The present invention relates to a job processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium.
There has conventionally been known a terminal which is shared between a plurality of users (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-25040). In many cases, when one user logs in to the terminal, another user cannot use it.
To solve this, a multi-login environment receives a great deal of attention. The multi-login environment provides an environment which allows a plurality of users to simultaneously log in to a job processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus (or image forming system), and execute jobs.
The multi-login environment allows a user to log in to an image forming apparatus while maintaining the login environment of another user who has first logged in to the image forming apparatus. In the multi-login environment, a plurality of users can log in to an image forming apparatus and execute jobs such as printing while sharing (browsing) their knowledge (e.g., documents saved in the image forming apparatus) between them.
In an environment where a plurality of users who have logged in to an image forming apparatus execute jobs in front of the operation unit, a user who actually executed a job sometimes cannot be identified. In this case, correct job owner information may not be stored in a log which saves job results, or a third party user (account) may be charged (the job count may be incremented).
However, a conventional technique cannot identify a user who designates execution of a job unless logged-in users are limited to one by prompting logged-in users to log out. The login environments of logged-out users are reset, canceling the multi-login environment where users' knowledge (documents saved in the image forming apparatus) can be shared (browsed). Hence, the conventional technique can identify neither a job owner in the multi-login environment, nor job owner information and the charging destination to be stored in the log. Since the login environment is reset, no job owner can be switched while browsing the knowledge of a logged-in user.
The present invention provides a job processing apparatus capable of definitely identifying a user (job owner) who designates execution of a job in an environment where a plurality of users can log in.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a job processing apparatus which allows a plurality of users to log in, the apparatus includes a detection means configured to detect that a plurality of users has logged in, an accepting means configured to accept a job execution instruction from a user, a display means configured to, when the detection means detects that a plurality of users has logged in, display the plurality of logged-in users so as to be able to identify a user who issues a job execution instruction to be accepted by the accepting means, among the plurality of logged-in users, and a processing means configured to, when the user is identified based on the display by the display means and the accepting means accepts the job execution instruction, execute a job corresponding to the execution instruction as a job by the identified user.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings, and a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.
The reader unit 10 optically scans a document to read an image on the document and convert it into image data representing the image. In the embodiment, the reader unit 10 includes a scanner 12 having a function of scanning a document, and a document feeder 14 having a function of conveying a plurality of set document sheets one by one. The scanner 12 scans a document sheet conveyed from the document feeder 14. The reader unit 10 may also read a document sheet set by the user on the platen glass and convert the image into image data without using the document feeder 14.
The printer unit 20 conveys a print sheet, forms (prints) image data as a visible image on the print sheet, and delivers the print sheet. In the embodiment, the printer unit 20 includes a paper source 22 including print sheet cassettes for storing various types of print sheets, an image forming unit 24 for transferring image data as a visible image onto a print sheet and fixing the image, and a delivery unit 26 for sorting and stapling print sheets bearing images, and delivering them.
The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal display, a touch panel (input device) formed on the liquid crystal display, and a plurality of hard keys. The operation unit 30 provides a user interface (UI) for performing a variety of operations by the user. In other words, the operation unit 30 functions as an accepting unit which accepts a job execution instruction from the user. The operation unit 30 transmits, to the control unit 50, a user instruction input via the touch panel and/or hard keys. The operation unit 30 displays, on the liquid crystal display, an image (e.g., an operation window) corresponding to image data transmitted from the control unit 50. The operation unit 30 and an operation window displayed on the operation unit 30 will be explained in detail later.
The storage unit 40 is formed from, for example, a hard disk (HD), and stores various programs and data associated with the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The storage unit 40 includes a plurality of box areas as an area for storing image data. Each user can designate one of the boxes to store image data. In the embodiment, the storage unit 40 stores a table which manages information on a job executed by the image forming apparatus 1 for each of users who log in to the image forming apparatus 1. The storage unit 40 includes a storage area for storing a job log corresponding to each job, and a counter area used for charging and the like.
A job type area 422 represents the type of job executed by the image forming apparatus 1. In the embodiment, the job type area 422 represents copy, Box print (boxprint), Box scan (boxscan), BoxToSend (boxtosend), and the like as examples of a job. A copy job outputs, to the printer unit 20, image data obtained by reading an image on a document by the reader unit 10, and prints the image on a print sheet. A Box print job reads out a selected one of image data stored in a box in the storage unit 40, and prints the image on a print sheet by the printer unit 20. A Box scan job stores, in a box in the storage unit 40, image data obtained by reading an image on a document by the reader unit 10. A BoxToSend job reads out a selected one of image data stored in a box in the storage unit 40, and sends it outside. The transmission method is facsimile transmission, e-mail transmission, FTP transmission, or the like.
A user information area 424 represents information of a plurality of users who can log in to the image forming apparatus 1. In the embodiment, the user information area 424 represents akai, ishii, oota, and the like as examples of user information. User information represented in the user information area 424 is not limited to an individual, but may also be a department ID or the like.
By looking up the table 420, the count at which each user has executed each type of job can be graphed. For example, user “akai” has executed copy 30 times, Box print 10 times, Box scan 10 times, and BoxToSend once.
A job area 442 represents the type of job executed by the image forming apparatus 1.
A job owner (jobowner) area 444 represents a job owner as a user who designated execution of a job.
An end area 446 represents the end time of a job executed by the image forming apparatus 1.
A result area 448 represents a status of whether a job executed by the image forming apparatus 1 normally ended.
Referring back to
The control unit 50 controls the reader unit 10, printer unit 20, operation unit 30, and storage unit 40, and provides a copy function, Box function, network scanner function, printer function, and the like. The copy function reads an image on a document, converts it into image data, and forms (prints) an image corresponding to the image data on a print sheet. The Box function stores (saves) image data in a box in the storage unit 40, or prints and sends image data in a box. The network scanner function converts image data obtained by reading a document by the reader unit 10 into an image file, and transmits the image file to the host computer via the LAN. The printer function converts code data received from the host computer via the LAN into image data, and forms (prints) an image corresponding to the image data on a print sheet. The control unit 50 executes a variety of jobs by properly combining these functions in accordance with a job execution instruction from the user via the operation unit 30 or host computer.
In the embodiment, the control unit 50 also functions as a detection unit which detects that a plurality of users have logged in to the image forming apparatus 1, and an identifying unit which identifies, based on an operation on the operation unit 30, a user who is to execute a job. The control unit 50 also functions as a rewriting unit which, when a user who is to execute a job is identified, rewrites information on jobs by the identified user in the table 420 stored in the storage unit 40.
The operation unit 30 and an operation window displayed on the operation unit 30 will be explained. In the embodiment, the operation unit 30 displays a plurality of users who have logged in to the image forming apparatus 1, so as to be able to select (identify) a user who is to execute a job. In addition, the operation unit 30 displays, on the liquid crystal display, an operation window for accepting an operation to select a user who is to execute a job.
In
Keys 328 to 334 are used to designate execution of various processes (jobs) by a user corresponding to the pane 323 as a job owner. The keys 328 to 331 are used to process document data displayed in the pane 323. The keys 332 to 334 are used to process document data displayed in the panes 323 and 324 (i.e., all panes displayed in the operation window). For example, when the preview key 328 is pressed, user “suzuki” who is the owner of the pane 323 serves as a job owner, and “specifications appendix B.doc” selected in the pane 323 is previewed. When the “read document” key 329 is pressed, user “suzuki” who is the owner of the pane 323 serves as a job owner, and the reader unit 10 reads a document. Image data obtained by this operation is newly saved in a box corresponding to Box No. 1 selected in the pane 323. When the send key 330 is pressed, user “suzuki” who is the owner of the pane 323 serves as a job owner, and “specifications appendix B.doc” selected in the pane 323 is sent to a designated destination. When the print key 331 is pressed, user “suzuki” who is the owner who is the owner of the pane 323 serves as a job owner, and “specifications appendix B.doc” selected in the pane 323 is printed.
The pane 324 whose owner is user “tanaka” has the same arrangement as that of the pane 323 whose owner is user “suzuki”, and a detailed description thereof will not be repeated. More specifically, keys which are displayed in the pane 324 and designate execution of various processes are used for a user corresponding to the pane 324 serving as a job owner. In the pane 324, document data “specifications D.doc” is selected.
In the operation window shown in
In
When the batch send key 333 in the pane 323 is pressed in the operation window shown in
In
Assume that the batch read key 332 in the pane 323 is pressed in the operation window shown in
In
When setting, as a job owner, a user (a user other than users “suzuki” and “tanaka” in the embodiment) who does not log in to the image forming apparatus 1, a login key 357 suffices to be pressed in the operation window shown in
The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained.
In step S1002, the control unit 50 detects that a user has logged in to the image forming apparatus 1. The user can log in to the image forming apparatus 1 by operating the above-described operation windows shown in
In step S1004, the control unit 50 displays, on the liquid crystal display of the operation unit 30, information (e.g., the user information 321a in the operation window shown in
In step S1006, the control unit 50 displays, on the liquid crystal display of the operation unit 30, a logout key (e.g., the logout key 322 in the operation window shown in
After steps S1004 and S1006, the liquid crystal display of the operation unit 30 displays the operation window shown in
In step S1008, the control unit 50 monitors whether a job key (e.g., one of the job keys 304 to 310 in the operation window shown in
If the control unit 50 determines in step S1008 that neither a job key nor shortcut key has been pressed, it keeps monitoring until a job key or shortcut key is pressed. If the control unit 50 determines in step S1008 that a job key or shortcut key has been pressed, the process advances to step S1010.
In step S1010, the control unit 50 determines whether a plurality of users has simultaneously logged in to the image forming apparatus 1. As a method of determining whether a plurality of users has logged in, the control unit 50 can employ a variety of methods. For example, whether a plurality of users has logged in may be determined from information of logged-in users. Whether a plurality of users has logged in may also be determined from the count (e.g., the count at which users were authenticated) at which login processing has been executed while no logged-in user has logged out.
If the control unit 50 determines in step S1010 that a plurality of users has not logged in (i.e., only one user has logged in), the process advances to step S1014. If the control unit 50 determines in step S1010 that a plurality of users has logged in, the process advances to step S1012. A case wherein a plurality of users has logged in to the image forming apparatus 1 will be exemplified.
In step S1012, the control unit 50 prepares for display of keys (e.g., the keys 332 to 334, 341, 342, and 350 in the operation window shown in
In step S1014, the control unit 50 prepares for display of a login key (e.g., the login key 357 shown in
In step S1016, the control unit 50 displays, on the liquid crystal display of the operation unit 30, an operation window including a plurality of panes corresponding to respective users who have logged in to the image forming apparatus 1. Each of the panes includes keys prepared in step S1012 to execute batch processes. The operation window including these panes includes a login key prepared in step S1014.
After steps S1012 to S1016, the liquid crystal display of the operation unit 30 displays the operation window shown in
In step S1018, the control unit 50 monitors whether a key for executing a job (e.g., one of the keys 328 to 331 for executing processes and the keys 332 to 334 for executing batch processes in the operation window shown in
If the control unit 50 determines in step S1018 that a key for executing a job has not been pressed, it keeps monitoring until a key for executing a job is pressed. If the control unit 50 determines in step S1018 that a key for executing a job has been pressed, the process advances to step S1020.
In step S1020, the control unit 50 controls the reader unit 10, printer unit 20, storage unit 40, and the like to execute a job corresponding to the key determined in step S1018 to have been pressed.
In step S1022, the control unit 50 acquires, based on an operation on the operation unit 30, information of a user (job owner) who has executed the job. For example, when the key 334 is pressed in the operation window shown in
In step S1024, based on the job owner information acquired in step S1022, the control unit 50 rewrites a table (see
In step S1026, based on the job execution result in step S1020 and the job owner information acquired in step S1022, the control unit 50 rewrites a table (see
In this manner, according to the embodiment, the operation unit 30 displays an operation window including a plurality of panes corresponding to respective users who have logged in to the image forming apparatus 1. A user (job owner) who is to execute a job is identified based on an operation on the operation unit 30. Hence, the image forming apparatus 1 can definitely identify a job owner in an environment where a plurality of users can log in. The image forming apparatus 1 can solve the problem that no correct job owner is stored in a table which manages information on jobs, and the problem that a third party user (account) is charged. In this case, keys for issuing job execution instructions are displayed in a pane corresponding to each user. A user who is to execute a job can be identified based on the display.
Even when a plurality of users log in to the image forming apparatus 1, an operation window can also be displayed with a single pane, as shown in
In
The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when displaying an operation window with a single pane will be explained.
In step S1102, the control unit 50 detects that a user has logged in to the image forming apparatus 1. The embodiment explains the operation on the premise that a user logs in to the image forming apparatus 1. In practice, it is detected whether a user has logged in to the image forming apparatus 1.
In step S1104, the control unit 50 displays, on the liquid crystal display of the operation unit 30, information (e.g., the user information 321a in the operation window shown in
In step S1106, the control unit 50 displays, on the liquid crystal display of the operation unit 30, a logout key (e.g., the logout key 322 in the operation window shown in
After steps S1104 and S1106, the liquid crystal display of the operation unit 30 displays the operation window shown in
In step S1108, the control unit 50 monitors whether a job key (e.g., one of the job keys 304 to 310 in the operation window shown in
If the control unit 50 determines in step S1108 that neither a job key nor shortcut key has been pressed, it keeps monitoring until a job key or shortcut key is pressed. If the control unit 50 determines in step S1108 that a job key or shortcut key has been pressed, the process advances to step S1110.
In step S1110, the control unit 50 prepares for display of information (e.g., the field 358 for displaying user information in the operation window shown in
In step S1112, the control unit 50 prepares for display of a login key (e.g., the “another user” key 359 in the operation window shown in
In step S1114, the control unit 50 displays, on the liquid crystal display of the operation unit 30, an operation window of a single pane including the user information and login key prepared in steps S1110 and S1112.
After steps S1110 to S1114, the liquid crystal display of the operation unit 30 displays the operation window shown in
In step S1116, the control unit 50 monitors whether a key for executing a job (e.g., the key 364 for executing various processes in the operation window shown in
If the control unit 50 determines in step S1116 that a key for executing a job has not been pressed, it keeps monitoring until a key for executing a job is pressed. If the control unit 50 determines in step S1116 that a key for executing a job has been pressed, the process advances to step S1118.
In step S1118, the control unit 50 controls the reader unit 10, printer unit 20, storage unit 40, and the like to execute a job corresponding to the key determined in step S1116 to have been pressed.
In step S1120, the control unit 50 acquires, based on an operation on the operation unit 30, information of a user (job owner) who has executed the job. For example, when the key 364 is pressed in the operation window shown in
In step S1122, based on the job owner information acquired in step S1120, the control unit 50 rewrites a table (see
In step S1124, based on the job execution result in step S1118 and the job owner information acquired in step S1120, the control unit 50 rewrites a table (see
In this way, even when a plurality of users has logged in to the image forming apparatus 1 and the operation unit 30 displays a single-pane operation window, a user (job owner) who is to execute a job can be identified based on an operation on the operation unit 30. However, a single pane needs to include identification information of a user who is to execute a job. In this example, a job is executed upon identifying a job owner on the basis of display of user information. Hence, an execution instruction can also be issued with hard keys, instead of keys displayed in the operation window.
The above-described embodiment can be implemented by software by the computer (or the CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus.
To implement the above-described embodiment by the compute, a computer program supplied to the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, a computer program for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiment also constitutes one aspect of the present invention.
The computer program for implementing the above-described embodiment can take any form as long as it is computer-readable. For example, the computer program can be formed from an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like. However, the computer program is not limited to them.
The computer program for implementing the above-described embodiment is supplied to the computer by a storage medium or wired/wireless communication. Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program are a magnetic storage medium (e.g., a flexible disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape), an optical/magneto-optical storage medium (e.g., a MO, CD, or DVD), and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.
As the computer program supply method using wired/wireless communication, a server on a computer network is used. In this case, the server stores a data file (program file) serving as the computer program which constitutes the present invention. The program file may be an executable program or source code.
The server supplies the program file by downloading to a client computer which accesses the server. In this case, it is also possible to divide the program file into a plurality of segment files, and store the segment files in different servers.
Hence, even the server which provides a client computer with the program file for implementing the above-described embodiment also constitutes one aspect of the present invention.
It is also possible to encrypt the computer program for implementing the above-described embodiment, distribute a storage medium which stores the encrypted computer program, supply decryption key information to a user who satisfies a predetermined condition, and permit him to install the computer program in his computer. The key information can be supplied by, for example, downloading it from a homepage via the Internet.
The computer program for implementing the above-described embodiment may also use the function of an OS running on the computer.
The computer program for implementing the above-described embodiment may also be partially formed from firmware such as an expansion board mounted in a computer, or executed by the CPU of the expansion board or the like.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-081743 filed Mar. 26, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2008-081743 | Mar 2008 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/JP2009/056022 | 3/18/2009 | WO | 00 | 7/22/2010 |