 1. With the association shown in FIG. 10, the command distribution unit 115 can uniquely retrieve print command data corresponding to the temporary code, or retrieve a list of print command data corresponding to the user ID.

  In step S 25, the print command component 124 returns a temporary code to the flow control unit 113. When the execution of all components is completed, the flow control unit 113 returns a temporary code, which is the execution result of the print command component 124 that is the last component, to the external application 31 of the terminal device 30. In step S26, the external application 31 presents the temporary code to the user by some means (for example, display).

  FIG. 11 is a screen transition diagram of an example of an external application. The user transitions from the top screen 1000 to the document selection screen 1001 and selects a document to be printed from the document selection screen 1001. The user also selects print settings from the top screen 1000.

  When the user presses the OK button on the top screen 1000, the external application 31 inputs the job execution request shown in FIG. 6 to the service providing system 10 by the process of step S11 of FIG.

  For example, the document selected from the document selection screen 1001 becomes the file name (name) of the parameter setting of the file input component 123. Further, the print setting selected from the document selection screen 1001 becomes the print setting of the parameter setting of the print conversion component 121. When the temporary code is returned as a response from the service providing system 10, the external application 31 displays the temporary code on the result screen 1002. The result screen 1002 displays a message prompting the user that the document to be printed can be printed by inputting the temporary code to the image forming apparatus 20.

<Print execution>
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining content distribution from the service providing system to the image forming apparatus. The browser 51 mounted on the image forming apparatus 20 holds the URL of the application distribution unit 116 of the service providing system 10 as a default URL. When the browser 51 is activated, it makes a download request for the device application information 132 to the application distribution unit 116.

  The device application information 132 includes a screen definition written in HTML or CSS, and contents such as a print job processing unit written in a script language such as Javascript (registered trademark). The downloaded device application information 132 is executed / displayed on the browser 51 on the image forming apparatus 20. Further, the application distribution unit 116 of the service providing system 10 corresponds to an application cache. Therefore, the re-downloading of the device application information 132 downloaded to the image forming apparatus 20 does not occur until the device application information 132 is updated.

  The information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment is configured such that the device application information 132 arranged on the service providing system 10 is downloaded and displayed / executed by the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 20. The information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment may be configured such that a device application is arranged in a local storage on the image forming apparatus 20 and the device application uses an API of each service.

  FIG. 13 is a transition diagram of an example of a UI displayed on the browser of the image forming apparatus. The UI shown in FIG. 13 is displayed based on the screen definition of the device application information 132. The top screen 1501 is provided with an “execute with temporary code” button 1511. When the “execute with temporary code” button 1511 is pressed by the user, the browser 51 displays a temporary code screen 1502.

  The temporary code screen 1502 has a field for inputting a temporary code. The user inputs the temporary code displayed on the result screen 1002 of FIG. 11 into the temporary code screen 1502 and presses the OK button. If the temporary code is correct, the image forming apparatus 20 displays a printing screen 1503 and executes printing according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of printing by temporary code input. In step S31, the user inputs a temporary code on the temporary code screen 1502 displayed on the browser 51, and presses an OK button.

  In step S32, the browser 51 requests the print job processing unit 52 executed on the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 20 to execute a job using a temporary code. In step S33, the print job processing unit 52 designates a temporary code and requests the command distribution unit 115 of the service providing system 10 to acquire the command.

  In step S34, the instruction distribution unit 115 requests the authentication management unit 104 to verify whether the temporary code is valid. Here, it is assumed that the temporary code is valid. If the temporary code is valid, the command distribution unit 115 returns the print command data of FIG. 9 stored in association with the temporary code to the print job processing unit 52 in step S35.

  Since the print job processing unit 52 starts a print job, it is necessary to change the status (status) of the print command data to “processing” as shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of print command data whose status has been changed during processing. In the print command data shown in FIG. 15, “status” is changed to “processing”, and “updated_at” is changed to the time at that time.

  In step S36, the print job processing unit 52 requests the command distribution unit 115 to change the command status during processing in order to change the status of the print command data during processing as shown in FIG. In step S37, the instruction distribution unit 115 that has received a request to change the instruction state during processing requests the data management unit 112 to issue an access token by designating a storage destination URL for print data.

  The access token can be temporarily used, and is necessary for accessing the print data of the storage destination URL. The access token is valid for the print data of the storage destination URL, and becomes invalid after a certain period of time. The data management unit 112 returns the issued access token to the instruction distribution unit 115.

  In step S38, the command distribution unit 115 returns to the print job processing unit 52 the print command data as shown in FIG. 16 in which the access token is included in the print command data as shown in FIG. . FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of an example of print command data including an access token. In the print command data of FIG. 16, an access token (accessToken) is added to the field.

  In step S39, the print job processing unit 52 designates a print data storage destination URL and an access token, and issues a file acquisition request to the data management unit 112. If the access token is valid, the data management unit 112 returns the print data of the storage destination URL to the print job processing unit 52.

  In step S40, the print job processing unit 52 inputs print data to the controller 21 and executes printing. In step S41, the print job processing unit 52 requests the command distribution unit 115 to change the command status to completion in order to change the status of the print command data as shown in FIG. The command distribution unit 115 determines that the processing of the print command data has been completed in response to a request to change the command state to completion.

  Upon receiving the request for changing the command state to completion, the command distribution unit 115 changes the status of the print command data shown in FIG. 16 to “completed” as shown in FIG. 17 and changes updated_at to the time at that time. To do. The command distribution unit 115 returns to the print job processing unit 52 the print command data as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a state transition diagram of print command data. The state of the print command data immediately after being input to the command distribution unit 115 is “created” as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the state of the print command data is changed to “processing” like the print command data shown in FIG. 15 when the job execution is started.

  If the job is completed normally, the state of the print command data is changed to completed as shown in the print command data shown in FIG. When an interruption due to an error that cannot be continued occurs in the image forming apparatus 20 that is executing a job, or when a cancellation occurs by the user, the print job processing unit 52 changes the state of the print command data to “cancelled”. The print command data whose state is being interrupted can be transferred to processing again.

  In addition, it is possible to delete print command data whose status has been generated or suspended. For example, deletion of print command data whose status has been generated or is interrupted can be executed by providing a delete button in the list of the command selection screen 1601 as shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is an image diagram of an example of an instruction selection screen capable of deleting print instruction data.

  Note that the print command data that can be acquired from the command distribution unit 115 by the print job processing unit 52 is the print command data that has been generated or is being interrupted, so that the print command data that is already being processed is another image forming apparatus 20. Can be prevented from being processed at the same time. In addition, the print command data that can be acquired from the command distribution unit 115 by the print job processing unit 52 is the print command data whose state has been generated or suspended, so that the print command data whose state has been completed or deleted is processed again. Can be prevented. The status of the print command data can also be used for managing the usage log on the service providing system 10 side.

《Issuance of temporary code》
In step S23-1 of FIG. 5, the authentication management unit 104 performs the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 20, and dynamically sets the security policy set in advance, the number of digits of the temporary code issued from the device information and the usage history. select.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of determining the number of digits of a temporary code to be issued. In step S51, the authentication management unit 104 refers to the device information shown in FIG. 21 managed by the user management unit 117, and determines whether there is an external authentication device. FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram of an example of device information. The device information in FIG. 21 indicates the presence / absence of an external authentication device for each device in the group.

  If it is determined in step S51 that there is an external authentication device, the authentication management unit 104 refers to the usage history as shown in FIG. 22 managed by the usage history unit 118 and confirms the usage status. FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram of an example of the usage history. For example, the usage history in FIG. 22 represents the number of registered accounts, the number of jobs, and the number of devices for each group. If it is determined in step S51 that there is no external authentication device, the authentication management unit 104 skips the process in step S52.

  In step S53, the authentication management unit 104 refers to the security policy as shown in FIG. 23 and determines the policy. FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of an example of a security policy. In the security policy of FIG. 23, the number of digits of a temporary code is set as a policy in association with information on the presence / absence of an external authentication device, a value obtained by multiplying the number of registered users (number of registered accounts) and the number of jobs.

  For example, if it is determined in step S51 that there is an external authentication device, and it is determined in step S52 that the usage status confirmed is “the number of registered users × the number of jobs is 9 to the 10th power” or more, the authentication management unit 104 stores the temporary code. Is determined to be “10 or more digits, alphanumeric”.

  If it is determined in step S51 that there is an external authentication device, and it is determined that the usage status confirmed in step S52 is “the number of registered users × the number of jobs is 9 6 or more and less than 9 10,” The authentication management unit 104 determines that the number of digits of the temporary code is “6 to 10 digits, numbers”.

  Further, if it is determined in step S51 that there is no external authentication device or the usage status confirmed in step S52 is determined to be “the number of registered users × the number of jobs is less than 9 6”, the authentication management unit 104 Determines the number of digits of the temporary code as “2-6 digits, numbers”.

  In this way, the authentication management unit 104 can dynamically select the number of digits of the temporary code based on the group device information and the usage history. When the flowchart of FIG. 20 is executed for the device information of FIG. 21 and the usage history group of FIG. 22, the number of digits of the temporary code of each group is as shown in FIG. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of an example showing the number of digits of the temporarily selected temporary code.

  In step S23-1 of FIG. 5, the authentication management unit 104 performs the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 26, and the concept of the security policy is defined in advance, and the number of digits of the temporary code issued from the device information and usage history is changed. To choose.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart of an example for determining the number of digits of the temporary code to be issued. In step S61, the authentication management unit 104 checks the security policy as shown in FIG. FIG. 26 is a configuration diagram of an example of a security policy. For example, in the security policy of FIG. 26, a combination of “considering” or “not considering” of the presence / absence of the external authentication device and the usage status is set in association with the group.

  In step S62, the authentication management unit 104 refers to the device information as illustrated in FIG. 21 managed by the user management unit 117, and determines whether there is an external authentication device. In step S63, the authentication management unit 104 refers to the usage history as shown in FIG. 22 managed by the usage history unit 118 and confirms the usage status.

  In step S64, the authentication management unit 104 refers to the concept of the security policy in FIG. 27 and determines the policy. FIG. 27 is a configuration diagram of an example of the concept of a predefined security policy.

  In FIG. 27, a formula for calculating the number of digits of the temporary code from the number of registered users and the number of jobs is set in association with the combination of “considering” or “not considering” of the presence / absence of the external authentication device and the usage status. Yes. The authentication management unit 104 determines the number of digits of the temporary code from the number of registered users and the number of jobs in FIG. 27 based on the combination of “considering” or “not considering” the presence / absence of the external authentication device in the group and the usage status confirmed in step S61. Choose a formula to calculate. The authentication management unit 104 can calculate the number of digits of the temporary code based on the selected mathematical formula and the number of registered users and the number of jobs confirmed in step S63.

  In the case of the group with the group ID “G0071001” in FIG. 26, the number of digits of the temporary code is set to “(number of registered users × number of registered users × based on the combination of“ external authentication device: consider and use status: consider ”” in FIG. (Number of jobs) × 10 ”.

<Summary>
As described above, in the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, the print command component 124 that issues the print command to the image forming apparatus 20 is added to the service providing system 10 that can configure the document workflow by linking components. Yes.

  The print command data input through the API of the service providing system 10 is stored in the service providing system 10 in association with the temporary code. The image forming apparatus 20 designates a temporary code from the service providing system 10 to acquire print command data, and prints the print data to be output according to the print command data.

  The number of digits of the issued temporary code is dynamically selected from the security policy, device information, and usage history. Therefore, in the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a cloud print service without sacrificing user convenience and ensuring security.

[Second Embodiment]
Since the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for a part thereof, the description of overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate.

<System configuration>
FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to the second embodiment. The information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes a service providing environment E1, a user environment E2, and an external storage system 40, and is connected to be communicable via a wide area network N1 such as the Internet.

  The service providing environment E1 includes a service providing system 10 that is realized by one or more information processing apparatuses. The service providing system 10 provides a predetermined service via the network N1. For example, the service providing system 10 provides a service (scan delivery service) for storing an electronic file generated by scanning a document in the image forming apparatus 20 of the user environment E2 in the external storage system 40. In the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment, the service providing system 10 will be described as providing such a scan distribution service.

  The user environment E2 is a system environment of a company or the like that is a user who uses the image forming apparatus 20, for example. In the user environment E2, the image forming apparatus 20 and the terminal device 30 are connected via a network N2 such as a LAN. The image forming apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment is an apparatus having a scan function. Note that the image forming apparatus 20 may be an electronic device such as a multifunction machine having a print function, a copy function, a fax (FAX) communication function, and the like in addition to the scan function. The terminal device 30 according to the second embodiment is a device that can be operated by the user, such as a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet PC on which a general OS is installed.

  The external storage system 40 is a computer system that provides a cloud service called a storage service (or online storage) via the network N1. The storage service is a service that lends the storage area of the storage of the external storage system 40.

  In the second embodiment, in the scan distribution service, the scanned electronic file is stored (uploaded) in a storage area lent by the external storage system 40. The external storage system 40 may be a system realized by a plurality of information processing apparatuses.

  The configuration of the information processing system 1 in FIG. 28 is an example, and may be another configuration. For example, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 20 may be provided. Further, the terminal device 30 may be connected to the network N1.

<Software configuration>
The information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment can be realized by a processing block as shown in FIG. 29, for example. FIG. 29 is a processing block diagram of an example of an information processing system according to the second embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is equipped with a browser 51. A user of the image forming apparatus 20 can use a service provided by the service providing system 10 via the browser 51. As described above, the image forming apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment only needs to include the browser 51. The browser 51 can access the service providing system 10 and display Web content acquired from the service providing system 10.

  The service providing system 10 is a system environment that provides a service such as a cloud service via the network N1. The service providing system 10 includes a file service unit 102, an input / output service processing unit 103, an authentication management unit 104, a device service unit 105, a device application information storage unit 107, and a scan file storage unit 108.

  The device application information storage unit 107 and the scan file storage unit 108 may be realized by a storage device connected to the service providing system 10 via the network N1.

  The file service unit 102 has a data management unit 112. The data management unit 112 manages the scan file 133 and issues and verifies a file token. The input / output service processing unit 103 includes a flow control unit 113 and a component group 114.

  For example, a series of processes describing a business flow, such as storing a file in the external storage system 40 after scanning with a PIN code, is registered in the flow control unit 113 from the external application 31. The flow control unit 113 creates a job based on the flow parameters, and calls each component from the component group 114.

  Here, the component is a module or the like for executing various processes, and is defined by a class or a function, for example. For example, the scan component 126 issues a scan command. The file input component 123 acquires the file saved by the scan command and passes it to the next component. The distribution component 125 stores the file in the external storage system 40. The authentication management unit 104 issues and verifies application tokens and PIN codes. The authentication management unit 104 manages security policies.

  The device service unit 105 includes an instruction distribution unit 115, an application distribution unit 116, a user management unit 117, and a usage history unit 118. The command distribution unit 115 processes the scan command issued from the scan component 126. If the scan uses a PIN code, the command distribution unit 115 requests the authentication management unit 104 to issue a PIN code, which is an example of a temporary code, and acquires the PIN code. The user management unit 117 manages device configuration information indicating the presence or absence of another authentication means as device information. The usage history unit 118 manages the usage status such as the number of registered users, the number of jobs, and the number of devices as a usage history.

  The application distribution unit 116 distributes Web content of device application information displayed and executed on the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 20. For example, the application distribution unit 116 returns a screen based on the screen definition included in the device application information 132 in response to a request from the browser 51. As a result, a screen for using the service provided by the service providing system 10 is displayed on the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 20.

  The scan file storage unit 108 stores a scan file 133. The device application information storage unit 107 stores device application information 132. The device application information 132 describes a screen layout definition described in HTML, CSS, and the like, and processing contents indicating an example of processing for realizing a service.

  The terminal device 30 is equipped with an external application 31. The external application 31 uses the API of the input / output service processing unit 103 to provide a cloud service, a mobile application, and the like to the user. The external storage system 40 is a system environment that lends a storage area of a storage to a user and saves a scan file or the like in the storage area.

<Details of processing>
Next, details of processing of the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described.

<Overall processing of scan delivery service>
30 and 31 are sequence diagrams illustrating an example of scan delivery processing performed using a PIN code. 30 and 31, a series of flows for storing a scan file scanned using a PIN code in the external storage system 40 will be described.

  In step S <b> 111, the user requests application registration on the external application 31 of the terminal device 30. FIG. 38 is a screen transition diagram of an example when registering an application in an external application. The user inputs pre-registered user authentication information such as a user name and password on the application registration screen 2000 and then presses a “login and application registration” button.

  In step S112, the external application 31 requests user authentication from the authentication management unit 104 of the service providing system 10. If the user authentication is successful, the authentication management unit 104 issues an application token and returns it to the external application 31. The external application 31 displays an application registration completion screen 2001 and notifies the user of the completion of application registration. Application registration is required at the first use.

  In step S113, the user instructs the external application 31 to start the flow of scan to external storage. Note that the user can instruct the external application 31 to start the scan-to-external storage flow from the scan job registration screen 2010 shown in FIG. 39, for example.

  FIG. 39 is a screen transition diagram of an example when registering a scan job in an external application. The user can instruct the external application 31 to start the flow of the scan-to-external storage by pressing the scan start button after performing scan setting and saving destination selection from the scan job registration screen 2010 of FIG.

  The external application 31 instructed to start the scan-to-external storage flow displays the scan job registration screen 2011 of FIG. In FIG. 39, the flow of scan-to-external storage is called a scan job for easy understanding to the user.

  In step S114, the external application 31 requests the flow control unit 113 to specify flow parameters having the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a flow parameter. FIG. 33 includes an application token and flow parameters “flow 1” to “flow 3”.

  “Flow 1” is a flow parameter of scanning. Therefore, the “flow 1 parameter” in FIG. 33 includes parameters such as resolution, document type, and file format as an example.

  “Flow 2” is a file input flow parameter. Therefore, the “flow 2 parameter” in FIG. 33 includes parameters such as a scan upload destination and a file token as an example.

  “Flow 3” is a flow parameter of distribution. Therefore, the “flow 3 parameter” in FIG. 33 includes parameters such as a distribution source URL and a distribution destination URL as an example. In FIG. 33, information included in each parameter is represented by <parameter name>: <value>.

  The flow control unit 113 of the service providing system 10 that has received the flow registration request specifying the flow parameter of FIG. 33 from the external application 31 creates a job for each flow shown in FIG.

  FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of an example of job parameters. “Job parameter 1” in FIG. 34 is created for “Flow 1” in FIG. Also, “Job Parameter 2” in FIG. 34 is created for “Flow 2” in FIG. “Job parameter 3” in FIG. 34 is created for “Flow 3” in FIG.

  In step S115, the flow control unit 113 executes the scan flow according to the “job 1 parameter” in FIG. In step S 116, the flow control unit 113 specifies “job 1 parameter” and requests the scan component 126 to execute scan.

  The scan component 126 requested to execute the scan creates a command parameter shown in FIG. 35 from the “job 1 parameter”. FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of an example of command parameters. The command parameters in FIG. 35 are created from the “job 1 parameter” in FIG.

  In step S117, the scan component 126 transmits a command to the command distribution unit 115 by designating the command parameter shown in FIG. 35 and the application token included in the “job 1 parameter” shown in FIG. In step S118, the instruction distribution unit 115 requests the authentication management unit 104 to issue a PIN code by using an application token that is an argument of command transmission in step S117. In step S118-1, the authentication management unit 104 issues a PIN code as will be described later.

  In step S119, the command distribution unit 115 associates the command parameter with the PIN code and stores them in a table as shown in FIG. FIG. 37 is a configuration diagram of an example of a table that associates command parameters with PIN codes. As shown in FIG. 37, the command parameters are described according to a predetermined format (for example, JSON format).

  In step S120, the instruction distribution unit 115 returns the PIN code associated with the command parameter of FIG. Thereafter, the PIN code is returned to the external application 31 via the flow control unit 113. When the external application 31 returns the PIN code, for example, the scan job registration success screen 2012 of FIG. 39 is displayed. The scan job registration success screen 2012 displays the PIN code returned from the service providing system 10 side. Therefore, the user operating the terminal device 30 can know the PIN code associated with the command parameter of FIG.

  In step S121, the user activates the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 20. It is assumed that the browser 51 holds the URL of the application distribution unit 116 of the service providing system 10 as a default URL. When the browser 51 is activated, it acquires device application information 132 from the application distribution unit 116 in step S122. The acquired device application information 132 is executed / displayed on the browser 51 on the image forming apparatus 20.

  In step S123, the browser 51 displays the initial screen 2020 in FIG. FIG. 40 is a screen transition diagram of an example when a scan job is executed in the browser. The screen shown in FIG. 40 is displayed based on the screen definition of the device application information 132. In the initial screen 2020 of FIG. 40, an “execute with PIN code” button is provided. When the “execute with PIN code” button is pressed by the user, the browser 51 displays the PIN code screen 2021 of FIG.

  The PIN code screen 2021 has a column for inputting a PIN code. In step S124, the user inputs the PIN code displayed on the scan job registration success screen 2012 in FIG. 39 to the PIN code screen 2021, and presses an OK button. In step S125, the browser 51 starts job execution using a PIN code.

  In step S126, the browser 51 specifies a PIN code and requests the command distribution unit 115 to obtain a command. The command distribution unit 115 requests the authentication management unit 104 to verify the PIN code. If the PIN code requested for verification is correct, the authentication management unit 104 returns permission to the command distribution unit 115.

  The instruction distribution unit 115 that has returned the permission proceeds to step S128, acquires the command parameter associated with the PIN code from the table of FIG. 37, and returns it to the browser 51. In step S129, the browser 51 determines the command type. The browser 51 proceeds to step S130, designates the command ID included in the command parameter, and requests the command distribution unit 115 to start the command.

  In step S131, the command distribution unit 115 acquires the file parameters shown in FIG. FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a file parameter. The file parameter shown in FIG. 36 includes a scan upload destination URL and a file token. In step S132, the command distribution unit 115 returns the file parameter to the browser 51.

  In step S133, the browser 51 executes a scan according to the “flow 1 parameter” included in the command parameter of FIG. In step S134, the browser 51 requests the data management unit 112 to save the scan file by specifying the file parameter shown in FIG. When the storage of the scan file is completed, the data management unit 112 notifies the browser 51 of completion.

  In step S135, the browser 51 designates a command ID to the command distribution unit 115 and notifies the command completion. In step S136, the instruction distribution unit 115 requests the flow control unit 113 to execute the flow by designating the “job 2 parameter” included in the command parameter.

  In step S136, the scan upload destination URL and file token of “Flow 2 parameter” included in “Job 2 parameter” are filled with the contents of the file parameter in FIG. In step S 137, the flow control unit 113 designates “job 2 parameter” in the file input component 123 and requests execution of file input.

  In step S138, the file input component 123 specifies a scan upload destination URL, requests the data management unit 112 to acquire a file, and acquires a file token from the data management unit 112. The file input component 123 returns “job 2 parameter” in which the file token of “flow 2 parameter” is filled to the flow control unit 113.

  In step S139, the flow control unit 113 fills the distribution URL of the “job 3 parameter” and the file token, and executes the distribution flow using the “job 3 parameter” in FIG. In step S140, the flow control unit 113 specifies “job 3 parameter” and requests the distribution component 125 to execute distribution.

  In step S141, the distribution component 125 acquires a scan file from the distribution source URL by using the “job 3 parameter” file token, and stores it in the external storage system 40 that is the distribution destination URL. The distribution component 125 returns the completion notification returned from the external storage system 40 to the flow control unit 113.

  Thereafter, in step S143, the user instructs acquisition of a scan file image by operating the screen of the external application 31. In step S144, the external application 31 acquires a scan file image from the external storage system 40 and displays it.

  The relationship among the flow parameters, job parameters, and command parameters handled in the sequence diagrams shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 is as shown in FIG. FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between various parameters.

  The flow parameters have “flow 1 parameter”, “flow 2 parameter”, and “flow 3 parameter”. “Job 1 parameter” has “flow 1 parameter” and “job 2 parameter”. “Job 2 parameter” has “flow 2 parameter”. “Job 3 parameter” has “flow 3 parameter”. “Command parameter” has “flow 1 parameter” and “job 2 parameter”.

《Issuance of temporary code》
In step S118-1 of FIG. 30, the authentication management unit 104 performs the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 20 described above, and changes the preset security policy and the number of digits of the temporary code issued from the device information and usage history. May be selected. In this way, the authentication management unit 104 can dynamically select the number of digits of the temporary code based on the group device information and the usage history.

  In step S118-1 of FIG. 30, the authentication management unit 104 performs the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 26, and the security policy concept is defined in advance. The number of digits of the temporary code issued from the device information and usage history May be selected dynamically.

  As described above, the authentication management unit 104 calculates the number of digits of the temporary code from the number of registered users and the number of jobs in FIG. 27 based on the combination of “considering” or “not considering” the presence / absence of the external authentication device in the group and the usage status. You can choose a formula to do. The authentication management unit 104 can calculate the number of digits of the temporary code based on the selected mathematical formula and the number of registered users and the number of jobs confirmed in step S63.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment, if the user inputs a PIN code in the image forming apparatus 20, it is not necessary to perform scan setting on the image forming apparatus 20 side. Can save time and effort for scanning. The number of digits of the issued temporary code is dynamically selected from the security policy, device information, and usage history. Therefore, in the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a scan distribution service while maintaining the security without impairing the user-friendliness.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. In this embodiment, the “temporary code digit number” may be expressed as “the number of temporary codes that can be issued uniquely by the temporary code digit number”. The component group 114 is an example of a plurality of processing means. The flow control unit 113 is an example of a flow control unit. The command distribution unit 115 is an example of a print command distribution unit. The print command component 124 is an example of a print command means. The authentication management unit 104 is an example of an authentication management unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 10 Service provision system 20 Image forming apparatus 30 Terminal apparatus 40 External storage system 31 External application 51 Browser 52 Print job processing part 101 Document service part 102 File service part 103 Input / output service processing part 104 Authentication management part 105 Device service Unit 106 print data file storage unit 107 device application information storage unit 108 scan file storage unit 111 print conversion unit 112 data management unit 113 flow control unit 114 component group 115 command distribution unit 116 application distribution unit 117 user management unit 118 usage history unit 121 Print Conversion Component 122 Authentication Component 123 File Input Component 124 Print Command Component 125 Distribution Component Component 126 scanning component 131 print data file 132 device application information 133 scan file N1, N2 Network

Japanese Patent No. 3826105

Claims (9)

A service providing system that provides a service for performing a series of processes for printing in cooperation with an image forming apparatus,
A plurality of processing means for performing a series of processes for printing performed in the image forming apparatus;
An execution request for printing performed in the image forming apparatus is received from the terminal device, and the processing units are assigned to the plurality of processing units based on a flow setting and parameter setting of a series of processes for printing included in the execution request for printing. Flow control means for issuing a print command to be provided to the image forming apparatus;
Print command distribution means for distributing the print command to the image forming apparatus based on a print command acquisition request from the image forming apparatus;
An authentication management means for issuing unique code information of a dynamically selected number of digits;
Have
The service providing system, wherein the plurality of processing units include a print command unit that issues the print command and causes the print command distribution unit to store the issued print command. The authentication management unit is issued by a request from the print command unit based on policy information in which the number of digits of the code information is set in association with information indicating the presence / absence of another authentication unit and information indicating the usage status 2. The service providing system according to claim 1, wherein the number of digits of the code information to be selected is selected. From the information indicating the usage status, the authentication management means is set in association with a combination of information indicating whether or not to consider information indicating the presence or absence of another authentication means and information indicating the usage status. 2. The formula for calculating the number of digits of the code information is selected, and the number of digits of the code information to be issued is selected by a request from the print command means using the selected formula. Service provision system. 4. The service providing system according to claim 2, wherein the information indicating the usage status is the number of registered users and the number of jobs. The print command means returns the code information issued by the authentication management means to the terminal device that has received the print execution request, and associates the print command with the code information to the print command distribution means. Let me save
The print command distribution unit distributes the print command associated with the code information to the image forming apparatus based on the print command acquisition request specifying the code information from the image forming apparatus. The service providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the service providing system is characterized in that: An information processing apparatus that provides a service for performing a series of processes for printing in cooperation with an image forming apparatus,
A plurality of processing means for performing a series of processes for printing performed in the image forming apparatus;
An execution request for printing performed in the image forming apparatus is received from the terminal device, and the processing units are assigned to the plurality of processing units based on a flow setting and parameter setting of a series of processes for printing included in the execution request for printing. Flow control means for issuing a print command to be provided to the image forming apparatus;
Print command distribution means for distributing the print command to the image forming apparatus based on a print command acquisition request from the image forming apparatus;
An authentication management means for issuing unique code information of a dynamically selected number of digits;
Have
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processing units include a print command unit that issues the print command and causes the print command distribution unit to store the issued print command. An information processing apparatus that provides a service for performing a series of processes for printing in cooperation with an image forming apparatus,
A plurality of processing means for performing a series of processes for printing performed in the image forming apparatus;
An execution request for printing performed in the image forming apparatus is received from the terminal device, and the processing units are assigned to the plurality of processing units based on a flow setting and parameter setting of a series of processes for printing included in the execution request for printing. Flow control means for issuing a print command to be provided to the image forming apparatus;
Print command distribution means for distributing the print command to the image forming apparatus based on a print command acquisition request from the image forming apparatus;
Authentication management means for issuing unique code information of dynamically selected digits,
Function as
The program, wherein the plurality of processing units include a print command unit that issues the print command and causes the print command distribution unit to store the issued print command. An information processing system comprising: an image forming apparatus; and a service providing system that provides a service for performing a series of processes for printing in cooperation with the image forming apparatus,
A plurality of processing means for performing a series of processes for printing performed in the image forming apparatus;
An execution request for printing performed in the image forming apparatus is received from the terminal device, and the processing units are assigned to the plurality of processing units based on a flow setting and parameter setting of a series of processes for printing included in the execution request for printing. Flow control means for issuing a print command to be provided to the image forming apparatus;
Print command distribution means for distributing the print command to the image forming apparatus based on a print command acquisition request from the image forming apparatus;
An authentication management means for issuing unique code information of a dynamically selected number of digits;
Have
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processing units include a print command unit that issues the print command and causes the print command distribution unit to store the issued print command. A cooperative processing method executed in a service providing system that provides a service for performing a series of processing for printing in cooperation with an image forming apparatus,
A print execution request received in the image forming apparatus from a terminal device is received, and a print executed in the image forming apparatus based on a flow setting and parameter setting of a series of processes for the printing included in the print execution request A flow control step for causing a plurality of processing means for performing a series of processes for the image forming apparatus to issue a print command to be provided;
A print command distribution step in which a print command distribution unit distributes the print command to the image forming apparatus based on a print command acquisition request from the image forming apparatus;
A issuing step for issuing unique code information for a dynamically selected number of digits;
Have
The linkage processing method, wherein the plurality of processing means includes a print command means for issuing the print command and causing the print command distribution means to store the issued print command.

Images