JP2005027330A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance availability by quickly recovering a key card device. <P>SOLUTION: An image processor relating to the present invention comprises a key card device for individually managing restriction information or the like on an amount of use by users and when the key card device gets in an abnormal state, log data corresponding to applications are stored in an image processor body. After the key card device is recovered, the log data are forwarded from the image processor body to the key card device to prevent the key card device from being disabled to store log data during a fault of the key card device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus including a key card device that individually manages user restriction information for each application, copy number restriction information for each department, and the like, and more particularly, to quick recovery of the key card device.

A copying machine, a facsimile machine, or the like, which is an image processing apparatus, is provided with a key card device as in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, for example. There is a device that enhances.
JP-A-6-22066

  However, if an abnormality occurs in the key card device, the use of applications where the user is restricted is prohibited, and it will not recover unless the key card device is turned off and then on again. Convenience after the abnormality occurred was not so good.

  The present invention has been made to eliminate such disadvantages, and an object thereof is to improve the utilization efficiency by quickly recovering the key card device.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a key card device that individually manages usage amount restriction information for each user, and stores log data for each application in the device body when the key card device falls into an abnormal state. Then, after the key card device is restored, log data is sent from the device main body to the key card device to prevent the log data during failure of the key card device from being stored in the key card device.

  An image processing apparatus according to another invention includes a key card device that individually manages user restriction information, usage amount restriction information, and the like for each application. When an abnormality occurs in the key card device, the key card device After the restoration, the main body of the apparatus is initialized, and the application when an abnormality occurs in the key card apparatus is left as it is, and other users are prevented from continuing the application by mistake.

  In addition, if the key card device does not recover from the occurrence of an abnormality in the key card device until the predetermined reference time is reached, the key card device is restored and then the device main body is initialized, and the key card device has an abnormality. If the time from recovery to recovery is shorter than a predetermined reference time, the apparatus main body is not brought into an initial state, thereby facilitating recovery from an instantaneous abnormality occurrence.

  In addition, the key card set in the key card device when an abnormality occurs in the key card device is compared with the key card device set in the key card device when the key card device is restored, and both keys are If the card is different, the key card device is restored and the device main body is in the initial state. If both key card devices are equal, the device main body is not in the initial state. And the recovery process is facilitated when the user at the time of occurrence of the abnormality is equal to the user at the time of recovery from the abnormality.

  Further, the other image processing apparatus includes a key card device that individually manages user restriction information and usage amount restriction information for each application. When the key card device falls into an abnormal state, the key card device malfunctions. While in the state, the key card device is periodically reset so that the key card device can be automatically restored.

  In addition, the other image processing apparatus includes a key card device that individually manages user restriction information and usage amount restriction information for each application, and the key card device has entered an abnormal state during the operation of the application. Is detected, the operation of the application is interrupted, the key card device is periodically reset while the key card device is in an abnormal state, and the operation of the interrupted application is automatically resumed when the key card device is restored. , Recover the operation of the application quickly and prevent the interruption state from becoming long.

  Further, the other image processing apparatus includes a key card device that individually manages user restriction information and usage amount restriction information for each application, and the key card device has fallen into an abnormal state during the operation of the application. Is detected, the operation of the application is interrupted, the key card device is periodically reset while the key card device is in an abnormal state, and is interrupted when the key card device is restored within a predetermined period of time. If the key card device recovers after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the application has been automatically resumed, terminate the operation of the application and allow other users to use the device after an error occurs. To prevent sudden restart of application operations before an error occurs.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the use efficiency can be improved by quickly restoring the key card device.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus includes, for example, a copy application unit (hereinafter referred to as a copy application unit) 1, a printer application unit (hereinafter referred to as a printer application unit) 2, a facsimile application unit (hereinafter referred to as a FAX application unit) 3, a system controller. 4, an operation unit controller 5, an image forming controller 6, an image reading controller 7, a peripheral device controller 8, an input / output control unit 9, an operation display unit 10, an image forming unit 11, an image reading unit 12, and a key card device 13.

  The copy application unit 1, the printer application unit 2, and the FAX application unit 3 are a copy application (hereinafter referred to as “copy application”), a printer application (hereinafter referred to as “printer application”), and an application of the image processing apparatus, respectively. Control procedures and the like in a facsimile application (hereinafter referred to as “FAX application”) are stored.

  The system controller 4 includes, for example, a use restriction application storage unit (hereinafter referred to as a use restriction application storage unit) 41, a logging storage unit 42, an application control unit 43, and an abnormality detection unit 44. The use restriction application storage unit 41 stores applications that have use restrictions such as a user restriction, a copy number restriction for each department, and a communication charge restriction. The logging storage unit 42 has the number of copies and the communication fee for each department when the key card device 13 is in an abnormal state and operates an application whose usage is restricted, such as copy number restriction and communication charge restriction. Log data that is usage history data such as. The application control unit 43 is a part that controls the start and stop of the copy application, the printer application, and the FAX application. For example, when the key card device 13 falls into an abnormal state during the operation of an application whose use is restricted. When the operation of the application is interrupted and the key card device 13 falls into an abnormal state during the operation of the application whose use is not restricted, control is performed to continue the operation of the application. The abnormality detection unit 44 detects whether or not the key card device 13 is in an abnormal state based on a signal from the key card device 13 as will be described later.

  The operation unit controller 5, the image forming controller 6, the image reading controller 7, and the peripheral device controller 8 control the operation display unit 10, the image forming unit 11, the image reading unit 12, and the key card device 13 through the input / output control unit 9, respectively. To do. The operation display unit 10 is a part for displaying operation guidance and the like and inputting a copy operation and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a “program registration / call” key 102 used for registration and calling of a program mode is set. "Initial setting" key 104 used at the time, facsimile key group 105 used for assigning a program in the facsimile mode, ten key 106, "application switching" key 107 used for switching each application, and "menu" key used for displaying a menu 108 and the like. Further, the operation display unit 10 includes an LCD 101, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, displays an input guidance such as whether or not to limit the user for each application, and inputs the selection. For example, when the user is restricted in the copy application, “1” is entered from the numeric keypad (not shown) of the operation display unit 10 while the screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, and the user restriction of the copy function is designated. To do. By restricting the user of the copy function, the operation display unit 10 displays a setting screen as shown in FIG. While this screen is displayed, select "1" from the numeric keypad of the operation display unit 10 to select the user restriction, and then press the "execute" key 101a to restrict the user. Set to do. If the “release” key 101b is pressed instead of pressing the “execute” key 101a, the LCD 101 of the operation display unit 10 returns to the system initial setting screen shown in FIG.

  Based on the image image data, the image forming unit 11 forms an image on plain paper or thermal paper by means of, for example, electrophotography, thermal sensitivity, thermal transfer, or ink jet. The image reading unit 12 irradiates a document from a light source unit (not shown), converts the reflected light into an electrical signal by a CCD (not shown), performs necessary image processing, and reads an image from the document. The key card device 13 is provided with a plug-in card reader capable of reading the key card 15 composed of a magnetic card or the like from both sides, and the key card 15 has restrictions such as a user restriction, a use limit for each department, and a communication charge restriction. Reads and writes information and log data that is usage history data such as the number of copies and communication charges for each department. Further, the key card 15 stores the user restriction information and the like, and records an identification code unique to each user in order to identify the user. Hereinafter, this identification code is referred to as a key card identification code.

  Each control unit of the image processing apparatus is divided into functions, for example, an application layer 90, a system control layer 91, and a device control layer 92 as shown in FIG. The application layer 90 includes a copy application unit 1, a printer application unit 2, and a FAX application unit 3, and controls an application as a copying machine, an application as a printer device, and an application as a facsimile device. The system control unit 91 includes a system controller 4, an operation unit controller 5, an image forming controller 6, an image reading controller 7, and a peripheral device controller 8. The system control unit 91 performs various types of control as described above, and each component unit is a resource in units of functions. Management of sharing one resource among multiple applications is performed to realize multitasking operation. The device control layer 92 is a part that drives a mechanical input / output device such as a clutch, a sensor, and a motor based on a command from the system control layer 91 and a logical instruction such as a control signal. Control is transmitted to the operation display unit 10, the image forming unit 11, the image reading unit 12, and the key card device 13, and information from these is transmitted to the system control layer 91.

  In the image processing apparatus configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the copy application 80, the printer application 81, and the FAX application 82 are respectively connected to the virtual operation display units 70 a, 70 b, 70c, and operates as if it controls the virtual image forming units 71a, 71b, 71c and the virtual image reading units 72a, 72b, 72c. For example, when the copy application 80 and the printer application 81 operate, the copy application 80 controls the virtual operation display unit 70a, the virtual image forming unit 71a, and the virtual image reading unit 72a, and the printer application 81 controls the virtual image forming unit 71b. To do. Similarly, when the printer application 81 and the FAX application 82 operate, the printer application 81 controls the virtual image forming unit 71b, and the FAX application 82 controls the virtual operation display unit 70c and the virtual image reading unit 72c. Here, since there is only one resource such as the image forming unit 11 or the like, when resource usage requests by a plurality of applications compete, in order to pass the actual resource usage right, control by exclusive control or time division allocation is performed. There is a need. Whether to perform exclusive control or control by time-sharing allocation differs depending on the type of resource and the setting by the user of the device.

  Next, communication between the system controller 4 and the operation unit controller 5 and the like, communication between the system controller 4 and the copy application unit 1 and the communication between the system controller 4 and the key card device 13 will be described. Here, the case of handshaking using serial communication will be described.

  Here, the transmission speed is 9600 bit / s as the serial communication protocol, the synchronization method is asynchronous (asynchronous), the data length is 8 bits, the start bit and stop bit are 1 bit, and the parity bit is an odd number of bits Is stipulated. Data is transmitted and received in units of frames, and Acknowledge (hereinafter referred to as “ACK”) and Non-Acknowledge (hereinafter referred to as “ACK”) are used to detect communication errors as shown in the state transition diagram showing the state at the receiving station shown in FIG. "NAK"). When the transmitting station receives ACK from the receiving station (step S5), it is assumed that the receiving station has received the frame normally and has taken in the frame (step S7). On the other hand, when the transmitting station receives the NAK from the receiving station (step S4), it assumes that an error on the line (for example, parity error, framing error, etc.) has occurred and resends the transmission frame to recover (step S2). If neither ACK nor NAK is received after a certain time (for example, 300 ms) (a time-out error occurs), the transmitting station resends the transmission frame to recover (step S2). Furthermore, even if the frame is retransmitted several times (for example, four times), if the transmitting station does not receive the ACK, the transmitting station stops transmission because an abnormality has occurred in the receiving station. Here, for example, an ASCII character string (020H to 0ffH) is used for the data frame, 04H is used for ACK, and 05H is used for NAK. Also, 03H is used for Buffer Full (hereinafter referred to as “BFL”) indicating that the buffer is full.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, in the case of a transmitting station, after transmitting a frame (steps S13 and S15), when a NAK or BFL is received, the transmission frame is retransmitted for recovery. Also, if none of ACK, NAK, and BFL is received after a certain period of time (when a timeout error occurs), the transmitting station resends the transmission frame, for example, up to three times to recover ( Steps S14 and S16). Further, if the ACK is not received even after three retransmissions, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the receiving station, a system error is notified (step S17), and transmission is stopped.

  The abnormality detection unit 44 of the system controller 4 detects an abnormality of the key card device 13 as described above when the key card device 13 is a receiving station, or detects an abnormality based on an abnormality detection signal from the key card device 13. Is detected, and the application control unit 43 is notified of abnormality detection.

  An operation when the key card device 13 is in an abnormal state in the image processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the abnormality detection unit 44 detects an abnormality of the key card device 13 (step S21) and any one of the applications is operating (step S22), the application control unit 43 uses the application stored in the use restricted application storage unit 41. A comparison is made with the running application to check whether the running application is an application whose use is restricted. If the operating application is an application whose use is restricted (step S23), the application control unit 43 interrupts the operating application (step S24). As a result, it is possible to prevent an application that does not need to be restricted from being used due to the occurrence of an abnormality in the key card device 13 or a restriction on an application that should be restricted from being used. be able to.

  Thereafter, when an item to be stored is generated (step S25), the application control unit 43 performs logging and stores log data in the logging storage unit 42 (step S26). The application control unit 43 repeats this logging process (steps S25 and S26) until the key card device 13 recovers from the abnormal state (step S27).

  When the key card device 13 recovers from the abnormal state (step S27), the application control unit 43 checks the logging storage unit 42 to check whether there is log data taken during the abnormality of the key card device 13. When there is log data performed during the abnormality of the key card device 13 (step S28), the application control unit 43 sends the log data stored in the logging storage unit 42 to the key card device 13, and the log data is stored in the key card 15. Is registered (step S29). Thereby, it is possible to prevent the log data from being lost even when the key card device 13 is abnormal.

  In the image processing apparatus according to another embodiment, when an abnormality occurs in the key card apparatus 13, the apparatus is initialized after the key card apparatus 13 is restored, and the application when the abnormality occurs in the key card apparatus 13 is left as it is. To prevent other users from accidentally continuing the application.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the system controller 4 of the image processing apparatus includes an application control unit 43, an abnormality detection unit 44, and an abnormal time measurement timer 45. The abnormal time measuring timer 45 starts measuring the time interval when the abnormality detecting unit 44 detects that an abnormality has occurred in the key card device 13 as described above, and when the abnormality of the key card device 13 is recovered, End time interval measurement.

  The operation of the image processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The key card device 13 reads the key card identification code from the key card 15 when the key card 15 is replaced or a new key card 15 is inserted, and the read key card identification code is input via the input / output control unit 9. To the system controller 4. Upon receiving the key card identification code from the key card device 13, the system controller 4 stores the received key card identification code in a memory (not shown) (step S31). When the abnormality detection unit 44 detects the abnormality of the key card device 13 as already described (step S32), the application control unit 43 starts the normal time measurement timer 45 and starts measuring the duration of the abnormal state ( Step S33).

  Thereafter, the system controller 4 periodically sends a command to the key card device 13 to recover the abnormal state, or sends a reset command to the key card device 13 to send an abnormal state to the key card device 13. Is recovered (step S34). When the abnormal state of the key card device 13 is recovered (step S35), the application control unit 43 of the system controller 4 stops the time measurement by the abnormal time measurement timer 45, and the duration of the abnormal state measured by the abnormal time measurement timer 45 is previously determined. The determined reference time is compared. If the duration of the abnormal state does not exceed the reference time, it is assumed that the users before and after the abnormal state are equal, and the process is continued (step S36). As a result, it is possible to reduce a state where it is necessary to re-execute processing, and to shorten the processing time when an abnormal state occurs in the key card device 13.

  If the duration of the abnormal state exceeds the reference time, the system controller 4 reads the key card identification code of the key card device 13 or the key card 15 (step S37), and saves the read key card identification code and the abnormal state before the occurrence of the abnormal state. It is checked whether or not the key card identification codes matched (step S38). If the key card identification code read this time and the key card identification code saved before the occurrence of the abnormal condition do not match, the user before the occurrence of the abnormal condition and the user after recovery from the abnormal condition are different Therefore, the system controller 4 resets the entire apparatus and returns the entire apparatus to the initial state (step S39). As a result, it is possible to prevent an application when an abnormality has occurred in the key card device 13 from being left as it is, and another user from continuing the application by mistake.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus according to another embodiment can operate only an application permitted in advance when the key card device 13 is in an abnormal state, and operates when the key card device 13 is in an abnormal state. Minimize rate drop.

  In this case, the system controller 4 of the image processing apparatus includes an available application storage unit (hereinafter referred to as “available application storage unit”) 46, an application control unit 43, and an abnormality detection unit 44 as shown in FIG. 12. The available application storage unit 46 stores, for example, an application set based on a setting screen for an available application at the time of abnormality of the key card device 13 illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. Here, the application setting method in FIGS. 13 and 14 is the same as the user restriction application setting method in FIGS. 3 and 4.

  The operation of the image processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When an application switching instruction is input while the key card device 13 is abnormal (steps S41 and S42), the application control unit 43 compares the application stored in the available application storage unit 46 with the application instructed to start and starts the application. It is checked whether or not the application instructed is an application registered in advance as an operable application even when the key card device 13 is abnormal. When the application instructed to start is an application that can operate even when the key card device 13 is in an abnormal state (step S43), the application control unit 43 starts the instructed application and performs processing in the application. Start (step S44). As a result, even when the key card device 13 is in an abnormal state, applications that do not need to be restricted can no longer be used, or conversely, the application that should be restricted cannot be restricted. Even when the abnormal state of the key card device 13 is continuing, a decrease in the operating rate of the device can be minimized.

  On the other hand, if the application instructed to start is not an operable application even when the key card device 13 is abnormal (step S43), the application control unit 43 displays a warning screen as shown in FIG. It is displayed that the instructed application cannot be started because the abnormal state of the key card device 13 has not been recovered (step S45). By operating in this way, the user can select an application without being aware of whether or not use is permitted even if the application to be used is in an abnormal state. If it cannot be used, it can be easily known.

  Furthermore, since an application that has been restricted in use when the key card device 13 is in an abnormal state may be in operation, the use is permitted in the abnormal state when the key card device 13 is in an abnormal state. When an application other than an application is in an operating state, the application is automatically terminated, an application that permits use in an abnormal state registered in advance is started, and an application that permits use in an abnormal state is not registered. May display a warning that there is no application that can operate due to an abnormality of the key card device 13. In this way, it is possible to prevent an application that is not permitted to be used from operating when an abnormality has occurred in the key card device 13, and thus it is possible to prevent an application whose use should be restricted from operating.

  Further, the image processing apparatus may automatically reset the key card device 13 when the key card device 13 falls into an abnormal state. In this case, the system controller 4 of the image processing apparatus includes an abnormality detection unit 44, a key card device recovery processing unit 47, an application control unit 43, and an abnormal time measurement timer 45 as shown in FIG.

  When the abnormality detection unit 44 detects an abnormality of the key card device 13, the key card device recovery processing unit 47 periodically performs the operation via the peripheral controller 8 while the abnormality detection unit 44 detects the abnormality of the key card device 13. Thus, a reset signal is output to the key card device 13 to reset the key card device 13. In addition to the operations described above, the application control unit 43 interrupts the operation of the application when the abnormality detection unit 444 detects an abnormality of the key card device 13 during the operation of the application, and the key is not changed within a predetermined period. When the card device 13 recovers, the operation of the interrupted application is automatically resumed.

  The operation of the image processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 18 taking a case where a copy application is being executed as an example.

  When executing the copy application, the magnification, paper, number of sheets set, etc. are displayed on the basic screen as shown in FIG. When the key card device 13 is connected (step S51) and the abnormality detection unit 44 detects an abnormality of the key card device 13 (step S52), the application control unit 43 determines whether there is a job being executed. If there is a job being executed (step S53), the job being executed is interrupted, the state of the interrupted job is stored (step S54), a job interruption flag (not shown) is turned on, and an error is detected. Time measurement by the time measurement timer 45 is started (step S56). As a result, it is possible to prevent the application that should be restricted from being restricted due to the occurrence of an abnormality in the key card device 13. Further, the application control unit 44 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 20, for example, from the LCD 101 of the operation display unit 10 to notify the user that the processing is interrupted due to an error of the key card device. .

  When the abnormality detection unit 44 detects an abnormality of the key card device 13 (step S52), the key card device recovery processing unit 47 sends a reset signal to the key card device 13 via the peripheral controller 8 (step S57). . Thereby, the key card device 13 can be automatically recovered, the state of the entire device can be recovered quickly, and the device operating rate can be increased. Further, when a certain time elapses (for example, about 100 ms), the key card device recovery processing unit 47 checks again whether or not the abnormality detection unit 44 detects an abnormality of the key card device 13, and detects an abnormality. Again outputs a reset signal to the key card device 13 (steps S58, S52 to S57). In this way, while the key card device 13 is in an abnormal state, a reset signal is sent to the key card device 13 at a predetermined fixed period, so that the key card device 13 can be reset after a certain amount of time has passed. Even in such a case, the key card device 13 can be promptly reset, and the device can be recovered quickly and reliably and the operating rate can be increased.

  If the abnormality detection unit 44 has not detected an abnormality in the key card device 13, the application control unit 43 checks whether the job interruption flag is on (step S59). If the job interruption flag is on, an abnormality has occurred in the key card device 13 and the job being executed has been interrupted, so the application control unit 43 has detected an abnormality from the abnormal time measurement timer 45. The elapsed time from the time is read, and if the read elapsed time has not passed the predetermined time (step S60), the status of the interrupted job is read and the interrupted job is resumed (step S61). . Further, the application control unit 43 turns off the job interruption flag and sets that there is no suspended job (step S62). As described above, when the job interruption flag is turned on and the elapsed time since the abnormality is detected does not pass the predetermined time, the job is resumed. It can be automatically restarted, and the processing efficiency can be improved. If the job suspension flag is on and the time elapsed since the abnormality was detected exceeds a predetermined time, the job operation can be performed simply by turning off the job suspension flag. Therefore, when another user uses the apparatus after the occurrence of an abnormality, the operation of the application before the occurrence of the abnormality can be prevented from being resumed.

It is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram of an operation display part. It is a block diagram of the screen which selects a user restriction | limiting by system initial setting. It is a block diagram of the screen which sets a user restriction | limiting in a copy application. It is a block diagram of each layer. It is a conceptual diagram of the access by each application. It is a state transition diagram which shows the communication procedure of a receiving station. It is a state transition diagram which shows the communication procedure of a transmitting station. 6 is a flowchart for interrupting an application when an abnormal state occurs. It is a block diagram of the system controller which performs initial setting according to abnormal continuation time. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in the case of making an initial setting according to abnormal continuation time. It is a block diagram of the system controller which starts according to an application. It is a block diagram of the screen which selects the function which can be used at the time of abnormality by system initial setting. It is a block diagram of the screen which sets a copy application to be usable at the time of abnormality. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in the case of starting according to an application. It is a block diagram of the warning screen on an operation display part. It is a block diagram of the system controller which recovers a key card apparatus automatically. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which resets a key card apparatus. It is a block diagram of the screen during the copy application operation. It is a block diagram of the screen at the time of warning display.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copy application part 2 Printer application part 3 FAX application part 4 System controller 41 Use restriction application memory | storage part 42 Logging memory | storage part 43 Application control part 44 Abnormality detection part 45 Abnormal time measurement timer 46 Available application memory | storage part 10 Operation display part 11 Image Forming unit 12 Image reading unit 13 Key card device 15 Key card

Claims (7)

In an image processing apparatus including a key card device that individually manages usage limit information for each application for each application,
An image processing apparatus that stores log data for each application in an apparatus main body when the key card apparatus falls into an abnormal state, and sends log data from the apparatus main body to the key card apparatus after the key card apparatus is restored. In an image processing apparatus including a key card device that individually manages user restriction information and usage amount restriction information for each application,
An image processing apparatus, wherein when an abnormality occurs in a key card device, the main body of the device is initialized after the key card device is restored.   If the key card device does not recover from the occurrence of an abnormality in the key card device until the predetermined reference time is reached, the key card device is restored and then the device main body is returned to the initial state. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus main body is not brought into an initial state when the time from recovery to recovery is shorter than a predetermined reference time.   Compare the key card that was set in the key card device when the abnormality occurred in the key card device and the key card that was set in the key card device when the key card device was restored, 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus main body is set to an initial state when they are different, and is not set to an initial state when both key cards are equal. In an image processing apparatus including a key card device that individually manages user restriction information and usage amount restriction information for each application,
An image processing apparatus, wherein when the key card device falls into an abnormal state, the key card device is periodically reset while the key card device is in an abnormal state. In an image processing apparatus including a key card device that individually manages user restriction information and usage amount restriction information for each application,
When it is detected that the key card device is in an abnormal state during the operation of the application, the operation of the application is interrupted, and the key card device is periodically reset while the key card device is in the abnormal state. An image processing apparatus that automatically resumes the operation of an interrupted application when the computer is restored. In an image processing apparatus including a key card device that individually manages user restriction information and usage amount restriction information for each application,
When it is detected that the key card device is in an abnormal state during the operation of the application, the operation of the application is interrupted and the key card device is periodically reset while the key card device is in the abnormal state. If the key card device recovers within a certain period, the operation of the interrupted application is automatically resumed. If the key card device recovers after a predetermined period, the operation of the application is terminated. An image processing apparatus.

Images