INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

• US 20130312085A1
• Filed: 05/09/2013
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Kiyoshi Kasatani, Tsuyoshi Shigemasa
• Inventors: Kasatani, Kiyoshi, Shigemasa, Tsuyoshi
• Granted Patent: US 9,038,165 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/00 Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof

Abstract

According to an embodiment, there is provided is an information processing apparatus including: a storage unit that stores therein information, which is set for a screen to be displayed on an information display unit, as to whether or not to permit an external input device to enter data to the information processing apparatus, and information as to whether or not to permit data entered from an external input device; an external-input-unit control unit that controls data entry to the screen from an external input device by utilizing information about a type of the external input unit and the information as to whether or not to permit the external input unit to enter data; and an input-key control unit that controls the data entry permitted by the external-input-unit control unit by consulting the information as to whether or not to permit data entered from the external input unit.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a storage unit configured to store therein information as to whether or not to permit an external input device to enter data to the information processing apparatus, the information being set for a screen to be displayed on an information display unit, and information as to whether or not to permit data entered from an external input device;

an external-input-unit control unit configured to control data entry to the screen from an external input device by utilizing information about a type of the external input unit and the information that is set for the screen as to whether or not to permit the external input unit to enter data; and

an input-key control unit that controls the data entry permitted by the external-input-unit control unit by consulting the information as to whether or not to permit data entered from the external input unit.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the storage unit stores therein, as the information as to whether or not to permit data entered from the external input unit, an input-key control table for containing prohibited key sequences, and

when the external input unit is permitted to enter data, the input-key control unit discards data entry, entry of which is prohibited, by consulting the input-key control table.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information that is set for the screen as to whether or not to permit an external input device to enter data to the information processing apparatus is configured as an operation permission table for containing operation permission assigned to any one of the screen and an input field arranged on the screen.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external input unit is a human interface device.

5. An information processing system comprising:

an information processing apparatus configured to include an information display unit, receive data entered via the information display unit, and transfer the data over a network; and

a server unit configured to allow a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected to one another via a network to carry out mutual communications by receiving data from one of the information processing apparatuses and transferring the data to at least another one of the information apparatuses, wherein

the information processing apparatus includes

a storage unit configured to store therein information as to whether or not to permit an external input device to enter data to the information processing apparatus, the information being set for a screen to be displayed on the information display unit, and information as to whether or not to permit data entered from an external input device,

an external-input-unit control unit configured to control data entry to the screen from an external input device by utilizing information about a type of the external input unit and the information that is set for the screen as to whether or not to permit the external input unit to enter data, and

an input-key control unit configured to control the data entry permitted by the external-input-unit control unit by consulting the information as to whether or not to permit data entered from the external input unit.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein

the storage unit stores therein, as the information as to whether or not to permit data entered from the external input unit, an input-key control table for containing prohibited key sequences, and

when the external input unit is permitted to enter data, the input-key control unit discards data entry, entry of which is prohibited, by consulting the input-key control table.

7. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the information that is set for the screen as to whether or not to permit an external input device to enter data to the information processing apparatus is configured as an operation permission table for containing operation permission assigned to any one of the screen and an input field arranged on the screen.

8. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the information processing system is a video conference system.

9. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium that contains a computer program that, when executed by an information processing apparatus, cause the information processing apparatus to perform a method comprising:

storing information as to whether or not to permit an external input device to enter data to the information processing apparatus, the information being set for a screen to be displayed on an information display unit, and information as to whether or not to permit data entered from an external input device;

controlling data entry to the screen from an external input device by utilizing information about a type of the external input unit and the information that is set for the screen as to whether or not to permit the external input unit to enter data; and

controlling the data entry that is permitted by consulting the information as to whether or not to permit data entered from the external input unit.