JP7574612B2 - Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing program.

Patent Document 1 proposes an image forming device having a sort attribute value request means for requesting attribute values of attributes specified by a sort key from among user information stored in another device, a first cache creation means for merging and sorting attribute values acquired from another device to create a first cache, screen configuration information in which screen transition information and information specified by user information displayed for each screen are registered, a user information identification means for identifying screens to which a screen can be transitioned and user information displayed on the screen based on the order of attribute values in the first cache and the screen configuration information, a user information request means for requesting user information from another device, and a second cache creation means for creating a second cache by rearranging the user information in the same way as the first cache.

Patent document 2 also proposes a communication device that includes an acquisition means for acquiring destination information from another communication device, a storage means for storing the destination information acquired by the acquisition means in association with information indicating whether the destination information is set as a destination for sending a document, and a display means for displaying an item corresponding to the destination information stored in the storage means in a display form that allows the user to identify whether the destination information is set as a destination for sending a document.

Patent document 3 also proposes a data transmission device capable of transmitting data to a plurality of devices, which stores each destination information related to the plurality of devices in an destination information table by assigning an index to the destination information, and which has a creation means for extracting, when at least one index is specified in a transmission job, destination information corresponding to the specified at least one index together with the index from the destination information table to create a specified-index-compatible destination information table; a determination means for determining, when a request is made to change any of the destination information related to the plurality of devices, whether an index corresponding to the destination information requested to be changed exists in the specified-index-compatible destination information table; a change means for changing the destination information corresponding to the index in the specified-index-compatible destination information table in accordance with the change request when the determination means determines that the index exists; and an execution means for executing the transmission job by referring to the specified-index-compatible destination information table after the change by the change means.

Patent No. 5609437 Patent No. 6016352 Patent No. 4439699

When it is assumed that registration information registered in a device installed in another linked location is used from a device installed in a shared space, etc., there is a possibility that the used registration information may be seen by people from different affiliations, which is undesirable from a security standpoint. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an information processing device, information processing system, and information processing program that can ensure security against people from different affiliations when registration information registered in a device installed in another linked location is used.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an information processing device according to a first aspect includes a processor, which acquires registration information pre-registered in the device itself and in each of pre-registered devices to be linked, executes a predetermined process using the registration information, and when executing the process, if the registration information pre-registered in the device itself is used, makes it possible to view a history related to the registration information, and if the registration information registered in the device is used, makes it impossible to view at least a portion of the history related to the registration information, and performs a process of transmitting the history related to the registration information to an administrator of the device .
In addition, an information processing device according to a second aspect includes a processor, which acquires registration information preregistered in the device itself and in each of the preregistered devices to be linked, and executes a predetermined process using the registration information. When executing the process, if the registration information preregistered in the device itself is used, a process is performed that allows the history related to the registration information to be viewed, and if the registration information registered in the device is used, a process is performed that makes at least a part of the history related to the registration information unviewable. If an original image is read and transmitted using destination information as the registration information of the device, the history of the process is not stored, and if an original image is read and transmitted using destination information of the device, a process is performed to store the history of the process.

In addition, in an information processing device according to a third aspect, in the information processing device according to the first or second aspect , the processor sets the settings of the device for each user and obtains registration information of the device set for an authenticated user.

In addition, in an information processing device according to a fourth aspect, in the information processing device according to the first or third aspect, the processor prevents even the administrator of the device from viewing registration information registered in the device.

In addition, in an information processing device according to a fifth aspect, in an information processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the processor does not allow even an administrator of the device to view the history related to the registration information when the registration information registered in the device is used.

In addition, in an information processing device of a sixth aspect, in the information processing device of the second aspect , when the processor uses registration information registered in the device, it transmits a history related to the registration information to the administrator of the device.

In addition, in an information processing device of a seventh aspect, in the information processing of any one of the first to sixth aspects, when the processor reads and sends an original image using destination information as registration information of the device, it hides the display of the used registration information on the execution screen showing the execution status of the processing, and when the processor reads and sends an original image using destination information of the device itself, it displays the used registration information on the execution screen.

In addition, in an information processing device of an eighth aspect, in the information processing device of the first aspect , the processor performs processing such that when an original image is read and sent using destination information as registration information of the device, the processor does not store a history of the processing, and when an original image is read and sent using destination information of the device itself, the processor performs processing to store a history of the processing.

In addition, in an information processing device of a ninth aspect, in the information processing device of the fourth or fifth aspect, the processor enables viewing of a predetermined part of the registration information registered in the device even in a case where the viewing is not possible.

In addition, an information processing device according to a tenth aspect is the information processing device according to the ninth aspect, wherein the predetermined portion is a portion that is set in advance by a user.

In addition, in the information processing device according to the first or third aspect, the processor further performs a process of setting contents to be stored as the history.

In addition, in an information processing device according to a 12th aspect, in an information processing device according to any one of the 1st to 11st aspects, the processor, when executing the process, further performs a process of identifiably displaying whether the acquired registration information is registration information registered in the device itself or registration information registered in the equipment.

In addition, in the information processing device according to the first to third aspects, in the information processing device according to the first to second aspects, the processor displays the registration information registered in the device itself and the registration information registered in the equipment in different display formats.

In addition, in an information processing device according to a first to fourth aspect, in the information processing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the processor deletes the registration information acquired from the device upon logout, or temporarily stores the registration information for each linked destination and deletes it after a predetermined time has elapsed.

An information processing system according to a first to fifth aspect includes a plurality of information processing devices according to any one of claims 1 to 14 , and enables the setting of the devices to be linked between the plurality of information processing devices.

In addition, the information processing program relating to the 16th aspect causes a computer to acquire registration information pre-registered in each of its own device and pre-registered devices to be linked, execute a predetermined process using the registration information, and when executing the process, if the registration information pre-registered in the own device is used, make it possible to view a history related to the registration information, and if the registration information registered in the device is used, make it impossible to view at least a part of the history related to the registration information, and execute a process of sending the history related to the registration information to an administrator of the device .
In addition, an information processing program relating to a 17th aspect causes a computer to obtain registration information pre-registered in each of its own device and a pre-registered device to be linked, execute a predetermined process using the registration information, and when executing the process, if the registration information pre-registered in the own device is used, perform processing to make it possible to view a history related to the registration information, and if the registration information registered in the device is used, perform processing to make it impossible to view at least a part of the history related to the registration information, and if an original image is read and transmitted using destination information as the registration information of the device, do not store the history of the process, and if an original image is read and transmitted using destination information of the own device, store the history of the process.

According to the first aspect, an information processing device can be provided that can ensure security against people from different affiliations when registration information registered in a device installed at another location that is the target of linkage is used , and when registration information registered in a device that is the target of linkage is used, the administrator of the device that is the target of linkage can view the history .
According to the second aspect, an information processing device can be provided that can ensure security for people from different affiliations when registration information registered in a device installed at another location that is the target of linkage is used, and when a document image is read and transmitted using registration information registered in a device installed at another location that is the target of linkage, security can be ensured in the history for people from different affiliations.

According to the third aspect, the registration information is prevented from being used by other people.

According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to ensure security for people in different departments, including the administrator of the own device.

According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to ensure security in the history of people in different departments, including the administrator of the own device.

According to the sixth aspect, when registration information registered in a linked device is used, the administrator of the linked device can view the history.

According to the seventh aspect, when an original image is read and transmitted using registration information registered in a device installed at another location that is the target of collaboration, it is possible to ensure security on the execution screen for people in different departments.

According to the eighth aspect, when an original image is read and transmitted using registration information registered in an apparatus installed at another linked location, it is possible to ensure security in the history of people from different departments.

According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to determine the suitability of the registration information used by the user while ensuring security for persons other than the user.

According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to judge the suitability of the registration information to be used based on the portion of the registration information that is easy to judge the suitability of the registration information to be used.

According to the first aspect, it is possible to store only the history that is necessary for the user.

According to the first and second aspects, when executing a process, it is possible to distinguish and check the registration information registered in the own device and the registration information registered in the device to be linked.

According to the first and third aspects, when executing processing, by checking the display form, it is possible to check whether the registration information is registered in the own device or in a device to be linked.

According to the first and fourth aspects, it is possible to ensure security for the registration information acquired from the linked device.

According to the first to fifth aspects, it is possible to provide an information processing system capable of ensuring security against people from different affiliations when using registration information registered in a device installed in another location that is a link target.

According to the 16th aspect, it is possible to provide an information processing program that can ensure security against people from different affiliations when registration information registered in a device installed at another location that is the target of linkage is used , and when registration information registered in a device that is the target of linkage is used, the administrator of the device that is the target of linkage can view the history .
According to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to provide an information processing program that can ensure security for people from different affiliations when registration information registered in a device installed at another location that is the target of linkage is used, and it is possible to ensure security in the history for people from different affiliations when a document image is read and transmitted using registration information registered in a device installed at another location that is the target of linkage.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an electrical system of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment; 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus in the information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow when registering a linked image forming apparatus that shares information such as destination information in the image forming apparatus of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow when a linked image forming apparatus is used in the image forming apparatus of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a destination list. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow when a destination is specified and information read by the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the destination in the image forming apparatus of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen when a process is executed using destination information registered in the own device. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen when a process is executed using destination information registered in a linked image forming apparatus; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processes performed after a destination is specified and information read by the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the destination in the image forming apparatus of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed when checking history in an image forming device of the information processing system according to this embodiment after specifying a destination and performing a process of sending information read by the image forming device to the destination.

An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an information processing system in which multiple image forming devices are connected to each other via a communication line such as a network will be described as an example. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an information processing system 10 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment is configured to include multiple image forming devices 12a, 12b (two in FIG. 1) as information processing devices. Note that when it is not necessary to distinguish between the image forming devices 12a, 12b, the alphabet at the end of the reference numeral may be omitted. In addition, in this embodiment, an example is described in which multiple image forming devices 12a, 12b are provided, but the system may also include an information processing terminal, a cloud server, etc., in addition to the image forming device 12. In addition, in this embodiment, a case is described in which the image forming device 12 is an example of an information processing device, but this is not limited to the image forming device 12, and other information processing devices such as a personal computer may also be applied.

Each image forming device 12 is connected to the other via a communication line 18, such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, an intranet, etc. Each image forming device 12 is capable of transmitting and receiving various data to and from devices connected to the communication line 18 via the communication line 18.

In this embodiment, we will explain an example in which each image forming device 12 in the information processing system 10 is placed in a shared office.

Shared offices have become more important in recent work style reforms, and are becoming more widespread as more diverse work styles become available. One of the purposes of using shared offices is to build personal connections, and there are management companies that frequently hold seminars and events. Another benefit is that you can get feedback by having people see your products and ideas.

As shown in FIG. 1, in a shared office, there is an area called a private office where other users do not enter and an area called a shared space where an unspecified number of users enter. Image forming devices 12 are installed in both the private offices and the shared space, and highly confidential materials are not used on the image forming device 12a installed in the shared space due to security concerns. For example, a possible use case would be to hold a meeting in the shared space with tenants from other companies to show them their products or ideas, and then send the feedback to your own company by email from the image forming device 12a installed in the shared space. In this case, it would be necessary to travel from the shared space to the private office, which would be inconvenient.

In the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment, the image forming device 12a installed in the shared space is linked to an image forming device installed in another location, such as a private office in a shared office. The image forming device 12a installed in the shared space is then able to share and use the destination information as registration information of the linked image forming device 12b installed in another location. In the following description, the image forming device 12 installed in a location other than the image forming device itself may simply be referred to as the linked image forming device 12.

However, this is undesirable from a security standpoint, as there is a possibility that other residents may be able to see the information displayed on the execution screen and history of a process performed using the destination list of an image forming device 12b installed in another location.

In this embodiment, the image forming device 12 of the information processing system 10 acquires registration information preregistered in the device itself and in preregistered devices to be linked, and when executing a predetermined process using the acquired registration information, if the registration information preregistered in the device itself is used, the history related to the registration information can be viewed. On the other hand, if the registration information registered in the devices to be linked is used, a process is performed that makes it impossible to view at least a part of the history related to the registration information.

In addition, when the image forming device 12 displays the execution screen, if the image forming device 12 executes a process using the registration information of the linked device, the image forming device 12 performs a process to hide at least a portion of the registered information.

In the following, an example of registered information will be described in which destination information is obtained from the image forming device 12, which is the information processing device to be linked, and used; however, registered information is not limited to destination information. For example, image information, document information, etc. may also be applied.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the electrical system of the image forming device 12 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming device 12 according to this embodiment is equipped with a control unit 20 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20B, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20C. The CPU 20A controls the overall operation of the image forming device 12. The RAM 20C is used as a work area when the CPU 20A executes various programs. The ROM 20B stores various control programs, various parameters, and the like in advance. In the image forming device 12, each part of the control unit 20 is electrically connected by a system bus 42.

On the other hand, the image forming device 12 according to this embodiment includes a storage 26 such as a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores user information, setting parameters, and various data related to cooperation between the image forming devices 12, application programs, and the like. The image forming device 12 is also connected to a user interface 22 and includes a display control unit 28 that controls the display of various operation screens, etc. on the display of the user interface 22. The image forming device 12 is also connected to the user interface 22 and includes an operation input detection unit 30 that detects operation instructions input via the user interface 22. In the image forming device 12, the storage 26, the display control unit 28, and the operation input detection unit 30 are electrically connected to a system bus 42. Note that a non-volatile storage unit such as a flash memory may be used as the storage 26.

The image forming device 12 according to the present embodiment also includes a reading control unit 32 that controls the optical image reading operation by the document reading unit 44 and the document feeding operation by the document transport unit, and an image forming control unit 34 that controls the image forming process by the image forming unit 24 and the transport of paper to the image forming unit 24 by the transport unit 25. The image forming device 12 also includes a communication line I/F (interface) unit 36 that is connected to the communication line 18 and transmits and receives communication data with other external devices connected to the communication line 18. The image forming device 12 also includes a facsimile I/F (interface) unit 38 that is connected to a telephone line (not shown) and transmits and receives facsimile data with a facsimile device connected to the telephone line. The image forming device 12 also includes a transmission/reception control unit 40 that controls the transmission and reception of facsimile data via the facsimile I/F unit 38. In the image forming device 12, the transmission/reception control unit 40, the reading control unit 32, the image forming control unit 34, the communication line I/F unit 36, and the facsimile I/F unit 38 are electrically connected to the system bus 42.

With the above configuration, the image forming device 12 according to this embodiment uses the CPU 20A to access the RAM 20C, the ROM 20B, and the HDD 26. The image forming device 12 also uses the CPU 20A to control the display of information such as an operation screen and various messages on the display of the user interface 22 via the display control unit 28. The image forming device 12 also uses the CPU 20A to control the operation of the document reading unit 44 and the document transport unit via the reading control unit 32. The image forming device 12 also uses the CPU 20A to control the operation of the image forming unit 24 and the transport unit 25 via the image formation control unit 34, and to control the transmission and reception of communication data via the communication line I/F unit 36. The image forming device 12 also uses the CPU 20A to control the transmission and reception of facsimile data via the facsimile I/F unit 38 via the transmission and reception control unit 40. In addition, the image forming device 12 uses the CPU 20A to control the transmission and reception of data via the communication line I/F unit 36 using the transmission and reception control unit 40. Furthermore, the image forming device 12 uses the CPU 20A to grasp the operation content in the user interface 22 based on the operation information detected by the operation input detection unit 30, and executes various controls based on this operation content.

Next, we will explain the functional configuration that is realized by the CPU 20A of the control unit 20 in each image forming device 12 executing a program stored in the ROM 20B. Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the image forming device 12 in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment.

The control unit 20 has the functions of an authentication unit 50, a linked device registration unit 52, a local device destination search unit 54, a other device destination search instruction unit 56, a other device destination information acquisition unit 58, a destination list creation unit 60, a process execution unit 62, an execution screen display determination unit 64, and a process history storage presence/absence determination unit 66.

The authentication unit 50 authenticates the user by determining whether the user is a pre-registered user. As the authentication method, various well-known technologies can be applied. For example, authentication using a card, authentication using a PIN number, or biometric authentication using biometric information may be used.

The linked device registration unit 52 registers devices such as the image forming device 12 that are linked to share information such as a destination list. In addition, registration of devices such as the image forming device 12 that are linked is performed for each user. This allows processing to be performed using information such as the destination information of the registered devices.

The local device destination search unit 54 searches for a corresponding destination from a destination list registered in advance on the local device when the user operates the user interface 22 to specify conditions for searching for destinations, such as search conditions and sorting conditions.

The other device destination search instruction unit 56 instructs other devices registered by the linked device registration unit 52 to search for destinations that correspond to the specified conditions when the user operates the user interface 22 to specify conditions for searching for destinations, such as search conditions and sort conditions.

The other device destination information acquisition unit 58 acquires destination information from the other device to be linked as specified by the other device destination search instruction unit 56.

The destination list creation unit 60 creates a destination list based on the search results of the local device destination search unit 54. In addition, when destination information is acquired from another device to be linked by the other device destination information acquisition unit 58, a destination list is created in which the acquired destination information is added to the created destination list.

The process execution unit 62 executes the process instructed by the user operating the user interface 22. In this embodiment, for example, the process executes a process of sending the document image read by the document reading unit 44 to a specified destination. One example of the sending process may be sending by email or by facsimile.

The execution screen display determination unit 64 determines information in the execution screen to be displayed when the process is executed by the process execution unit 62. In this embodiment, when the process is executed using the destination information registered in the own device, it is determined that the destination information used is to be displayed on the execution screen. On the other hand, when the destination information is acquired from another device to be linked and the destination information is used to execute the process, it is determined that at least a part of the destination information is to be hidden from the display on the execution screen. As for the part to be hidden, the entire destination information may be hidden, or a part may be hidden to the extent that other people cannot distinguish the destination information even if they see it. For example, when the destination information is an email address of an electronic mail, only a part of the local part of the email address, such as the first character and a few other characters, is displayed, and the rest is hidden using a symbol unrelated to the email address, such as an asterisk, or only the domain of the email address is displayed and the local part is hidden. Alternatively, only the sender and the sending date and time may be displayed, and the destination may be hidden. In addition, the part to be hidden may be configured to be able to be set in advance by operating the user interface 22.

The process history storage determination unit 66 determines whether or not to store the history of the process executed by the process execution unit 62. In this embodiment, in the case of a process executed using destination information registered in the device itself, it is determined that the process history including the destination information used is to be stored. On the other hand, in the case of a process executed by acquiring destination information from another device to be linked, it is determined that the process execution history is not to be stored, or that at least a part of the destination information in the process execution history is not to be stored.

Next, we will explain the specific processing performed by each image forming device 12 in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment, which is configured as described above.

First, the process for registering a linked image forming device 12 that shares registration information such as destination information will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the process flow for registering a linked image forming device 12 that shares information such as destination information in an image forming device 12 of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the process in FIG. 4 starts, for example, when a predetermined login operation is performed via the user interface 22.

In step 100, the CPU 20A performs a login process to authenticate the user, and then proceeds to step 102. That is, the authentication unit 50 authenticates whether the user is a pre-registered user. For example, the user may be authenticated by acquiring card information, by having the user enter a PIN number, or by biometric information such as a fingerprint.

In step 102, the CPU 20A displays a predetermined menu screen on the display of the user interface 22 and proceeds to step 104.

In step 104, the CPU 20A determines whether or not the linked device registration has been selected. This is done by determining whether or not an operation to instruct the registration of the linked device has been performed via the user interface 22. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 106, and if the determination is negative, the series of processes is terminated and other processes are performed.

In step 106, the CPU 20A displays a predetermined linked device registration screen on the display of the user interface 22, and proceeds to step 108. The predetermined linked device registration screen is a screen for setting information about the linked device in order to register the linked device. For example, the screen displays information for specifying the linked image forming device and setting the IP address, etc., to prompt the user to make the settings.

In step 108, the CPU 20A determines whether the registration of the linked device has been canceled. This is done by determining whether the user interface 22 has been operated to instruct the cancellation of the linked device registration. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 110, and if the determination is positive, the series of processes is terminated and other processes are performed.

In step 110, the CPU 20A determines whether or not registration details have been entered. This is done by determining whether or not information about the device to be linked has been entered by the user via the user interface 22 into a predetermined linked device registration screen. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 108 and repeats the above-mentioned process, and if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 112.

In step 112, the CPU 20A registers the information about the linked device that was entered on the linked device registration screen, and ends the series of processes. That is, the linked device registration unit 52 registers devices such as the image forming device 12 that share information such as a destination list, for each user, based on the information entered. This allows processing to be performed using registration information such as destination information for the devices registered for each user.

Next, a specific example of processing that is performed in the image forming device 12 when using a linked device after registration of the linked device is complete will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing when using the linked image forming device 12 in the image forming device 12 of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the processing in FIG. 5 starts, for example, when a user has logged in and been authenticated and an instruction such as displaying a menu screen is given via the user interface 22. As an example, it may be executed consecutively after the processing in FIG. 4 has been performed.

In step 200, the CPU 20A displays a predetermined menu screen on the display of the user interface 22 and proceeds to step 202.

In step 202, the CPU 20A determines whether or not a destination list has been selected. For example, the CPU 20A determines whether or not a process such as scanning an image and sending it to a destination has been selected from a menu screen, and an instruction to display the destination list has been given via the user interface 22. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 204, and if the determination is negative, the process ends and other processes are performed.

In step 204, the CPU 20A displays a predetermined destination search screen on the display of the user interface 22 and proceeds to step 206.

In step 206, the CPU 20A determines whether the destination search has been canceled. This is done by determining whether an operation to cancel the destination search has been performed via the user interface 22. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 208, and if the determination is positive, the process ends and other processes are performed.

In step 208, the CPU 20A determines whether or not search conditions and sort conditions for the destination have been input. This is done by determining whether or not the search conditions and sort conditions have been input by the user via the user interface 22. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 206 and repeats the above-mentioned process, and if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 210.

In step 210, the CPU 20A searches for destinations on the device itself according to the input search and sort conditions, and proceeds to step 212. That is, the device's destination search unit 54 searches for destinations corresponding to the search and sort conditions input via the user interface 22 from among destination lists preregistered on the device itself. The registered destination list on the device itself may be searched from among destination lists registered for each user, or may be searched from among destination lists for all users registered on the device itself.

In step 212, the CPU 20A acquires the search results of the linked destinations for the search conditions and sort conditions, and proceeds to step 214. That is, the other device destination search instruction unit 56 instructs the linked image forming device 12 registered for each user by the linked device registration unit 52 to search for a destination corresponding to the specified conditions when the user operates the user interface 22 to specify the search conditions and sort conditions. Then, the other device destination information acquisition unit 58 acquires destination information corresponding to the conditions from the linked image forming device 12 specified by the other device destination search instruction unit 56. Note that when the other device destination search instruction unit 56 instructs the linked image forming device 12 to search for a destination corresponding to the specified conditions, the linked image forming device 12's own device destination search unit 54 searches for a destination corresponding to the specified conditions from a destination list registered in advance.

In step 214, the CPU 20A adds the search results of the linked device to the search results of the local device, and proceeds to step 216. That is, the destination list creation unit 60 creates a destination list based on the search results of the local device destination search unit 54, and creates a destination list by adding the destination information acquired from the other linked device by the other device destination information acquisition unit 58 to the created destination list. Note that here, information required for sorting in the following step 216 is acquired as the search results from the other linked device. For example, when sorting by name, as shown by the hatching in the upper part of FIG. 6, destination information of only the name is acquired, but not the email address, and the IP address of the linked device is acquired to create a destination list. This saves storage capacity of the image forming device 12. Also, when sorting by email address, at least the destination information of the email address is acquired.

In step 216, the CPU 20A sorts the destination list according to the sorting conditions and proceeds to step 218. That is, the destination list creation unit 60 rearranges the created destination list according to the sorting conditions.

In step 218, CPU 20A extracts the destination information required for one screen display and proceeds to step 220. For example, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 6, when three destinations are to be displayed on one screen, three pieces of destination information are extracted from the destination list created as shown in the upper part of FIG. 6. Note that in the example of FIG. 6, the destination information for "Mr. B" and "Mr. D" shown with hatching indicates the destination information registered in the image forming device 12 to be linked, and the other destination information for "Mr. A" and "Mr. C" indicates the destination information searched for on the device itself.

In step 220, the CPU 20A obtains the destination information of the link target from the extracted destination information, and proceeds to step 222. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, the email address of person B is obtained from the image forming device 12 of the link target.

In step 222, the CPU 20A reflects the acquired destination information in the destination list, displays the destination screen, and ends the series of processes. When displaying the destination information, it may be displayed in a manner that distinguishes whether it is destination information registered in the own device or destination information registered in the image forming device 12 to be linked. For example, the destination information registered in the own device and the registered information registered in the image forming device 12 to be linked may be displayed in different display forms. Alternatively, a mark such as an icon for distinguishing between the registered information registered in the own device and the destination information registered in the image forming device 12 to be linked may be displayed. Specifically, a destination screen as shown in the lower part of FIG. 6 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 6, an example is shown in which the destination information of "Mr. A", "Mr. B", and "Mr. C" is displayed as a search result. As in the example of FIG. 6, the destination information acquired from the image forming device 12 to be linked and the destination information registered in the own device may be displayed in different display forms. The display form may be with or without hatching, may be changed in color, or may be with or without blinking. In the example of FIG. 6, the menu screen is displayed by operating the menu button, the display of the destination list is closed by operating the cancel button, and the screen for executing the process is displayed by selecting any destination information and operating the execute button.

By the process of FIG. 5, in addition to the destination information registered as the registration information of the own device, the destination information registered in the linked device registered for each user is displayed on the destination screen. Here, even the administrator of the own device is not allowed to view the destination information of the linked device registered for each user. Also, in the case of the administrator of the own device, information other than the destination information may be viewable, but can only be deleted.

In the process of FIG. 5, when obtaining the destination information of the link target, a portion of the destination information, such as the name and IP address, is obtained, and then the remaining destination information, such as email addresses, is obtained for the number of destination information required to display one screen, but this is not limited to this. For example, depending on the storage capacity and processing power of the image forming device 12, all destination information may be obtained when obtaining the destination information of the link target.

Next, the specific processing performed by the image forming device 12 when a destination searched for by the processing in FIG. 5 described above is specified and processing is executed will be described. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing when a destination is specified and information read by the image forming device 12 is sent to the destination in the image forming device 12 of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the processing in FIG. 7 is started, for example, when a destination is selected from the destination list displayed by the processing in FIG. 5 and the selected processing is executed after the processing for reading an image and sending it to the destination is selected.

In step 300, the CPU 20A determines whether or not destination information has been selected and execution has been instructed. For example, this determination is made by determining whether or not destination information has been selected from the destination list shown at the bottom of FIG. 6 and the execute button has been operated. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 302. On the other hand, if the cancel button in FIG. 6 has been operated, the determination is negative, the series of processes is terminated, and other processes are performed.

In step 302, the CPU 20A starts executing a preselected process and proceeds to step 304. For example, the process execution unit 62 starts executing a process to read an image and send it to a destination.

In step 304, CPU 20A determines whether the destination information is a destination that has been registered in advance in the device. This determination is made so that the execution screen display determination unit 64 can determine information in the execution screen that is displayed when the process is executed by the process execution unit 62. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 306, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 308.

In step 306, the CPU 20A displays the destination information on a predetermined execution screen and proceeds to step 310. For example, the execution screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. In the execution screen example in FIG. 8, the destination corresponding to the destination information is displayed as "Fuji Taro" and "abcdxyz@fuji.ne.jp" so that the destination information can be viewed, and the sending status is 70%.

Meanwhile, in step 308, part of the destination information is displayed on a predetermined execution screen, or the destination information is not displayed and the process proceeds to step 310. For example, part of the destination information is displayed as hidden as in the execution screen shown in FIG. 9. This maintains security when using a destination registered in the linked image forming device 12. Note that in the execution screen of FIG. 9, the destination corresponding to the destination information is "Sa*Tsugi*" and "a******@F**i.ne.jp", with part of the destination information displayed as asterisks being displayed as an example, where the part of the destination information displayed as asterisks cannot be viewed and the destination information other than the asterisks can be viewed, and 70% of the transmission status is shown.

In step 310, CPU 20A determines whether execution of the process has ended. For example, it determines whether the process of reading the selected image and sending it to the destination has ended. It waits until the determination is positive and then proceeds to step 312.

In step 312, CPU 20A ends the display of the execution screen and proceeds to step 314.

In step 314, CPU 20A determines whether a predetermined deletion condition is met. This determination is made by determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the destination information was acquired from the linked image forming device 12 for each linked destination, or by determining whether the user has logged out. The process waits until the determination is affirmative, and then proceeds to step 316.

In step 316, the CPU 20A deletes the destination information obtained from the linked image forming device 12 and ends the series of processes.

Next, specific processing performed by the image forming device 12 after performing processing using the destination searched by the processing in FIG. 5 described above will be described. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the image forming device 12 in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment after performing processing such as specifying a destination and sending information read by the image forming device 12 to the destination. Note that the processing in FIG. 10 is performed, for example, before the destination information after the processing in step 312 in FIG. 7 is deleted.

In step 400, CPU 20A determines whether or not destination information previously registered in the device has been used. This determination is made by determining whether or not the destination information used was destination information registered in the device, in order for process history storage determination unit 66 to determine whether or not to store the history of the process executed by process execution unit 62. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 402, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 404.

In step 402, CPU 20A stores the history including the destination information and ends the series of processes. In other words, if the destination information used is destination information registered in the device, the history including the destination information is stored in storage 26, etc.

On the other hand, in step 404, the CPU 20A ends the series of processes by storing part of the destination information as history, or without storing history. That is, when the used destination information is destination information registered in the image forming apparatus 12 to be linked, security is maintained when the destination information registered in the image forming apparatus 12 to be linked is used by storing only part of the destination information as history in the storage 26 or the like, or by not storing history. For example, even the administrator of the own device cannot view the history of the destination information of the image forming apparatus 12 to be linked. In this case, for example, after executing a process using the destination information of the image forming apparatus 12 to be linked, the history of the process using the destination information of the image forming apparatus 12 to be linked may be transmitted to the information processing terminal of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 12 to be linked or to the image forming apparatus 12 to be linked. Note that when only part of the destination information is stored as history, for example, in the case of an e-mail, only the domain of the e-mail address may be stored, or only part of the local part may be stored. Alternatively, only the sender and the sending date and time may be stored.

In the process of FIG. 10, an example of storing the history depending on whether the used destination information is the destination information registered in the own device or the destination information registered in the image forming device 12 to be linked has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the history itself may be stored as usual, and when displaying the history, the display method may be changed depending on whether the used destination information is the destination information registered in the own device or the destination information registered in the image forming device 12 to be linked. For example, the process shown in FIG. 11 is performed. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process performed when the history is confirmed in the image forming device 12 of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment after performing a process of specifying a destination and sending information read by the image forming device 12 to the destination. In addition, the process of FIG. 11 is started, for example, when a process of storing the process history including the destination information is performed after the process of step 312 in FIG. 7, and a menu screen or the like is operated after the process of FIG. 7 is completed.

In step 500, the CPU 20A determines whether an instruction to display the execution history has been given. For example, the CPU 20A determines whether an instruction to display the execution history has been given by operating the user interface 22. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 502, and if the determination is negative, the process ends and other specified processing is performed.

In step 502, CPU 20A determines whether there is no execution history. This is done by judging whether there is no execution history. If the judgment is negative, the series of processes ends, and if the judgment is positive, the process proceeds to step 504.

In step 504, CPU 20A determines whether the history is a process that uses the destination information of the link target. If the determination is negative, that is, if the history is a process that uses a destination registered in the own device, the process proceeds to step 506, and if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 508.

In step 506, the CPU 20A displays the history information, including the destination information, on the display of the user interface 22 and proceeds to step 510.

Meanwhile, in step 508, the CPU 20A displays the history on the display of the user interface 22 with at least part of the destination information made unviewable, and proceeds to step 510. This maintains the security of the destination information registered in the linked image forming device 12. For example, even an administrator may hide at least part of the destination information for the linked destination information. In this case, after processing is executed, history information may be sent to the information processing terminal of the administrator of the linked image forming device 12 or to the linked image forming device 12. When displaying part of the destination information as history, for example, in the case of email, only the domain of the email address may be displayed, or part of the local part may be displayed. Alternatively, only the sender and the date and time of sending may be displayed.

In step 510, the CPU 20A determines whether an instruction to end the display of the execution history has been given. For example, the CPU 20A determines whether an instruction to end the display of the execution history has been given by operating the user interface 22. The CPU 20A waits until the determination is affirmative and then proceeds to step 512.

In step 512, the CPU 20A ends the display of the history on the display of the user interface 22 and ends the series of processes.

In the above embodiment, the image forming device 12 has been described as an example of an information processing device, but this is not limited to the image forming device 12. For example, other devices such as a personal computer or an image processing device may also be applied. In addition, while the image forming device 12 has been applied as a device to be linked, the device to be linked is also not limited to the image forming device 12, and similarly, other devices such as a personal computer or an image processing device may also be applied.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

In addition, the processor operations in each of the above embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of each processor operation is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

The processing performed by the image forming device 12 of the information processing system 10 according to the above embodiment may be processing performed by software, processing performed by hardware, or a combination of both. The processing performed by each part of the image forming device 12 may be stored and distributed as a program on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The program may also be downloaded from an external device via a network.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above, and can of course be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

10 Information processing system 12 Image forming apparatus 20 Control unit 20A CPU
52 Linked device registration unit 54 Self-device destination search unit 56 Other device destination search instruction unit 58 Other device destination information acquisition unit 60 Destination list creation unit 62 Processing execution unit 64 Execution screen display determination unit 66 Processing history storage presence/absence determination unit

Claims (17)

a processor, the processor comprising:
Acquire registration information preregistered in the device itself and in each of preregistered devices to be linked;
Executing a predetermined process using the registration information;
When performing the process, if registration information previously registered in the device is used, a history of the registration information can be viewed;
When registration information registered in the device is used, the information processing device performs a process of making at least a part of the history related to the registration information unavailable for viewing , and transmitting the history related to the registration information to an administrator of the device . a processor, the processor comprising:
Acquire registration information preregistered in the device itself and in each of preregistered devices to be linked;
Executing a predetermined process using the registration information;
When performing the process, if registration information previously registered in the device is used, a history of the registration information can be viewed;
When the registration information registered in the device is used, a process is performed to make it impossible to view at least a part of the history related to the registration information,
An information processing device that does not store a history of the processing when an original image is read and sent using destination information as registration information of the device, and stores a history of the processing when an original image is read and sent using destination information of the device itself . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor sets the settings of the device for each user, and acquires registration information of the device set for an authenticated user . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor prevents even an administrator of the apparatus from viewing the registration information registered in the device. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor prevents even an administrator of the device from viewing history related to the registered information when the registered information registered in the device is used . The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the processor, when using registration information registered in the device, transmits a history relating to the registration information to an administrator of the device . An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the processor, when reading and sending an original image using destination information as registration information of the device , does not display the used registration information on an execution screen showing the execution status of the process, and when reading and sending an original image using destination information of the device itself, displays the used registration information on the execution screen . The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor does not store a history of the processing when an original image is read and sent using destination information as registration information of the device, and stores a history of the processing when an original image is read and sent using destination information of the device itself . The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the processor enables viewing of a predetermined part of the registration information registered in the device even when the viewing is disabled . The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the predetermined portion is a portion preset by a user . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further performs a process of setting contents to be stored as the history . An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the processor, when executing the processing, further performs a process of displaying in an identifiable manner whether the acquired registration information is registration information registered in the device itself or registration information registered in the equipment . The information processing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the processor displays the registration information registered in the information processing apparatus itself and the registration information registered in the device in different display formats . 14. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor deletes the registration information acquired from the device when the user logs out, or temporarily stores the registration information for each linked device and deletes it after a predetermined time has elapsed. A plurality of information processing devices according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
An information processing system in which the coordination target devices can be set among the plurality of information processing devices. On the computer,
Acquire registration information preregistered in the device itself and in each of preregistered devices to be linked;
Executing a predetermined process using the registration information;
When performing the process, if registration information previously registered in the device is used, a history of the registration information can be viewed;
An information processing program for executing a process that, when registration information registered on the device is used, makes at least a portion of the history related to the registration information unavailable for viewing, and transmits the history related to the registration information to the administrator of the device. On the computer,
Acquire registration information preregistered in the device itself and in each of preregistered devices to be linked;
Executing a predetermined process using the registration information;
When performing the process, if registration information previously registered in the device is used, a history of the registration information can be viewed;
When the registration information registered in the device is used, a process is performed to make it impossible to view at least a part of the history related to the registration information,
An information processing program for executing a process that does not store a history of the process when an original image is read and sent using destination information as registration information of the device, and stores a history of the process when an original image is read and sent using destination information of the device itself.