JP4089715B2 - Image forming apparatus, operation control method thereof, and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a fax machine, and a printer, an operation control method for the apparatus, and the program, which can prevent unauthorized use based on theft or the like.

  In general, an image forming apparatus, particularly a color copying machine, needs to be configured to prevent counterfeiting of banknotes and securities. For example, there exists a copying machine configured to specify a copying machine using a copy by printing a model number or a serial number of the copying machine on a copy, and to specify the user.

  In such a copying machine, it is possible to determine the copying machine used for copying from the serial number printed on counterfeit banknotes or securities. However, it is difficult to identify a forged criminal if the copying machine is unfairly moved due to theft or the like.

  Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which a means for detecting a theft is provided, and when the theft is detected, the printing operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited so that the thief cannot use it.

  As one of them, conventionally, it is required to input the user's password after the power is turned on. When the password is input, it is checked against the registered user's password. If the input password matches the registered password, it communicates with the host computer. A technique is known in which the operation of the image forming apparatus is permitted if the communication is established (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, a magnetic sensor is provided in the image forming apparatus, and a detection member corresponding to the magnetic sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the installation location of the image forming apparatus, and when the image forming apparatus is moved, the magnetic sensor and the detection member Thus, a technique has been proposed in which the movement is detected and the operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP-A-8-195880 JP-A-8-194413

  However, in the former known technology, the user must input a password every time the power is turned on, which is troublesome, and a user who wants to use the image forming apparatus remembers his / her password. There was a need.

  Furthermore, for the password input operation, it takes a considerable time until the printer is actually ready for printing after the power is turned on. That is, in addition to the up time until the image forming apparatus becomes operable, the time required for the password input operation is required, so that it is difficult to print immediately after the power is turned on.

  Further, in the latter publicly known technique, it is necessary to install an image forming apparatus movement detection mechanism such as the magnetic sensor and the detection member, which increases the manufacturing cost and the image forming apparatus includes the magnetic sensor and the detection member. In the case of being stolen, there is a problem that the theft cannot be detected.

  In addition, since the magnetic sensor is expected to be fixed so that it cannot be easily removed, there is an inconvenience that even if the user wants to move the image forming apparatus to change the usage environment, the movement cannot be easily performed. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and does not require an operation of inputting a password every time the power is turned on. Further, an illegal operation based on theft of the image forming apparatus without providing a special movement detection mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can be prevented from use, an operation control method for the apparatus, and the program.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) Flag setting means for setting a movement permission flag having two states, a state where the movement of the own device is permitted and a state where the movement is prohibited, and a movement permission flag storage unit which stores the set movement permission flag And a state detecting means for detecting the state of the own apparatus, and a determination means for determining whether the own apparatus has moved based on the state of the own apparatus detected by the state detecting means after the power of the own apparatus is turned on. And when the determination means determines that the apparatus has moved and the movement permission flag stored in the movement permission flag storage means is in a movement prohibited state, And when the movement permission flag stored in the movement permission flag storage means is in a movement-permitted state after the power is turned on, the control means includes the display means. Image forming apparatus characterized by displaying an input screen of the network environment.
(2) comprising password storage means for storing the user's password, password acceptance means for accepting an externally input password, and password comparison means for comparing the accepted password with the stored password, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flag setting unit sets the movement permission flag to a movement permission state when the password received by the password comparison unit matches a stored password. .
(3) comprising password storage means for storing the user's password, password acceptance means for accepting an externally input password, and password comparison means for comparing the accepted password with the stored password. The control unit requests input of a password after limiting the job execution operation, and when the input password matches the password stored in the password storage unit, the restriction on the job execution operation is released. The image forming apparatus according to 1 above.
(4) The state detection unit detects a state by detecting a device directly connected to the own device, and the determination unit is different from the connection device before the power is turned off in the connected device after the power is turned on. 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein it is determined that the apparatus has moved.
(5) Communication setting storage means for storing communication settings for communicating with external devices on the network is provided, and the state detection means detects the network environment by performing communication based on the stored communication settings. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the apparatus has moved when the network environment after power-on is different from the network environment before power-off.
(6) The state detection unit performs state detection by calculating a power-off time, and the determination unit determines that the own device has moved when the calculated power-off time exceeds an allowable time. 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1 above.
(7) When it is determined by the determination means that the apparatus has moved, and the movement permission flag stored in the movement permission flag storage means is in a movement prohibited state, the control means is stored in the apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1 above, wherein the deleted information is deleted.
(8) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the restriction of the job execution operation by the control unit is prohibition of a printing operation.
(9) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the control unit displays the network environment input screen on the display unit only when the network environment is changed.
(10) a step of setting a movement permission flag having two states, a state where the movement of the image forming apparatus is permitted and a state where the movement is prohibited; a step of storing the set movement permission flag; and the image forming apparatus Detecting the state of the image forming apparatus, determining whether or not the image forming apparatus has moved based on the detected state of the image forming apparatus after turning on the power of the image forming apparatus, and determining the image by the determining step. When it is determined that the forming apparatus has moved, and the stored movement permission flag is in a movement prohibited state, the step of restricting the job execution operation and the stored movement permission flag are moved after the power is turned on. And displaying the network environment input screen on the display means when it is in the permitted state. Your way.
(11) a step of setting a movement permission flag having two states, a state where the movement of the image forming apparatus is permitted and a state where the movement is prohibited, a step of storing the set movement permission flag, and the image forming apparatus Detecting the state of the image forming apparatus, determining whether or not the image forming apparatus has moved based on the detected state of the image forming apparatus after turning on the power of the image forming apparatus, and determining the image by the determining step. When it is determined that the forming apparatus has moved, and the stored movement permission flag is in a movement prohibited state, the step of restricting the job execution operation and the stored movement permission flag are moved after the power is turned on. If it is permitted, an image forming apparatus for causing the computer to execute a step of displaying a network environment input screen on the display means. Operation control program.

  According to the invention described in (1) above, after the power of the own device is turned on, the presence or absence of movement of the own device is determined by the determining means based on the state of the own device detected by the state detecting means. . When it is determined that the own apparatus has moved and the movement permission flag stored in the movement permission flag storage means is in a movement prohibited state, the job execution operation is restricted.

  In other words, the job execution operation is restricted on the premise that the movement permission flag stored in the movement permission flag storage means is in a movement prohibited state, and the movement permission flag is in a movement prohibited state permission state. Sometimes, the job execution operation is not limited regardless of the determination result of movement. For this reason, when the user moves by himself / herself for rearrangement etc., the administrator user or the like sets the movement permission flag in the movement permission state in advance, and turns on the power after the movement. However, since the job execution operation is not limited, it is not necessary to input a password every time the power is turned on. In addition, the waiting time after the power is turned on can be shortened by the amount of the operation, and can be used early.

  In addition, it is not necessary to provide a movement detection mechanism such as a magnetic sensor for detecting movement due to theft of the image forming apparatus, and unless the administrator user permits the movement of the image forming apparatus, When the movement is detected, the operation restriction is executed, so that illegal use by the theft can be surely prevented.

In addition, since only an administrator user needs to perform user operations such as setting a movement permission flag, the password does not need to be known by all users, and the security effect is improved. When the movement permission flag is in a movement permission state, a screen for inputting the network environment is displayed on the display means when the power is turned on, and the network environment can be input from the screen.

  According to the invention described in item (2) above, when the input password matches the password stored in the apparatus, the movement permission flag is automatically set to the movement permission state. Therefore, when the administrator user or the like permits the movement, it is only necessary to input the password. After the next power-on, the job execution operation is not limited, and the image forming apparatus is used immediately. Can do.

  According to the invention described in item (3) above, even after the job execution operation is restricted, the restriction can be released by inputting a regular password, so the movement permission flag is set to the movement permission state. This is convenient when the user forgets to set and moves the image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention described in item (4) above, a device directly connected to the image forming apparatus when the power is turned off, such as a personal computer, a hard disk drive (HDD), a DVD drive, or a CD-ROM drive, is detected. If stored, if the device detected when the power is turned on thereafter is different from the stored device, it can be determined that the image forming apparatus has been moved.

  According to the invention described in (5) above, if communication settings such as the IP address of an external host computer are stored, for example, when the power is turned on, the stored IP address is accessed and communication is performed. If is not established, it can be determined that the image forming apparatus has been moved.

  According to the invention described in item (6), when the power is turned on, the power off time is calculated from the time and the previous power off time, and if the calculated power off time exceeds the allowable time, the image is displayed. It can be determined that the forming apparatus has been moved.

  According to the invention described in item (7) above, when it is determined that the image forming apparatus has moved and the movement permission flag is in a movement prohibited state, the information stored in the apparatus is deleted. Information is not abused, and security can be further increased.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (8), when it is determined that the apparatus has moved and the movement permission flag is in the movement prohibited state, the printing operation can be prohibited.

According to the invention as described in the preceding paragraph (9), only if the network environment is changed, since a screen for inputting a network environment is displayed on the display unit, it is efficient.

According to the invention described in the above item (10) , when the movement permission flag is in the movement prohibited state permission state, the job execution operation is not restricted regardless of the determination result of the movement presence / absence. Can be moved without any problems for relocation, etc., and it is not necessary to enter a password every time the power is turned on. The waiting time after turning on the power can be shortened by the amount, and it can be used early.

  In addition, it is not necessary to provide a movement detection mechanism such as a magnetic sensor for detecting movement of the image forming apparatus due to theft or the like, and unless the administrator user or the like permits the movement of the image forming apparatus. When the movement is detected, the operation restriction is executed, so that unauthorized use by the theft can be surely prevented.

According to the invention described in item (11) , the effect described in item (10) can be obtained by causing a computer to execute processing.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming system using an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, this image forming system includes a copying machine 104 as an image forming apparatus, a scanner 105, and a printer 106, and a plurality of personal computers (referred to as PCs) 102 and 103 as user terminals.

  The copying machine 104, the scanner 105 and the printer 106, and the PCs 102 and 103 are connected via a network 101. The PCs 102 and 103 are connected to the copying machine 104 and the printer 106 via the network 101. , Can give print instructions.

  In addition, devices such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a DVD drive, and a CD-ROM drive are directly connected to the copier 104 (hereinafter, the copier is also referred to as an image forming apparatus).

  The image forming apparatus 104 is a multifunction machine having a function as a fax machine, and can print out a document received by fax.

  The scanner 105 can scan a document (original image) and transmit electronic data obtained by the scanning to the image forming apparatus 104, the PCs 102 and 103, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 104.

  2, the image forming apparatus 104 is connected to a bus 201 of a CPU 200 with a storage unit 203, a print engine unit 204, a scanner unit 205, an external interface unit (indicated as I / F in the drawing) 206, an operation panel 207, and the like. Has been.

  The CPU 200 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 104. Note that illustration and description of the ROM that stores the operation program of the CPU 200 and the RAM that provides the work area of the CPU 200 are omitted.

  In addition to functioning as a password comparison unit that compares the input password with a registered password, the CPU 200 sets a movement permission flag in a state that permits or prohibits movement, and further, It also functions as a state detection unit that detects the state of the image forming apparatus 104 and a determination unit that determines whether the image forming apparatus 104 has moved after the power is turned on. Furthermore, it has a function of limiting the job execution operation of the image forming apparatus 104 in a predetermined case.

  The state detection function is a function for detecting a state for determining whether or not the image forming apparatus 104 has been moved. For example, the state detecting function can detect a state by detecting a device directly connected to the image forming apparatus 104. An example of performing detection can be given. Specifically, when the power is turned off, the devices directly connected to the image forming apparatus 104 such as the HDD 107, the DVD drive 108, the CD-ROM drive 109, or the PC described above are detected and stored. Whether or not the image forming apparatus 104 has been moved can be determined based on whether or not the device detected when the power is turned on thereafter is different from the stored device.

  As another example of the state detection function, communication settings for communicating with external devices on the network 101, such as the PCs 102 and 103 described above, are stored in the storage unit 203, and the network 101 is based on the communication settings. An example in which a network environment is detected by communicating with an external device via a network. If the external device cannot be accessed based on the communication setting when the power is turned on, it can be determined that the image forming apparatus 104 has been moved, assuming that the network environment has changed.

  As another example of the state detection function, an example in which the power-off time is calculated from the time detected when the power is turned on and the previous power-off time stored in the storage unit 203 can be given. The presence or absence of movement of the image forming apparatus 104 is determined by comparing the calculated power-off time with a set allowable time (hereinafter also referred to as movement limit time).

  The storage unit 203 stores information necessary for controlling the engine unit 204, the scanner unit 205, and the like and information necessary for preventing unauthorized use when the image forming apparatus 104 is stolen.

  Information necessary for preventing unauthorized use during theft includes the registered password of the administrator user of the image forming apparatus 104, the time when the power of the image forming apparatus 104 is turned off, the network connection environment of the image forming apparatus 104 (external device) Communication setting), a device directly connected to the image forming apparatus 104, the movement limit time, a state detection result of the image forming apparatus, and the like.

  The storage unit 203 also functions as a movement permission flag storage unit that stores a movement permission flag having two states, a state where the movement of the image forming apparatus 104 is permitted and a state where the movement is prohibited. The movement permission flag may be set by an administrator user inputting from the operation panel 207. However, in this embodiment, the administrator user inputs a password before the power is turned off. If it matches the registered password stored in the storage unit 203, the movement permission flag is automatically set to a movement permission state. Further, when the movement permission flag is in a movement permission state when the power is turned on, the movement permission flag is automatically set to a movement inhibition state. These points will be described later.

  The engine unit 204 prints image data, and the scanner unit 205 reads a document image.

  The external interface unit 206 functions as a communication unit, and controls data exchange with the PCs 102, 103, and the scanner 105, which are external devices. It also communicates with the directly connected HDD 17, DVD drive 108, and CD-ROM drive 109.

  The operation panel 207 includes an operation keyboard unit and a display unit for performing various input instructions.

  The image forming apparatus 104 receives a job execution instruction such as a print instruction from the PC 102 (103) or a print instruction input from the operation panel 207, and starts a printing operation by the scanner unit 205 and the engine unit 204. The PC 102 (103) may function as a printer server.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel 207.

  In FIG. 3, the operation panel 207 uses the menu screen displayed on the screen of the display unit 301 and the operation buttons 302 to set the power-off time, password, and communication settings of the image forming apparatus 104 ( The host IP can be set to change the network environment.

  In the image forming apparatus 104 described above, whether or not the image forming apparatus 104 is moved is determined based on detection of the power-off time or change in the network environment, and the administrator user permits the image forming apparatus 104 to move. When the movement is performed against the user's intention, the job execution operation of the image forming apparatus 104 is restricted. For this reason, it is not necessary to introduce a mechanical movement detection mechanism such as a magnetic sensor, and it can be manufactured at low cost.

  In addition, unless there is a change in the installation location that changes the network environment, or there is no extremely long power off time, the user can use it normally after power on. There is no need for all users to remember their passwords, as when prompted.

  In addition, when the installation location is scheduled to move, by setting the movement permission flag in the movement permission state in advance, there is no inconvenience that the job execution operation is restricted because it is determined that there is movement. .

  Next, when the power of the image forming apparatus 104 is turned off and the power is turned on, if the power off time exceeds the movement restriction time, it is determined that there is a possibility of movement due to theft or the like and the operation is restricted. The processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  This process is executed by the CPU 200 operating according to a program stored in a recording medium such as a ROM (not shown) or the storage unit 203.

  In FIG. 4, in step S001, the image forming apparatus 104 is powered on. Immediately thereafter, in step S002, it is determined whether or not the movement permission flag is set to a movement permission state. If the movement is not permitted, that is, if movement prohibition is set (NO in step S002), in step S004, the time during which the power is turned off is calculated from the power-off time and the current time.

  On the other hand, if the movement permission flag is set to the movement permission state (YES in step S002), in step S003, the movement permission flag is set to movement prohibition, and then the process proceeds to step S014. That is, if the movement permission flag is set to the movement permission state and the movement of the image forming apparatus 104 is permitted, the comparison between the power-off time and the movement restriction time is not performed (step S005). To do. This prevents job execution operations from being restricted after a long-term power off based on the user's intention, such as long-term office leave or moving, so that the job execution operation can be started immediately after the power is turned on. Become.

  Instead of comparing whether or not the power-off time exceeds the movement limit time, the movement limit time may be changed.

  In step S005, it is determined whether or not the power-off time exceeds the movement limit time. If the power-off time does not exceed the movement limit time (NO in step S005), the image forming apparatus 104 is moved due to theft or the like. In other words, it is determined to be normal use, and the process proceeds to step S014 without restricting the operation.

  As for the movement restriction time, a power-off time that is assumed when the administrator user uses the image forming apparatus 104 is set.

  If the power-off time exceeds the movement limit time (YES in step S005), it is determined that there is a possibility that the power has been moved unintentionally due to theft or the like. In step S006, the job execution operation restriction of the image forming apparatus 104 is determined. For example, print prohibition is set. Thereby, unauthorized use of the image forming apparatus 104 by a thief can be prevented.

  In step S007, a password request counter is initialized. The counter for the number of password requests is the number of times a password has been input, and is incremented every time an input error occurs. When this number exceeds the set number, the stored data in the image forming apparatus 104 is erased as will be described later.

  Thereafter, in step S 008, a message requesting password input for determining the administrator user is displayed on the display unit screen 301 of the operation panel 207.

  In step S006, the print prohibition setting is performed as a restriction on the job execution operation. However, any process that restricts the function of the image forming apparatus 104 may be used. Settings such as setting prohibition may be made, or data in the image forming apparatus memory may be erased.

  In step S009, a password input is waited. When a password is input, it is determined in step S010 whether the input password matches a registered password. If the input password matches the registered password (YES in step S010), it is determined in step S015 that the password input person is a legitimate administrator, and in step S015, this is performed in step S006. The operation restriction (printing prohibition) is canceled, and the process proceeds to step S014.

  If the input password does not match the registered password (NO in step S010), the password request count counter is incremented in step S011, and the process proceeds to step S012.

  In step S012, it is determined whether or not the password request count exceeds a predetermined value (limit value). If the password request count counter does not exceed the predetermined value (NO in step S012), the process returns to step S008 and the password is changed. Request again.

  If the password request count counter exceeds the predetermined value (YES in step S012), the stored data in the image forming apparatus 104 is erased in step S013. This is to determine that the device has been moved due to theft or the like when the passwords do not match, so that the personal information of the user who is the original user is not passed to the thief.

  In this manner, it is determined whether or not the apparatus has been moved due to theft or the like by the processing in steps S001 to S014, and after step S014, the normal state or the printing prohibited state is entered. When the administrator password is input in this state, it is possible to change the movement time limit, change the password, and change the setting value for the number of password requests. The process is shown in FIG. 5 (steps S101 to S111).

  In FIG. 5, in step S102, it is determined whether or not there is a password input. The password is input using the panel 207.

  If there is no password input (NO in step S102), the process proceeds to step S110 to check for power off. If there is a password input (YES in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, it is determined whether or not the input password matches the registered password. If the input password does not match the registered password (NO in step S103), the power source of step S110 is determined. Move to off check. If the input password matches the registered password (YES in step S103), the processing in steps S104 to S109 is performed.

  In step S104, the movement permission flag is automatically set to a movement permission state. When the passwords match as described above, the movement permission flag is automatically set to the movement permission state, so that the operation for setting the movement permission flag to the movement permission state is simplified.

  Next, in step S105, a registration acceptance screen for the designated movement time limit is displayed, and an input such as a change in the movement time limit is accepted. In step S106, the movement limit time is changed according to the input. In step S107, a password registration change acceptance screen is displayed to accept a password registration change input. In step S108, a registration password is added or deleted in accordance with the input.

  In step S109, a password request count setting reception screen is displayed to accept setting of the password request count. In step S110, the password request count is changed according to the input, and the change result is stored in the storage unit 203.

  Thereafter, in step S111, it is determined whether a power-off request has been made. If no power-off request has been made (NO in step S111), the process returns to step S102. If a power-off request has been made (YES in step S111), the current time is stored as “time when power is turned off” in step S112, so that the power is turned off in the process of step S004 at the next power-on. After the time can be referred to, the power is turned off in step S112.

  When the power is turned on for the first time, the movement prohibition setting is always set, and a default value is set for the first password and the like. If an administrator or the like inputs a default value at the start of use, various settings can be changed.

  Next, when the network environment of the image forming apparatus 104 is different from that before the previous power-off, the process of determining that the apparatus may have moved due to theft or the like and restricting the operation is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  This process is executed by the CPU 200 operating according to a program stored in a recording medium such as a ROM (not shown) or the storage unit 203.

  In FIG. 6, in step S0010, the image forming apparatus 104 is powered on. Immediately thereafter, in step S0020, it is determined whether or not the movement permission flag is set to a movement permission state. If the movement is not permitted, that is, if movement prohibition is set (NO in step S0020), the process proceeds to step S0040.

  If the movement permission flag is set to the movement permission state (YES in step S0020), in step S0030, the movement permission flag is set to movement prohibition, and then the process proceeds to step S0140.

  In step S0040, after accessing the external device having the registered IP address, for example, the PC 102, it is determined in step S0050 whether or not the access is established. Access may be made to all registered external devices or only a part of the devices.

  If access is established (YES in step S0050), it is determined that the network environment has not changed since the previous power-off, and it is determined that the image forming apparatus 104 has not been moved, and the job execution operation is restricted. Without performing, the process proceeds to step S0140.

  If the connection destination IP address cannot be accessed, that is, if it does not match the registered IP address (NO in step S0050), it may be determined that the network environment is different from the previous power-off and may have been moved unintentionally. If so, in step S0060, the print prohibition is set.

  In step S0070, the above-described password request counter is initialized. Thereafter, in step S0080, a password input for determining the administrator user is requested.

  In step S0060, the print prohibition setting is performed as a restriction on the job execution operation, but any process that restricts the function of the image forming apparatus 104 may be used.

  In step S0090, a password input is waited. When a password is input, it is determined in step S0100 whether the entered password matches the registered password. If the input password matches the registered password (YES in step S0100), it is determined that the password input person is an authorized administrator, and in step S0150, the operation restriction performed in step S0060 is canceled. Then, the process proceeds to step S0140.

  If the input password does not match the registered password (NO in step S0100), in step S0110, the password request count counter is incremented, and the process proceeds to step S0120.

  In step S0120, it is determined whether or not the password request count exceeds a predetermined value (limit value). If the password request count counter does not exceed the predetermined value (NO in step S0120), the process returns to step S0080 again, and the password Request.

  If the password request count counter exceeds the predetermined value (YES in step S0120), the stored data in image forming apparatus 104 is erased in step S0130. This is to determine that the device has been moved due to theft or the like when the passwords do not match, so that the personal information of the user who is the original user is not passed to the thief.

  In this way, the theft is determined by the processing in steps S0010 to S0140, and the normal state or the print prohibited state is entered after step S0140. When the administrator password is input in this state, it is possible to change the movement time limit, change the password, and change the limit on the number of password requests. The process is shown in FIG. 7 (steps S101 to S111).

  In FIG. 7, in step S1020, it is determined whether or not there is a password input. The password is entered using the panel 207.

  If there is no password input (NO in step S1020), the process proceeds to step S1100 to check for power off. If there is a password input (YES in step S1020), the process proceeds to step S1030.

  In step S1030, it is determined whether or not the input password matches the registered password. If the input password does not match the registered password (NO in step S1030), the power off check in step S1100 is performed. Move on. If the input password matches the registered password (YES in step S1020), the processing in steps S1040 to S1090 is performed.

  In step S1040, the movement permission flag is automatically set to a movement permission state, and in step S1041, a registration acceptance screen for the designated IP address is displayed, and a change of the IP address is accepted. In step S1050, the IP address is changed according to the input.

  In step S1060, a password registration change acceptance screen is displayed to accept a password registration change input. In step S1070, the registration password is added or deleted according to the input.

  In step S1080, a password request count setting reception screen is displayed to accept setting of the password request count. In step S1090, the password request count is changed according to the input, and the change result is stored in the storage unit 203.

  Thereafter, in step S1100, it is determined whether a power-off request has been made. If no power-off request has been made (NO in step S1100), the process returns to step S1020 to request a power-off request. If YES (YES at step S1100), the power is turned off at step S1110.

  In the above-described embodiment, a change in the network environment of the image forming apparatus 104 is detected based on whether or not the connection destination IP address has been successfully accessed when the power is turned on. It is determined that there has been an unintentional movement, but it is determined whether the connection setting at power-on is a network environment or a local connection environment such as a USB connection, and detection of a difference from the preset environment is detected. It is also possible to determine whether the image forming apparatus 104 has moved.

  In addition, in the case of automatic IP address acquisition setting (DHCP setting), acquisition of an IP address or the like is executed at the time of startup. Therefore, if it is different from the previous setting, it is determined that an environment change of the image forming apparatus 104 has occurred. can do.

  In addition, state detection is performed by detecting devices such as the HDD 107, the DVD drive 108, and the CD-ROM drive 109 that are directly connected to the image forming apparatus 104, and the connected device after the power is turned on is the connected device before the power is turned off. If it is different from the above, it may be determined that the device has been moved due to theft or the like.

  FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention and is a flowchart corresponding to FIG.

  The fact that the movement permission flag is set to the movement permission state when the power is turned on is considered that the movement permission flag is set to the movement permission before the power is turned off in order to move the image forming apparatus by itself. .

  Therefore, in this embodiment, an opportunity to reset the network environment released by the movement is given. Specifically, if the movement permission flag is set to the movement-permitted state in step S0020 after the power is turned on (YES in step S0020), the movement permission flag is set to movement-inhibited in step S0030. In step S0031, a screen for setting the network environment such as an IP address is displayed on the display unit 301. In step S0032, an input is accepted to set the network environment, and then the process proceeds to step S0140.

  Thereby, when the user intentionally moves the image forming apparatus 104, the network environment can be reset again smoothly.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the network environment setting input screen is always displayed on the display unit 301 when the movement permission flag is set to the movement permission state when the power is turned on. The network environment setting input screen may be displayed on the display unit 301 only when there is a change in the network environment. A flowchart in this case is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, when the movement permission flag is set to the movement permission state in step S0020 after the power is turned on (YES in step S0020), after setting the movement permission flag to movement prohibition in step S0030, In step S0033, the registered IP address is accessed, and in step S0034, it is determined whether or not the access is established.

  If access is established (YES in step S0034), the process proceeds to step S0140 without displaying the network environment setting input screen on the display unit 301. If the access is not established (NO in step S0034), the network environment setting input screen is displayed on the display unit 301 in step S0035. After the input is accepted and the network environment is set in step S0036, the processing in step S0140 is performed. Move on.

  In this way, the network environment setting input screen is displayed even when the network environment setting is unnecessary by displaying the network environment setting input screen on the display unit 301 only when access is not established. Can be prevented, and the processing efficiency can be improved.

  In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the processing other than the case where the movement permission flag is set to the movement permission state (YES in step S0020) is the same as the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. Step numbers are given, and detailed description is omitted.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus used in the system of FIG. 1. 3 is a plan view showing an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for determining whether or not the image forming apparatus has been moved unintentionally during a power-off time. It is a flowchart following FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing for determining whether or not the image forming apparatus has been moved unintentionally from a change in the network environment. It is a flowchart following FIG. Another embodiment of the present invention is shown and is a flowchart corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

101 Network 102, 103 Personal computer (external device)
104 Image forming apparatus 107-109 Directly connected device 200 CPU (flag setting means, control means, state detection means, determination means, password comparison means, password acceptance means)
203 storage unit (movement permission flag storage means, password storage means, communication setting storage means, movement time limit storage means)
301 display

Claims (11)

Flag setting means for setting a movement permission flag having two states of allowing and prohibiting movement of the own device;
Movement permission flag storage means for storing the set movement permission flag;
State detection means for detecting the state of the device itself;
Determination means for determining whether or not the own apparatus has moved, based on the state of the own apparatus detected by the state detecting means after turning on the power of the own apparatus;
Control means for restricting the job execution operation when the determination means determines that the apparatus has moved and the movement permission flag stored in the movement permission flag storage means is in a movement-inhibited state;
Display means,
After the power is turned on, when the movement permission flag stored in the movement permission flag storage means is in the movement permission state, the control means displays the network environment input screen on the display means. An image forming apparatus. Password storage means for storing a user password;
A password acceptance means for accepting an externally input password;
Password comparison means for comparing the received password and the stored password;
With
The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the flag setting unit sets the movement permission flag to a movement permission state when the password received by the password comparison unit matches a stored password. apparatus. Password storage means for storing a user password;
A password acceptance means for accepting an externally input password;
Password comparison means for comparing the received password and the stored password;
With
The control unit requests input of a password after limiting the job execution operation, and when the input password matches the password stored in the password storage unit, the restriction on the job execution operation is released. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The state detection means performs state detection by detecting a device directly connected to its own device, and the determination means is when the connected device after power on is different from the connected device before power off. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus determines that the apparatus has moved.   Communication setting storage means for storing communication settings for communicating with external devices on the network, wherein the state detection means detects a network environment by performing communication based on the stored communication settings, and performs the determination The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means determines that the own apparatus has moved when the network environment after power-on is different from the network environment before power-off.   The state detection unit detects a state by calculating a power-off time, and the determination unit determines that the device has moved when the calculated power-off time exceeds an allowable time. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   When it is determined by the determination means that the apparatus has moved and the movement permission flag stored in the movement permission flag storage means is in a movement-inhibited state, the control means is stored in the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information is deleted.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the limitation of the job execution operation by the control unit is prohibition of a printing operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays an input screen of the network environment on the display unit only when the network environment is changed. Setting a movement permission flag having two states, a state where the movement of the image forming apparatus is permitted and a state where the movement is prohibited;
Storing the set movement permission flag;
Detecting the state of the image forming apparatus;
Determining whether or not the image forming apparatus has moved, based on the detected state of the image forming apparatus after turning on the power of the image forming apparatus;
When it is determined in the determination step that the image forming apparatus has moved, and the stored movement permission flag is in a movement prohibited state;
After the power is turned on, if the stored movement permission flag is in the state of movement permission, displaying a network environment input screen on the display means;
An operation control method for an image forming apparatus. Setting a movement permission flag having two states, a state where the movement of the image forming apparatus is permitted and a state where the movement is prohibited;
Storing the set movement permission flag;
Detecting the state of the image forming apparatus;
Determining whether or not the image forming apparatus has moved, based on the detected state of the image forming apparatus after turning on the power of the image forming apparatus;
When it is determined in the determination step that the image forming apparatus has moved, and the stored movement permission flag is in a movement prohibited state;
After the power is turned on, if the stored movement permission flag is in the state of movement permission, displaying a network environment input screen on the display means;
An operation control program for an image forming apparatus for causing a computer to execute.

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