JP5063718B2 - Image forming apparatus and network system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a network system , and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and a network system that manage user information stored in one or more storage units from an external management apparatus connected via a network .

  In recent years, there has been known an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a multifunction peripheral) in which the functions of each apparatus such as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner are housed in one casing. This multi-function apparatus is provided with a display unit, a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like in one casing, and four types of software corresponding to a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner, respectively. Operates as a copy, facsimile and scanner.

  Such a fusion machine is connected to another fusion machine, a computer, or the like via a network, and distributes image information, for example, using a distribution function. A multi-function peripheral having a distribution function has, for example, distribution destination information and usage restriction / billing information as user information.

  The distribution destination information manages distribution destinations and senders. The distribution destination information has a low update frequency and is relatively easy to back up. In addition, since the distribution destination information is not limited to users who use the multi-function peripheral, the number of users that need to be managed increases.

  On the other hand, the usage restriction / billing information is used to manage the availability of various functions and the number of usable functions. The usage restriction / billing information is updated each time the device is used, so the update frequency is high and backup is difficult. In addition, since the usage restriction / billing information is limited to users who need to manage the MFP, the number of users that need to be managed is reduced.

  As described above, the distribution destination information and the usage restriction / billing information are different in conditions required for the storage device as the storage means because there is a difference in the ease of backup and the number of users that need to be managed. For example, distribution destination information requires a large-capacity storage device at the expense of speed and reliability. Further, the use restriction / billing information requires a high-speed and highly reliable storage device even at the expense of cost and capacity. For example, the multi-function peripheral stores and manages distribution destination information in a hard disk device, and manages usage restriction / billing information in non-volatile RAM.

  In the conventional multi-function peripheral, when referring to or updating the distribution destination information and the usage restriction / billing information, the user operates the operation panel provided in the multi-function peripheral.

  In Patent Document 1, a display unit, a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like are provided in a single casing, and four types of software corresponding to a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner are provided, and the printer is switched by switching the software. An example of a multifunction machine operating as a copy, facsimile and scanner is described.

  In a conventional multi-function device, the distribution destination information and the usage restriction / billing information are referred to or updated on the operation panel provided in the multi-function device, so the amount of information that can be displayed at one time depends on the display capability of the operation panel. . In general, an operation panel provided in a multi-function peripheral is often small, and there is a problem that the amount of information that can be displayed at a time on a screen for referring to or updating distribution destination information and usage restriction / billing information is small. Further, there is a problem that the reference or update of the delivery destination information and the usage restriction / billing information must be performed in a prescribed format provided in advance in the multi-function peripheral.

  Therefore, referring to or updating the distribution destination information and the usage restriction / billing information on the operation panel provided in the multi-function apparatus has a problem that the burden on the user is heavy.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an image forming apparatus and a network system capable of facilitating processing related to user information to reduce a user's work load and sharing user information. The purpose is to provide.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having hardware resources including at least one of a printer unit and a scanner unit, and stores a CPU that controls the image forming apparatus and user information. Storage means, an operating system that operates each of a plurality of applications installed in the image forming apparatus that performs processing specific to a user service related to image forming processing using the hardware resources, and the operating system by the CPU It is possible to receive the user information acquisition request stored in the storage means from each of the plurality of applications via the first interface that is defined in advance, and the user information corresponding to the received acquisition request The request source is obtained from the storage means. A user information acquisition request stored in the storage means from an external device connected to the image forming apparatus via a network via a second interface defined in advance. And a user information management program that obtains user information corresponding to the accepted acquisition request from the storage unit and supplies the user information to the external device.

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

  As described above, according to the present invention, the performance of the operation panel provided in the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus are provided in advance in order to manage user information using an external management apparatus connected via a network. The user information can be managed in a specified format provided by the external management apparatus, instead of the specified format for managing user information.

  Therefore, it is possible to simplify the processing related to the user information and reduce the work load on the user, and to share the user information with other image forming apparatuses.

It is a block diagram of one Example of the compound machine by this invention. It is a hardware block diagram of one Example of the compound machine by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the user information management method of this invention. It is a block diagram of an example of usage restriction / billing information. It is a block diagram of an example of delivery destination information. It is a figure for demonstrating the remote management of user information. It is an image figure (1/3) of an example of the Web service description by WSDL. It is an image figure (2/3) of an example of Web service description by WSDL. It is an image figure (3/3) of an example of the Web service description by WSDL. It is a flowchart of an example of the reference process of the user information using remote management. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the Web service for acquiring specification information. It is a block diagram of an example of a specification information structure. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the web service for authenticating a user or an administrator. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the Web service for acquiring a generation number. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the Web service for acquiring a heading set. It is a block diagram of an example of a header set information structure. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the Web service for acquiring a headline. It is a block diagram of an example of a header information structure. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the Web service for acquiring an entry list. It is a block diagram of an example of a narrowing filter. It is a block diagram of an example of an entry information structure. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the web service for acquiring account information. It is a block diagram of an example of an account information structure. It is a block diagram of an example of a mail destination information structure. It is a block diagram of an example of a FAX destination information structure. It is a block diagram of an example of a user code information structure. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the web service for acquiring group information. It is a block diagram of an example of a group information structure. It is a block diagram of an example of a mail group information structure. It is a block diagram of an example of a FAX group information structure. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the Web service for replacing the header information for each header set. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the web service for replacing the entry for every heading. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the web service for deleting the entry with the designated ID. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the Web service for performing the new creation of an account. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter utilized with the Web service for account information update. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the web service for creating a new group. It is a block diagram of an example of the input-output parameter utilized with the web service for group information update. It is a flowchart of an example of a process of restoring user information using remote management. It is a block diagram of an example of the input / output parameter used with the Web service for performing the process before a restore. It is a block diagram of an example of the input-output parameter used with the web service for performing the process after a restore. It is an image figure of an example of a display screen.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a compound machine according to the present invention. The compound machine 1 is configured to include a monochrome 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 compound machine starting unit 50. The software group 20 is configured to have an application 30 and a platform 40.

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

  The control service includes a system control service (hereinafter referred to as SCS) 42, an engine control service (hereinafter referred to as ECS) 44, a memory control service (hereinafter referred to as MCS) 45, an operation panel control service (hereinafter referred to as OCS) 46, and a fax. It is configured to have one or more service modules such as a control service (hereinafter referred to as FCS) 47, a network control service (hereinafter referred to as NCS) 48, and a user information management service (hereinafter referred to as UCS) 49.

  The platform 40 is configured to have an application program interface (hereinafter referred to as API) that can receive a processing request from the application 30 using a predefined function.

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

  The process of the SRM 43 performs system control and resource management together with the SCS 42. For example, the process of the SRM 43 is a host that uses hardware resources such as an engine such as a scanner unit and a printer unit, a memory, a hard disk device (HDD) file, and a host I / O (centro interface, network interface, IEEE 1394 interface, RS232C interface, etc.). Arbitration is performed according to the request from the layer, and execution control is performed.

  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 can be used. Notify the higher layer. Further, the SRM 43 performs use scheduling of hardware resources in response to a request from an upper layer, and directly executes requested contents such as paper conveyance and image forming operation, memory allocation, file generation, etc. by a printer engine.

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

  The MCS 45 process acquires and releases image memory, uses a hard disk drive (HDD), compresses and decompresses image data, and the like. The process of the OCS 46 controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control.

  The process of FCS47 includes facsimile transmission / reception using PSTN or ISDN network from each application layer of system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception. Provide an application to do.

  The NCS 48 process provides a service that can be used in common for applications that require network I / O. Data received from each network from the network side is distributed to each application, and data from the application is distributed. Mediates when sending to the network side.

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

  The application 30 performs processing specific to each user service related to image forming processing such as a 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 a postscript (PS), a copy application 32 that is a copy application, and a fax application 33 that is a facsimile application. , A scanner application 34 that is a scanner application, a net file application 35 that is a network file application, and a process inspection application 36 that is a process inspection application.

  The multi-function apparatus activation unit 50 is executed first when the multi-function apparatus 1 is powered on, and activates the application 30 and the platform 40. For example, the multi-function apparatus activation unit 50 reads a control service or application program from a flash memory, which will be described later, and transfers each read program to a memory area secured on the SRAM or SDRAM for activation.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment of the compound machine according to the present invention. 2 is configured to include a controller board 60, an operation panel 70, 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 The FCU 80 has a memory. The memory included in the FCU 80 is used for temporarily storing facsimile data received when the power of the multi-function apparatus 1 is OFF, for example.

  The operation panel 70 is directly connected to the ASIC 62 of the controller board 60. The FCU 80, the USB device 90, the IEEE 1394 device 100, and the engine unit 110 are connected to the ASIC 62 of the controller board 60 through a PCI bus (Peripheral Component Interconnect bus) or the like.

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

  The CPU 61 performs overall control of the compound machine 1. The CPU 61 starts and executes the SCS 42, SRM 43, ECS 44, MCS 45, OCS 46, FCS 47, and NCS 48 that form the platform 40 on the OS 41, and also executes the printer application 31, the copy application 32, and the fax application that form the application 30. 33, the scanner application 34, the net file application 35, and the process inspection application 36 are activated and executed.

  The ASIC 62 is an IC for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing. Virtual memory areas such as kernels and processes are mapped to the physical memory areas of the SRAM 63 and the SDRAM 64.

  The flash memory 65 as a nonvolatile RAM stores each application, control service, each program such as the SRM 43 and usage restriction / billing information that constitute the application 30 or the platform 40. The HDD 66 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, forms, and distribution destination information. The operation panel 70 is an operation unit that accepts an input operation from an operator and performs display for the operator.

  Such a compound machine 1 is connected to another compound machine or a computer via a network, for example, and distributes image information and the like using a distribution function. The multi-function apparatus 1 having a distribution function has distribution destination information and usage restriction / billing information as user information. The multi-function apparatus 1 that does not have a distribution function has usage restriction / billing information as user information.

  Hereinafter, the user information management method of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 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. 4, for example.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of an example of usage restriction / billing information. The usage restriction / billing information in FIG. 4 has data items such as a management number, registration number, user name, user code, copying function availability, copying function usage count, distribution function usage availability, and distribution function usage count. . The usage restriction / billing information stored in the flash memory 65 is managed by the billing information management module 121 included in the SCS 42.

  The flash memory 65 also stores management parameters for various services, modules, and applications, and is managed by a system initial setting module included in the SCS 42.

  The distribution destination information stored in the HDD 66 manages the distribution destination and the sender, and is configured as shown in FIG. 5, for example. FIG. 5 shows a configuration diagram of an example of distribution destination information. The distribution destination information in FIG. 5 includes data items such as a management number, a registration number, a user name, an e-mail address, and a sender permission / inhibition. 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 / charging information stored in the flash memory 65 via the charging information management module 121.

  Note that in the case of the MFP 1 that does not have a distribution function, there is no distribution destination information stored in the HDD 66. Even if the MFP 1 does not have a distribution function, the UCS 49 manages the usage restriction / billing information stored in the flash memory 65 via the charging information management module 121, so that the interface can be used regardless of the distribution function. Can be unified.

  FIG. 3 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. However, the usage restriction / billing information or the distribution destination information may be stored in the memory of the FCU 80. Good. Further, a part of the usage restriction / billing information or the distribution destination information may be stored in a memory included in the FCU 80.

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

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

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining remote management of user information. The external management device 124 includes a PROXY 130 that converts a Web service request (hereinafter referred to as a WS request) into a WS request described in XML and outputs a WS request described in XML. The remote interface 122 includes an XML parser 131, a conversion library 132, and one or more WSFs 133a to 133n.

  The XML parser 131 verifies whether a request described in XML conforms to the document type definition (DTD) and interprets the syntax of the document type definition, and converts the request into a tree type parse that can be used by the conversion library 132. The conversion library 132 converts the parse supplied from the XML parser 131 into a WS request. WSFs 133a to 133n are functions for realizing a 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 transmits the WS request described in XML to the NCS 48 of the MFP 1. The NCS 48 distributes the WS request described in XML to the XML parser 131 according to, for example, the URL.

  The XML parser 131 converts a request described in XML into a tree-type parse that can be used by the conversion library 132, and then supplies the request to the conversion library 132. The conversion library 132 converts the parse supplied from the XML parser 131 into a WS request, and specifies, for example, WSF 133a corresponding to the converted WS request. The UCS 49 provides Web services such as a user information reference function and an update function to the external management apparatus 124 according to the specified WSF 133a, for example.

  The PROXY 130, the conversion library 132, and the WSFs 133a to 133n are created from the Web service interface specifications shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 described in WSDL (Web Service Description Language). 7 to 9 are diagrams showing examples of Web service description by WSDL. 7 to 9 are examples in which Web services for acquiring generation numbers are described.

  For example, the description part 140 indicates that the input parameter used to acquire the generation number is “ticket” and the data type is binary data. The description part 141 indicates that the output parameters used for acquiring the generation number are “returnValue” and “generation_out”, the data type of “returnValue” is an enumeration, and the data type of “generation_out” is a non-negative integer. ing.

  The description portion 142 indicates which parameter is used by the method corresponding to acquisition of the generation number. Note that <operation name = “getGeneration”> in the description portion 142 corresponds to, for example, one WSF 133a. A Web service description by WSDL is created, for example, when the MFP 1 is developed.

  Next, user information reference processing using remote management will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user information reference process using remote management.

  In step S <b> 10, the external management device 124 remotely accesses a method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses a Web service for acquiring specification information. An input / output parameter as shown in FIG. 11 is used for a Web service that acquires specification information. FIG. 11 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring specification information. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the specification information structure.

  Progressing to step S11 following step S10, the external management device 124 remotely accesses a method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses a Web service for authenticating the user or the administrator. Input / output parameters as shown in FIG. 13 are used for a Web service for authenticating a user or an administrator. FIG. 13 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for authenticating a user or an administrator.

  A Web service that authenticates a user or an administrator inputs a password as an input parameter from the external management apparatus 124 and outputs authentication information as an output parameter to the external management apparatus 124. Note that the authentication information indicates that authentication has been completed. Authentication information is required as an input parameter in a Web service for referencing and updating user information. This is to prevent remote access from unauthorized users.

  Progressing to step S12 following step S11, the external management apparatus 124 remotely accesses a method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses a Web service for acquiring a generation number. The Web service for obtaining the generation number uses input / output parameters as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring a generation number. In the Web service for acquiring a 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 a number that is updated every time the user information is updated, it can be used to determine whether the user information has been updated in response to a request from another.

  Proceeding to step S13 following step S12, the external management apparatus 124 remotely accesses a method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses a Web service for acquiring a header set. An input / output parameter as shown in FIG. 15 is used for the Web service for acquiring the header set. FIG. 15 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring a header set.

  In the Web service for acquiring a header set, authentication information and a generation number are input as input parameters, and an array of generation numbers and header set information structures is output to the external management device 124 as output parameters. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the header set information structure.

  Progressing to step S14 following step S13, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122, and uses a Web service for acquiring a headline for every headline set acquired in step S13. Input / output parameters as shown in FIG. 17 are used for the Web service for acquiring the headline. FIG. 17 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring a headline.

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

  Progressing to step S15 following step S14, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122, and uses a Web service for acquiring an entry list for every headline acquired in step S14. The Web service that acquires the entry list uses input / output parameters as shown in FIG. FIG. 19 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring an entry list.

  In the Web service for acquiring the entry list, authentication information, generation number, heading management number, filtering filter, number of skipped entries, maximum number of simultaneously acquired entries are input as input parameters, and generation number and conditions are satisfied as output parameters. The number of entries, whether or not all entries have been acquired, and an array of entry information are output to the external management device 124. FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a narrowing filter. FIG. 21 shows a configuration diagram of an example of the entry information structure.

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

  When acquiring account information as detailed entry information, an input / output parameter as shown in FIG. 22 is used for a Web service that acquires account information. FIG. 22 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring account information. In the Web service for acquiring account information, authentication information, generation number, entry management number array, and acquisition member designation are input as input parameters to the external management device 124, and generation number and account information array are externally managed as output parameters. Output to the device 124. FIG. 23 shows a configuration diagram of an example of an account information structure. FIG. 24 shows a configuration diagram of an example of a mail destination information structure. FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing an example of the FAX destination information structure. FIG. 26 shows a configuration diagram of an example of a user code information structure.

  When acquiring group information as detailed entry information, an input / output parameter as shown in FIG. 27 is used for a Web service for acquiring group information. FIG. 27 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for acquiring group information. In the Web service for acquiring group information, authentication information, generation number, entry management number array and acquisition member designation are input as input parameters to the external management device 124, and generation number and group information array are externally managed as output parameters. Output to the device 124.

  FIG. 28 shows a configuration diagram of an example of the group information structure. FIG. 29 shows a configuration diagram of an example of a mail group information structure. FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing an example of the FAX group information structure.

  Progressing to step S17 following step S16, the external management device 124 creates a display screen as shown in FIG. 41 according to the information acquired in steps S13 to S16. FIG. 41 shows an image diagram of an example of the display screen.

  The display screen of FIG. 41 has a screen for displaying the number of printed sheets for each user, usage restriction information for each user, E-mail information, and FAX information. FIG. 41 is an example in which a screen for displaying E-mail information is selected.

  Progressing to step S18 following step S17, the external management device 124 displays the display screen created in step S17. As described above, the user information can be referred to not by the operation panel 70 of the multi-function apparatus 1 but by the external management device 124, so that a large amount of user information can be displayed at one time.

  Next, user information update processing using remote management will be described with reference to the drawings. For example, the user information update process using the remote management is performed for each heading set by displaying the display screen according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and then remotely accessing the method provided by the remote interface 122 by the external management device 124. Web service for substituting headline information, Web service for substituting entries for each headline, Web service for deleting an entry with a specified ID, Web service for creating a new account , A Web service for updating account information, a Web service for creating a new group, and a Web service for updating group information can be realized.

  FIG. 31 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for replacing heading information for each heading set. In the Web service for replacing heading information for each heading set, authentication information, generation number, heading set management number, and heading array are input as input parameters, and the generation number and the number of set headings are externally managed as output parameters. Output to the device 124.

  FIG. 32 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for replacing an entry for each heading. In the Web service for replacing the entry for each heading, the authentication information, generation number, heading management number, number of skipped entries, whether or not it is the last, the array of entry management numbers are input as input parameters, and the generation number, The number of correctly processed entries is output to the external management device 124.

  FIG. 33 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for deleting an entry having a designated ID. In the Web service for deleting an entry having a specified ID, an authentication information, a generation number, and an entry management number array are input as input parameters, and the generation number and the number of deleted entries are output as output parameters. Output to.

  FIG. 34 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for creating a new account. In the Web service for creating a new account, the authentication information, generation number, and account information array are input as input parameters, and the generation number and the management number array of newly created entries are output to the external management device 124 as output parameters. Output.

  FIG. 35 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for updating account information. In the Web service for updating account information, authentication information, generation number, update member designation, and account information array are input as input parameters, and the generation number and the number of updated entries are output to the external management device 124 as output parameters. .

  FIG. 36 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for creating a new group. In the Web service for creating a new group, the authentication information, generation number, and group information array are input as input parameters, and the generation number and management number array of the newly created entry are output to the external management device 124 as output parameters. Output.

  FIG. 37 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for updating group information. In the Web service for updating group information, authentication information, generation number, designation of acquisition member, and array of group information are input as input parameters, and the generation number and the number of updated entries are output to the external management device 124 as output parameters. .

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

  On the other hand, the restoration of user information is performed, for example, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for restoring user information using remote management.

  The processing of steps S20 to S22 is the same as the processing of steps S10 to S12 in FIG. In step S23, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122, and uses a Web service for performing processing before restoration.

  FIG. 39 shows a configuration diagram of an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for performing processing before restoration. The Web service for performing the process before the restoration inputs the authentication information and the generation number as input parameters from the external management apparatus 124 and outputs the generation number to the external management apparatus 124 as an output parameter.

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

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

  Proceeding to step S26 following step S25, the external management device 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses a Web service for adding all the groups that have already been backed up.

  Proceeding to step S27 following step S26, the external management apparatus 124 remotely accesses the method provided by the remote interface 122 and uses a Web service for adding all accounts that have already been backed up.

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

  Proceeding to 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 the processing after restoration.

  FIG. 40 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of input / output parameters used in a Web service for performing processing after restoration. The Web service for performing the processing after restoration causes the authentication information and the generation number to be input from the external management device 124 as input parameters, and outputs the generation number to the external management device 124 as output parameters.

  With the processing in FIG. 38, the external management apparatus 12 can restore the user information stored in the flash memory 65 or the HDD 66 using the backed-up user information. As described above, the multi-function apparatus 1 according to the present invention can remotely manage user information by providing the remote interface 122.

  In the configuration diagram of FIG. 1, an example in which the UCS 49 is included in the control service is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the UCS 49 may be included in the application 30.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fusion machine 11 Black and white line printer 12 Color line printer 13 Hardware resource 20 Software group 30 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 start-up 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 drive (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-133n WSF (Web Service Function)

JP 2002-84383 A

Claims (8)

Among the printer unit and the scanner unit An image forming apparatus having hardware resources including at least one,
A CPU for controlling the image forming apparatus;
Storage means for storing user information;
An operating system that operates each of a plurality of applications installed in the image forming apparatus that performs processing specific to a user service related to image forming processing using the hardware resources ;
Executed by the CPU on the operating system, the is a plurality of applications can be received via the first interface an acquisition request predefined user information stored in said storage means, acquiring request received user a user information program is supplied to the acquired from the storage means the requesting application, which is stored further from the external apparatus to the storing means connected to the image forming apparatus via the network in accordance with the is capable accepted via the second interface an acquisition request predefined information, the user information corresponding to the acquisition request received by obtaining from said storage means and a user information management program supplied to the external device An image forming apparatus comprising: Wherein each of the second interface is the first interface and the pre-defined pre-defined, Louis centers be able to receive a request for user information stored in said storage means by a predefined function The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a face. The user information, among the information of the information and the use restriction according to the delivery destination, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one. The storage means includes first storage means for storing first user information, and second storage means for storing second user information different from the first user information,
The user information management program determines whether the user information requested for acquisition is stored in the first storage unit or the second storage unit, and there is an acquisition request based on the determination. the image forming apparatus according to the user information to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that to get from the first storing means or said second storing means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the first user information includes information related to a distribution destination, and the second user information includes information related to usage restriction. Wherein the first storage means the second storage means, the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that each is a different recording medium. A network system in which an image forming apparatus and an external apparatus are connected via a network,
The image forming apparatus includes:
And hardware resources including at least one of the printer unit and the scanner unit,
A CPU for controlling the image forming apparatus;
Storage means for storing user information;
An operating system that operates each of a plurality of applications installed in the image forming apparatus that performs processing specific to a user service related to image forming processing using the hardware resources ;
Executed by the CPU on the operating system, the is a plurality of applications can be received via the first interface an acquisition request predefined user information stored in said storage means, acquiring request received the user information according to a program supplied to the requesting application obtaining from said storage means, further, a second said predefined request for acquiring the user information stored in said storage means from the external device A user information management program that can be received via the interface , and that acquires user information corresponding to the received acquisition request from the storage unit and supplies the user information to the external device
The external device is
Characterized Rukoto which have a acquisition request transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus through the second interface the predefined request for acquiring the user information stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus Network system. The network system according to claim 7 , wherein the external apparatus further includes a display unit that displays user information supplied from the image forming apparatus.