Image processing system including plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to network for use by plurality of users, and image processing apparatus included in the image processing system

Abstract

When user identification information is input, if user data including the input user identification information is stored, an MFP serving as an operation terminal requests an MFP serving as a home terminal specified by the apparatus identification information associated with the accepted user identification information by the user data to transmit the registered user information including the input user identification information and stores the registered user information received in response to the transmission request. Therefore, with a user's simple operation of inputting user identification information at an MFP as an operation terminal, the registered user information is transmitted from an MFP as a home terminal storing the registered user information and is then stored in the MFP as an operation terminal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing an image processing system in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of MFP.

FIG. 3A is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of an initial setting process.

FIG. 3B is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a connection process.

FIG. 4A shows exemplary registered user information stored in MFP 100.

FIG. 4B shows exemplary registered user information stored in MFP 100A.

FIG. 4C shows exemplary registered user information stored in MFP 100B.

FIG. 4D shows exemplary registered user information stored in MFP 100C.

FIG. 4E is a diagram showing an example of user data.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a user registration process.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary transfer confirmation window.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary deletion confirmation window.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of an operation input process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a log-in process.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary transfer alert window.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a command process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a personal information management process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a forced transfer process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of an operation input process in a second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a personal information management process in the second embodiment.

Claims

1. An image processing system comprising a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to a network, wherein each of said image processing apparatuses comprises:a registered user information storage portion to store registered user information including user identification information for identifying each user;a user identification information input portion to accept an input of user identification information;a registration portion to register the inputted user identification information by storing registered user information including the inputted user identification information to the registered user information storage portion;a user data storage portion to store user data which includes the registered user identification information and apparatus identification information for identifying the image processing apparatus storing the registered user information including the registered user identification information, in association with each other;a registered user information requesting portion to request transmission of the registered user information including the inputted user identification information from the image processing apparatus identified by apparatus identification information associated with the inputted user identification information of user data, when user data including the inputted user identification information is stored in the user data storage portion; andan additionally registration portion to additionally store the registered user information sent from the image processing apparatus to the registered user information storage portion in response to reception of the registered user information.

2. The image processing system of claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus further comprises a delete instruction portion to give an instruction of deletion of the registered user information including the registered user identification information, to the image processing apparatus identified by apparatus identification information associated with the inputted user identification information, when the inputted user identification information of the user data is stored in the user data storage portion.

3. The image processing system of claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus further comprises a delete allowance portion to allow an instruction of deletion of the registered user information by the delete instruction portion.

4. The image processing system of claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus further comprises an extracting portion to extract user data including the inputted user identification information from the user data storage portion in response to acceptance of the input of the user identification information at the user identification information input portion.

5. The image processing system of claim 4, wherein the image processing apparatus further comprises an alert portion to alert a user before deletion of extracted user data including the inputted user identification information.

6. An image processing apparatus connected to a network, comprising: a registered user information storage portion to store registered user information including user identification information for identifying each user;a user identification information input portion to accept an input of user identification information;a registration portion to register the inputted user identification information by storing registered user information including the inputted user identification information to the registered user information storage portion;a user data storage portion to store user data which includes the registered user identification information and apparatus identification information for identifying the image processing apparatus storing the registered user information including the registered user identification information, in association with each other;a registered user information requesting portion to request transmission of the registered user information including the inputted user identification information from the image processing apparatus identified by apparatus identification information associated with the inputted user identification information of user data, when user data including the inputted user identification information is stored in the user data storage portion; andan additionally registration portion to additionally store the registered user information sent from the image processing apparatus to the registered user information storage portion in response to reception of the registered user information.

7. The image processing apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a delete instruction portion to give an instruction of deletion of the registered user information including the registered user identification information, to the image processing apparatus identified by apparatus identification information associated with the inputted user identification information, when the inputted user identification information of the user data is stored in the user data storage portion.

8. The image processing apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a delete allowance portion to allow an instruction of deletion of the registered user information by the delete instruction portion.

9. The image processing apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: an extracting portion to extract user data including the inputted user identification information from the user data storage portion in response to acceptance of the input of the user identification information at the user identification information input portion.

10. The image processing apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: an alert portion to alert a user before deletion of the extracted user data including the inputted user identification information.