U.S. patent application number 11/470151 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-12 for image processing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to MURATA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Kenji Dokuni, Masayuki Kanou.
Application Number | 20070083752 11/470151 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37912173 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070083752 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kanou; Masayuki ; et
al. |
April 12, 2007 |
Image Processing Device
Abstract
A low-cost Multi Function Peripheral (MFP) prevents a user from
forgetting to cancel an authenticated state. The MFP includes a
scanner unit, a printer unit, a touch screen, and a reset key for
initializing various settings. When the user is authenticated, the
MFP accepts various operations. Under a state in which the user is
authenticated, when the reset key is operated, a control unit
executes a logout process
Inventors: |
Kanou; Masayuki; (Kyoto-shi,
JP) ; Dokuni; Kenji; (Kyoto-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOGAN & HARTSON L.L.P.
1999 AVENUE OF THE STARS
SUITE 1400
LOS ANGELES
CA
90067
US
|
Assignee: |
MURATA KIKAI KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Kyoto-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
37912173 |
Appl. No.: |
11/470151 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
713/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/4413 20130101;
H04L 63/08 20130101; H04N 1/00928 20130101; H04N 1/4433 20130101;
H04N 2201/0094 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/156 |
International
Class: |
H04L 9/00 20060101
H04L009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 7, 2005 |
JP |
2005-295729 |
Claims
1. An image processing device comprising: a storage unit which
stores prescribed data indicating that a user has been
authenticated; an initialization operation unit arranged to
initialize an operation and a setting relating to an image
processing; and a deletion unit which deletes the prescribed data
when the initialization operation unit is operated under a state in
which the prescribed data is stored in the storage unit.
2. The image processing device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a display unit which displays an indication to delete
the prescribed data when the initialization operation unit is
operated; and an accepting unit which accepts an instruction to
delete the prescribed data after the display unit displays the
indication to delete the prescribed data, wherein when the
accepting unit accepts the instruction to delete the prescribed
data, the deletion unit deletes the prescribed data.
3. The image processing device according to claim 2, further
comprising an initialization unit which initializes the setting
relating to the image processing when the initialization operation
unit is operated again after the display unit displays the
indication to delete the prescribed data.
4. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the
image processing is printing.
5. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the
image processing is scanning.
6. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the
image processing is facsimile communication.
7. The image processing device according to claim 2, wherein the
image processing is printing.
8. The image processing device according to claim 2, wherein the
image processing is scanning.
9. The image processing device according to claim 2, wherein the
image processing is facsimile communication.
10. The image processing device according to claim 3, wherein the
image processing is printing.
11. The image processing device according to claim 3, wherein the
image processing is scanning.
12. The image processing device according to claim 3, wherein the
image processing is facsimile communication.
13. A method for canceling an authenticated state in an image
processing device comprising: determining whether an initialization
operation unit has been operated; if the initialization operation
unit is operated, obtaining an indication of whether the
authenticated state should or should not be canceled; and if an
indication that the authenticated state should be canceled is
obtained, executing a logout process.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of
determining whether an initialization operation unit has been
operated comprises: detecting whether a reset key has been
pressed.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of obtaining
an indication of whether the authenticated state should or should
not be canceled comprises: displaying a confirmation screen with an
indication to either accept or not accept cancellation of the
authenticated state.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of obtaining
an indication of whether the authenticated state should or should
not be canceled further comprises: obtaining an indication of
whether the initialization operation unit has been operated
again.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein if the initialization
unit has been operated again, various settings of the image
processing device are initialized.
18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the logout process
comprises deleting prescribed data indicating that authentication
of the user has succeeded.
19. A method for canceling an authenticated state in an image
processing device comprising: determining whether a reset key has
been pressed; if the reset key has been pressed, providing an
option to: (1) accept cancellation of the authenticated state; (2)
not accept cancellation of the authenticated state: or (3) proceed
with reset of the image processing device settings; if cancellation
of the authenticated state is accepted, executing a logout process
wherein prescribed data indicating that authentication has
succeeded is deleted.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the step of providing
the option comprises displaying a logout confirmation screen with
soft keys for logout, cancellation of logout or reset.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 in
Japanese patent application no 2005-295729, filed on Oct. 7, 2005,
which application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image processing device
such as a Multi Function Peripheral (MFP) including a copy
function, a facsimile function and a scanner function or the like,
a copier and a facsimile machine. In particular, the present
invention relates to an image processing device which carries out
an authentication of a user and cancellation of the
authentication.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A conventional MFP carries out authentication of a user by
accepting an entry of a user ID and a password and sending an
inquiry to an authentication server. When the authentication
succeeds, the MFP offers a facsimile function, a copy function or a
scanner function to the user. Specifically, the MFP transmits the
accepted user ID and the password to the authentication server via
a network such as a Local Area Network (LAN) and the Internet, and
requests the authentication. Then, the MFP receives information
indicating an authentication result from the authentication server.
When the MFP determines that the authentication has succeeded in
accordance with the received authentication result, the MFP offers
various functions to the user.
[0006] The conventional MFP includes a logout key, an operation
panel, and a reset key or the like. The logout key is operated for
accepting an instruction to cancel a state in which the user is
authenticated. The operation panel accepts a setting for various
functions. For example, the operation panel accepts a setting
regarding a number of sets of copies for the copy function, and a
setting regarding an image quality or the like for the facsimile
function. The reset key is operated for initializing the
setting.
[0007] The MFP configured as described above offers various
functions to only a pre-registered prescribed user.
[0008] After the user uses the MFP, the user may forget to operate
the logout key and walk away from the MFP without canceling the
authenticated state. When the user walks away from the MFP without
operating the logout key, other non-authenticated users may freely
operate the MFP. This is not preferable from an aspect of
security.
[0009] The above-described problem occurs not only with the MFP but
also with an image processing device such as a copier and a
facsimile machine including an authentication function.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention has been made in order to overcome the
problems described above. Since a user habitually initializes
various settings by operating a reset key at an end of an operation
of the image processing device, the reset key is less likely to be
forgotten to be operated compared with a logout key. Thus, an
advantage of the present invention is to provide an image
processing device which prevents the user from forgetting to cancel
an authenticated state by configuring the image processing device
to cancel the authenticated state when the reset key is
operated.
[0011] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an
image processing device which visually urges a user to cancel an
authenticated state by configuring the image processing device to
display an indication to cancel the authenticated state and to
accept cancellation of the authenticated state when a reset key is
operated.
[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an
image processing device which utilizes an existing reset key as an
operation key for canceling an authenticated state and initializing
various settings by configuring the image processing device to
initialize various settings when the reset key is operated again
under a state in which the reset key is operated and an indication
to cancel an authenticated state is displayed. Further, such an
image processing device can be manufactured economically.
[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, when a
storage unit of an image processing device stores prescribed data
indicating that a user has been authenticated, the image processing
device accepts an operation and a setting relating to an image
processing. The image processing device includes an initialization
operation unit arranged to initialize the setting relating to the
image processing. The image processing device also includes a
deletion unit arranged to delete the prescribed data when the
storage unit stores the prescribed data and the initialization
operation unit is operated.
[0014] Under a state in which the storage unit stores the
prescribed data indicating the state in which the user has been
authenticated, when the initialization operation unit, e.g., a
reset key is operated, the deletion unit deletes the prescribed
data stored in the storage unit. That is, under a state in which
the user is authenticated, when the initialization operation unit
is operated, the deletion unit executes a process for canceling the
state in which the user is authenticated. Since the user habitually
initializes various settings after an operation of the image
processing device has been completed, the user is less likely to
forget to operate the initialization operation unit than a logout
key. Therefore, compared with a conventional image processing
device which cancels the authenticated state when the logout key is
operated, the user is less likely to forget the operation for
canceling the authenticated state.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
image processing device also includes a display unit and an
accepting unit. When the initialization operation unit is operated,
the display unit displays an indication to delete the prescribed
data. When the display unit displays the indication to delete the
prescribed data, the accepting unit accepts an instruction to
delete the prescribed data. When the accepting unit accepts the
instruction to delete the prescribed data, the deletion unit
deletes the prescribed data.
[0016] When the initialization operation unit is operated, the
display unit displays the indication to delete the prescribed data,
i.e., an indication to cancel the authenticated state. Then, the
accepting unit accepts the instruction to delete the prescribed
data. When the accepting unit accepts the instruction to delete the
prescribed data, the deletion unit deletes the prescribed data,
i.e., cancels the authenticated state.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
image processing device also includes an initialization unit which
initializes the setting relating to the image processing when the
display unit displays the indication to delete the prescribed data
and the initialization operation unit is operated.
[0018] Under a state in which the display unit is displaying the
indication to cancel the authenticated state, when the
initialization operation unit is operated, the image processing
device initializes the setting relating to the image processing.
Therefore, the initialization operation unit may also function as
an operation key for initializing the setting and canceling the
authenticated state.
[0019] According to these aspects of the present invention, since
the authenticated state is cancelled when the initialization
operation unit is operated, it is possible to prevent the user from
forgetting to cancel the authenticated state.
[0020] According to these aspects of the present invention, by
displaying the indication to cancel the authenticated state and
accepting an instruction to cancel the authenticated state, the
image processing device can urge the user to cancel the
authenticated state.
[0021] According to these aspects of the present invention, the
existing initialization operation unit may also function as an
operation key for initializing the setting and canceling the
authenticated state. Accordingly, the image processing device may
be manufactured more economically. The user may wish to cancel the
authenticated state, or wish to initialize the setting while
maintaining the authenticated state. The image processing device
according to the present invention can select either canceling or
initializing according to a demand of the user.
[0022] Other features, elements, processes, steps, characteristics
and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent
from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of
the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an
MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication protocol
of a control unit relating to authentication of a user and
cancellation of an authenticated state.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a display unit displaying an indication
to accept cancellation of an authenticated state, and a reset
key.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a
configuration of an MFP M according to an embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, the MFP M includes a network
authentication function. When a user is authenticated, the MFP M
offers a copy function, a facsimile function, a scanner function or
the like to the user.
[0027] Reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit including a
Central Processing Unit (CPU). The MFP M includes a scanner unit 3,
an image memory 6, and a printer unit 5. The scanner unit 3 scans
an original document, and acquires image data of the original
document. The image memory 6 temporarily stores the acquired image
data. The printer unit 5 prints an image onto paper in accordance
with the image data stored in the image memory 6. The control unit
1 controls acquiring and printing of the image data via a bus 13 to
realize the copy function.
[0028] A Read Only Memory (ROM) 10 and a Random Access Memory (RAM)
8 are connected to the bus 13. The ROM 10 includes a flash memory,
and stores various control programs necessary for an operation of
the MFP M. The control unit 1 fetches a control program stored in
the ROM 10 to the RAM 8 and executes the control program to realize
various functions such as the copy function and the facsimile
function of the MFP M.
[0029] The scanner unit 3 includes a light source that irradiates
light on the original document, and an optical element such as a
line Charge Coupled Device (CCD) that converts reflected light
reflected from the original document into an electric signal. The
scanner unit 3 acquires image data of the original document in
accordance with the electric signal converted by the line CCD. The
scanner unit 3 provides the acquired image data to the image memory
6.
[0030] The printer unit 5 is an electrophotographic printer device
including a photoconductive drum and a fixing unit or the like. The
printer unit 5 includes a flash ROM (not illustrated) that stores a
program for a printing process. The printer unit 5 prints an image
relating to the image data onto paper in accordance with the
program stored in the flash ROM.
[0031] The MFP M also includes a Network Control Unit (NCU) 2, a
Modulator Demodulator (MODEM) 4, and a Coder Decoder (CODEC) 11.
The NCU 2 and the MODEM 4 transmit and receive the image data by
facsimile communication. The CODEC 11 encodes and decodes
transmission image data and received image data by a prescribed
encoding scheme, e.g., the Modified Huffman (MH), the Modified
Relative Address Designate (MR), or the Modified MR (MMR) coding
scheme. The control unit 1 controls transmission and reception of
the image data, scanning of the original document, and printing of
an image to realize the facsimile function.
[0032] The MODEM 4 is connected to the bus 13. The MODEM 4 includes
a function for demodulating analog image data input from a Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) into digital image data. The
MODEM 4 also includes a function for modulating image data provided
from the image memory 6 via the bus 13 into an analog signal by a
control of the control unit 1.
[0033] The NCU 2 is a hardware which carries out an operation of
making and breaking the PSTN and a communication line 14. The NCU 2
connects the MODEM 4 and the PSTN according to the control of the
control unit 1.
[0034] The CODEC 11 encodes the image data scanned by the scanner
unit 3, and provides the encoded image data to the MODEM 4
according to the control of the control unit 1. The CODEC 11 also
decodes the image data received by the facsimile communication, and
stores the decoded image data in the image memory 6.
[0035] The MFP M also includes a LAN interface 12. The LAN
interface 12 is an interface for transmitting and receiving image
data, data relating to authentication of a user or the like to and
from a remote device via the LAN 15.
[0036] A remote authentication server (A) is connected to the LAN
interface 12 via the LAN 15. The authentication server (A) includes
a directory and a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
server. The directory previously stores a user ID and a password of
each user for authenticating a user of the MFP M. The LDAP server
transmits data of an authentication result indicating success or
failure of the authentication to the MFP M according to a request
of the MFP M.
[0037] An operation unit 9 and a display unit 7 are connected to
the bus 13 for operating the MFP M.
[0038] The display unit 7 includes a liquid crystal display that
displays an operation state of the MFP M, and a soft key for
operating the MFP M.
[0039] The display unit 9 includes a resistive or a capacitance
touch screen 9b arranged on the display unit 7. The operation unit
9 accepts an operation performed on the soft key displayed on the
display unit 7 to enable the control unit 1 to detect the operation
state of the touch screen 9b. The operation unit 9 includes
push-button typed keys, a ten-key numeric pad, and a reset key 9a.
The ten-key numeric pad is arranged for setting a number of sets to
be printed and for accepting a user ID and a password, for example.
The reset key 9a is arranged for initializing various settings such
as a number of sets to be printed.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing protocol of
the control unit 1 relating to the authentication of the user and
cancellation of an authenticated state. When power is turned on,
the control unit 1 authenticates a user who will use the MFP M
(step SI). Specifically, the display unit 7 displays an entry image
requesting the user to enter a user ID and a password, and the
control unit 1 accepts the user ID and the password. Then, the
control unit 1 transmits the accepted user ID and the password
along with data requesting the authentication to the authentication
server (A) via the LAN interface 12. When the authentication server
(A) receives the data, the authentication server (A) determines
success or failure of the authentication by comparing the user ID
and the password, which are previously registered in the
authentication server (A), with the received user ID and the
password. Then, the authentication server (A) transmits data of an
authentication result indicating success or failure of the
authentication to the MFP M via the LAN 15. The control unit 1
receives the data transmitted from the authentication server
(A).
[0041] Next, the control unit 1 determines success or failure of
the authentication in accordance with the received data (step S2).
When the control unit 1 determines that the authentication has
failed (step S2: NO), the control unit 1 returns the process to
step S1.
[0042] When the control unit 1 determines that the authentication
has succeeded (step S2: YES), the control unit 1 stores the
authentication result, i.e., prescribed data indicating that the
authentication has succeeded, in the RAM 8 (step S3).
[0043] Next, the control unit 1 detects an operation state of the
reset key 9a to determine whether or not the reset key 9a has been
pressed (step S4).
[0044] When the control unit 1 determines that the reset key 9a has
not been pressed (step S4: NO), the control unit 1 determines
whether or not a key other than the reset key 9a or the touch
screen 9b has been operated (step S5).
[0045] When a determination is made that the other key or the touch
screen 9b has been operated (step S5: YES), the control unit 1
executes a prescribed process according to the operated key or an
operated portion on the touch screen 9b (step S6). For example, the
control unit 1 executes a process for starting a printing
operation. Alternatively, the control unit 1 executes a process for
storing an entered number of sets to be printed, or a setting of an
image quality or the like in the RAM 8. Then, the control unit 1
returns the process to step S4. When a determination is made that
the other key or the touch screen 9b has not been operated (step
S5: NO), the control unit 1 returns the process to step S4.
[0046] When a determination is made at step S4 that the reset key
9a has been operated (step S4: YES), the control unit 1 displays a
logout confirmation screen and a soft key of a logout key and a
cancel key on the display unit 7 (step S7). Further, the logout
confirmation screen displays an indication to accept cancellation
of the authenticated state.
[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates the display unit 7 displaying an
indication to accept cancellation of the authenticated state, and
the reset key 9a. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the display unit 7
displays characters of "DO YOU LOGOUT?", a logout key and a cancel
key at the process of step S7.
[0048] After the process of step S7, the control unit 1 detects the
operation state of the reset key 9a to determine whether or not the
reset key 9a has been pressed (step S8). When a determination is
made that the reset key 9a has been pressed (step S8: YES), the
control unit 1 initializes various settings (step S9).
Specifically, the control unit 1 returns the number of sets to be
printed and the setting of the image quality or the like stored in
the RAM 8 at the process of step S6 to a default setting stored in
the ROM 10. When a determination is made that the reset key 9a has
not been pressed (step S8: NO), the control unit 1 detects the
operation state of the touch screen 9b to determine whether or not
the logout key has been operated (step S10).
[0049] When a determination is made that the logout key has been
operated (step S10: YES) , the control unit 1 executes a logout
process (step S11), and returns the process to step S1.
Specifically, the control unit 1 deletes the prescribed data stored
in the RAM 8 indicating that the authentication of the user has
succeeded.
[0050] When a determination is made that the logout key has not
been operated (step S10: NO), the control unit 1 detects the
operation state of the touch screen 9b to determine whether or not
the cancel key has been operated (step S12).
[0051] When a determination is made that the cancel key has been
operated (step S12: YES), the control unit 1 returns the process to
step S4. When a determination is made that the cancel key has not
been operated (step S12: NO), the control unit returns the process
to step S8.
[0052] In the above-described MFP M, when the reset key 9a is
pressed under a state in which the user is authenticated, the
display unit 7 displays an indication to cancel the authenticated
state and the MFP M accepts the cancellation of the authenticated
state. Therefore, the MFP M can urge the user to cancel the
authenticated state, and prevent the user from forgetting to cancel
the authenticated state. Moreover, the user may wish to cancel the
authenticated state, or to initialize the setting while maintaining
the authenticated state. The user may select either canceling or
initializing according to a demand of the user.
[0053] The existing reset key 9a may also function as an operation
key for initializing various settings and for canceling the
authenticated state. In such a case, compared with an MFP including
the reset key 9a and the logout key, the MFP can be manufactured
economically.
[0054] Further, the above-described embodiment relates to the MFP.
However, the present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiment. The present invention is applicable to
an image processing device, such as a copier and a facsimile
machine, including a user authentication function.
[0055] The above-described embodiment relates to the MFP including
the network authentication function. However, the present invention
is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The MFP may
include a storage unit storing data necessary for the
authentication, and the MFP may carry out the authentication.
Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the prescribed data
indicating that the authentication has been carried out is stored
in the RAM. However, the prescribed data may be stored in another
storage unit.
[0056] While the present invention has been described with respect
to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways
and may assume many embodiments other than those specifically set
out and described above. Accordingly, the appended claims are
intended to cover all modifications of the present invention that
fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *