Image processing apparatus and image processing method

Abstract

An image processing apparatus authorizing the use thereof by carrying out user authentication prevents fraudulent use of the processor and/or a data leak due to a user's forgetting invalidation of authentication or other reason. When a user is authenticated, whether the user is authorized to use a DMFP is determined by comparing the user's input information with the information of an access-authorized person stored in the DMFP. When both information matches, a range of functions available for the user are specified, and the user is authenticated. Subsequently, for example, operation of copy setting is carried out in making setting on the DMFP. When the setting operation is over, whether authentication on the user is invalidated is determined to execute processes of copy setting, etc. In response to a trigger of invalidation of authentication on the user, the processes of copy setting, etc., are started.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the internal structure of a DMFP to which the present invention applies;

FIG. 2 depicts an operation panel of the DMFP, which is in a copy mode;

FIG. 3 depicts the operation panel of the DMFP, which executes an instruction of a changeover of paper supply during the copy mode;

FIG. 4 depicts a user authentication screen image put out by the DMFP of a first embodiment in a user information input mode;

FIG. 5 depicts a key operator program screen image;

FIG. 6 depicts a device setting screen image;

FIG. 7 depicts a security setting screen image;

FIG. 8 depicts a key operator program screen image;

FIG. 9 depicts a user authentication invalidation screen image;

FIG. 10 depicts a user authentication screen image put out by a DMFP of a second embodiment in the user information input mode;

FIGS. 11A and 11B depict job selection screen images;

FIG. 12 depicts a user authentication invalidation screen image;

FIG. 13 depicts an authentication period extension screen image; and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for the DMFP to follow in authenticating a user and executing setting processes.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus processing image data, comprising: an authenticating unit that authenticates a user and invalidates the authentication on the user;a limiting unit that limits a range of use of the image processing apparatus according to a level of authentication made by the authenticating unit;an authorizing unit that authorizes execution of a process within the range of use limited by the limiting unit; andan instructing unit that starts executing the process at a point that authentication on the user is invalidated by the authenticating unit.

2. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which the authenticating unit further providing a determining unit that determines an authentication continuation period after the authentication on a user.

3. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the authentication continuation period determined by the determining unit can be invalidated at any desired time.

4. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a guide unit that puts out a guide display prompting invalidation of authentication after image data processing has been executed.

5. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a unit that sets information of a contact address; anda communication unit that sends various messages to the contact address, whereinthe communication unit sends a message informing of invalidation of authentication on a user to the contact address, when detecting authentication on the user for a time longer than a given time after execution of image data processing.

6. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a nullifying unit that nullifies image data processed completely when image data processing started by the instructing unit has been executed completely.

7. An image processing method for an image processing apparatus processing image data, comprising the steps of: authenticating a user;limiting a range of use of the image processing apparatus according to a level of authentication that is made;authorizing execution of a process within the limited range of use of the image processing apparatus;invalidating authentication on the user; andstarting execution of the process at a point that authentication on the user is invalidated.