JP4394059B2 - Electronic device system, electronic device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, an image forming apparatus, and an electronic device system in which an electronic device is detachably attached to a storage medium such as a hard disk device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic devices such as image forming apparatuses have been set with various optional devices and software in order to reduce the price of the main body in accordance with their multi-functionality, and users purchase them appropriately according to their needs. It is like that. By the way, confidential information may be stored in a storage medium used for image formation among the various optional devices and software. Therefore, if the storage medium is removed and attached to an image forming apparatus of the same model as the image forming apparatus is discarded or updated, the remaining data that needs to be kept confidential is undesirably reproduced. There is a possibility.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, when a toner cartridge which is a detachable unit is mounted on the device main body, the device main body determines whether or not the detachable unit is suitable, and issues a warning if it is not suitable. Alternatively, an image forming apparatus that does not perform a printing operation has been proposed. Specifically, information on the device main body that is compatible with the detachable unit is stored, information on the remaining toner amount is written from the device main body, and the information can be rewritten so that the information is not falsified by a third party. It is possible to judge whether it is legitimate. Therefore, by applying this technique to a storage medium such as the hard disk device, image formation using an incompatible storage medium is not performed.
JP 2004-145170 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, if the remaining amount of toner is not increased in a combination of genuine products (determined that the remaining amount of toner has increased, it has been refilled), and can be used. Therefore, when this technology is applied to a storage medium, an image forming operation using an incompatible storage medium is not permitted. However, in an image forming apparatus that is compatible (compatible) with the storage medium of the same model or the like, There is a possibility that the image forming operation is permitted and data that needs to be kept confidential is reproduced.

  On the other hand, in order to solve such a problem, there is a method in which the storage medium and the device main body perform unique authentication. However, if the device main body is broken and replaced, the storage medium is an optional product. There is a problem that it becomes impossible to reuse.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, an image forming apparatus, and an electronic device system that can achieve both confidentiality maintenance of a storage medium extracted from the electronic device and ease of reuse of the storage medium. .

The electronic device system of the present invention is an electronic device system comprising an electronic device and a storage medium detachable from the electronic device,
The electronic device stores password input means for inputting a password by a user, output means for outputting the password input to the password input means to a unique information storage area of the storage medium, and identification information of the electronic device Storage means and control means for controlling the operation of each part of the electronic device,
The storage medium has a unique information storage area for storing identification information of an electronic device permitted to use the storage medium and a password output from the output unit of the electronic device,
When the control means of the electronic device matches the identification information stored in the unique information storage area of the storage medium attached to the electronic device and the identification information stored in the storage means of the electronic device Allows the operation using the storage medium, and if the identification information does not match, the password input from the user to the password input means is the password stored in the unique information storage area. If they match, the operation using the storage medium is allowed.

  According to this configuration, the storage medium is provided with a storage area for specific information for storing the identification information and password of the electronic device separately from the storage area for the original data (in the case of a hard disk device, the storage area on the disk is provided). An IC memory or the like provided separately from the area and the disk may be used), and the electronic device is provided with input means for inputting a password and control means for controlling the operation of each part of the device. This control means reads the information in the unique information storage area of the storage medium when power is turned on or when the storage medium is mounted, and determines whether the operation using the storage medium is permitted / not permitted.

  In addition, when the identification information stored in the unique information storage area of the storage medium matches the identification information of the own device, the control means of the electronic device has installed a storage medium with an appropriate usage history in the past. It is judged that it is present and the operation is allowed. If the identification information does not match, the control means determines that a used storage medium having no proper usage history has been installed in the past, and then the user inputs a password to the input means. wait. When the password is not entered, or if the entered password does not match the password stored in the unique information storage area of the storage medium, the control means disallows the operation using the storage medium, When these passwords match, it is determined that the authorized user has changed the storage medium, and the operation using the storage medium is permitted.

  Therefore, even if a storage medium that needs to be kept secret is removed when the electronic device is discarded or updated, it can be kept secret even if it is attached to a compatible electronic device such as the same model. On the other hand, even if an electronic device breaks down and the storage medium is removed and attached to another electronic device for reuse, an authorized user can easily extract information stored in the storage medium. Can do.

  Further, the electronic device system of the present invention is configured so that the control means of the electronic device outputs the output when neither the identification information nor the password can be read from a unique information storage area of a storage medium attached to the electronic device. The means outputs the identification information stored in the storage means of the electronic device and the password input from the user to the password input means to the unique information storage area of the storage medium, and the control means The operation using the medium is permitted.

  In this configuration, for example, when the power is turned on for the first time after the new storage medium is mounted on the electronic device, the unique information storage area of the storage medium is in a state in which the password is not stored. The password input means outputs the password input by the user to the unique information storage area of the storage medium and stores it, and then permits the operation using the storage medium.

The electronic device of the present invention is an electronic device in which a storage medium is detachable,
A password input means for the user to input a password;
Output means for outputting and writing the password input to the password input means to the storage medium;
Storage means for storing identification information of the electronic device;
Control means for controlling the operation of each part of the electronic device,
The control means permits the operation using the storage medium when the identification information stored in the storage means matches the identification information read from the storage medium, and the identification information does not match. In this case, if the password input from the user to the password input means matches the password read from the storage medium, the operation using the storage medium is permitted.

  In the electronic device of the present invention, the control unit can read both the identification information and the password from the specific information storage area when the specific information storage area of the storage medium mounted on the electronic device is confirmed. If not, the output means outputs the identification information stored in the storage means of the electronic device and the password input from the user to the password input means to the unique information storage area of the storage medium, and the control The means permits an operation using the storage medium.

  According to these configurations, even if a storage medium that requires confidentiality is removed when the electronic device is discarded or renewed and installed in a compatible electronic device such as the same model, the confidentiality is maintained. On the other hand, even if an electronic device breaks down and the storage medium is removed and attached to another electronic device for reuse, information stored in the storage medium can be easily accessed by authorized users. Can be taken out.

  In addition, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus.

  According to the above configuration, in the image forming apparatus, there is a high possibility that important information that needs to be kept confidential is stored in the removable storage medium such as a hard disk, and the present invention is particularly suitable.

  In the electronic device, the image forming apparatus, and the electronic device system of the present invention, a storage medium that needs to be kept confidential is removed when the electronic device is discarded or updated, and is mounted on a compatible electronic device such as the same model. Even if it is, it can keep confidential. Even if the storage medium is removed due to an electronic device failure, etc., and mounted and reused by another electronic device, the storage medium can be easily used by a legitimate user. As a result, it is possible to maintain both confidentiality of the storage medium extracted from the electronic device and ease of reuse of the storage medium.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a mechanical configuration of a multifunction machine 1 which is an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-function peripheral means an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions related to image formation such as a copying function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function. The multifunction device 1 generally includes a main body unit 200, a sheet post-processing unit 300 disposed on the left side of the main body unit 200, an operation unit 400 for a user to input various operation commands and the like, A document reading unit 500 disposed on the upper portion of the unit 200 and a document feeding unit 600 disposed above the document reading unit 500 are configured. An optional HDD (an example of a storage medium, a hard disk drive) 74 is attached to the multifunction device 1 to constitute an electronic device system.

  The operation unit 400 includes a touch panel 401, a start key 402, a numeric keypad 403, and the like. The touch panel 401 displays various operation screens including a screen for setting the enlargement / reduction ratio and copy density, and displays various operation buttons for the user to input various operation commands. The start key 402 is used for the user to input a print execution command and the like, and the ten key 403 is used for inputting the number of copies to be printed.

  The document feeding unit 600 includes a document placement unit 601, a document discharge unit 602, a paper feed roller 603, a document transport unit 604, and the like, and the document reading unit 500 includes a scanner 501 and the like. The paper feed roller 603 feeds the original set on the document placement unit 601, and the document transport unit 604 transports the fed document one by one on the scanner 501 one by one. The scanner 501 sequentially reads the conveyed document, and the read document is discharged to the document discharge unit 602.

  The main body 200 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 201, a plurality of paper feed rollers 202, a transfer roller 203, an intermediate transfer body roller 204, a photosensitive drum 205, an exposure device 206, and yellow, magenta, cyan, and black colors. Developing devices 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207K, a fixing roller 208, a discharge port 209, and a discharge tray 210 are provided.

  The photosensitive drum 205 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. The exposure device 206 converts the modulation signal generated based on the image data of the original read by the original reading unit 500 into a laser beam and outputs it, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 205 for each color. The developing devices 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207K supply each color developer to the photosensitive drum 205 to form a toner image for each color. The intermediate transfer roller 204 is transferred with the toner image of each color from the photosensitive drum 205, and a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer roller 204.

  On the other hand, the paper feeding roller 202 pulls out the recording paper from the paper feeding cassette 201 in which the recording paper is stored, and feeds the recording paper to the transfer roller 203. The transfer roller 203 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer body roller 204 onto the conveyed recording paper, and the fixing roller 208 heats and fixes the transferred toner image on the recording paper. Thereafter, the recording paper is carried into the paper post-processing unit 300 from the discharge port 209 of the main body unit 200. The recording paper is also discharged to the discharge tray 210 as necessary.

  The paper post-processing unit 300 includes a carry-in port 301, a recording paper transport unit 302, a carry-out port 303, a stack tray 304, and the like. The recording paper transport unit 302 sequentially transports the recording paper carried into the carry-in port 301 from the discharge port 209 and finally ejects the recording paper from the carry-out port 303 to the stack tray 304. The stack tray 304 is configured to move up and down in the direction of the arrow in accordance with the number of recording sheets stacked from the carry-out port 303.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the electronic device system 10 including the multifunction device 1 and the HDD 74. The electronic device system 10 generally includes a scanner unit 11, an image processing unit 21, a printer unit 31, a data memory 36, a control unit 41, an operation panel unit 51, a facsimile communication unit 61, a network I / F unit 71, a parallel I The MFP 1 includes the MFP 1 having the / F unit 72 and the serial I / F unit 73, and an HDD 74 that is optionally mounted.

  The scanner unit 11, the image processing unit 21, the data memory 36, the control unit 41, the operation panel unit 51, and the network I / F unit 71 are the operation unit 400, the document reading unit 500, and the document feeding unit shown in FIG. These components correspond to 600, and a network scanner function for transmitting the captured image data to a pre-specified IP address is realized. The scanner unit 11, the image processing unit 21, the printer unit 31, the data memory 36, the control unit 41, the operation panel unit 51, and the facsimile communication unit 61 include the main body unit 200, the operation unit 400, and the document reading shown in FIG. It corresponds to the unit 500 and the document feeding unit 600, and a facsimile function is realized by these units. Furthermore, the image processing unit 21, the printer unit 31, the control unit 41, the operation panel unit 51, the network I / F unit 71, and the parallel I / F unit 72 are added to the main body unit 200 and the operation unit 400 shown in FIG. Correspondingly, a printer function is realized by these units. The scanner unit 11, the image processing unit 21, the printer unit 31, the control unit 41, and the operation panel unit 51 include a main body unit 200, a sheet post-processing unit 300, an operation unit 400, an original reading unit 500, These units correspond to the document feeding unit 600, and a copy function is realized by these units.

  The operation panel unit 51 is used for a user to perform operations related to a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and the like, and gives an operation command (command) or the like by the user to the control unit 41. The operation panel unit 51 includes a display unit 52 having a touch panel and the like, and an operation key unit (password input means) 53 having a start key, a numeric keypad, and the like. The display unit 52 includes a touch panel unit that can display colors by combining a touch panel and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), displays various operation screens, and enables input operations. For example, a facsimile function At the time of execution, information on user selection, transmission destination selection, transmission setting, and the like is displayed, and operation buttons and the like for inputting various operation commands by the user touching the part are displayed. The operation key unit 53 is used for inputting various instructions such as a copy execution start command or a facsimile transmission start command by the user.

  The scanner unit 11 optically acquires a document image and generates image data. The scanner unit 11 includes an exposure lamp 12 and a CCD (charge coupled device) 13. The scanner unit 11 irradiates the document with the exposure lamp 12 and receives the reflected light with the CCD 13, thereby reading the document image and outputting image data corresponding to the read image to the image processing unit 21. The scanner unit 11 may be capable of reading not only monochrome originals but also color originals and photographic originals.

  The image processing unit 21 performs various image processing on the image data. For example, the image processing unit 21 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and γ correction, image data compression or expansion processing, enlargement or reduction processing on image data obtained by being read by the scanner unit 11. Various image processing (processing processing) is performed. The image processing unit 21 includes an image memory 22 and stores processed image data or the like in the image memory 22 or outputs it to the printer unit 31, the facsimile communication unit 61, the network I / F unit 71, or the like.

  The printer unit 31 receives original image data read by the scanner unit 11, image data received from an external personal computer or the like via the network I / F unit 71, and received from an external facsimile apparatus by the facsimile communication unit 61. An image corresponding to image data such as fax data is printed on a predetermined recording sheet. The printer unit 31 includes a paper transport unit 32 having a paper feed cassette and paper feed rollers, an image transfer unit 33 having an intermediate transfer body roller, a photosensitive drum, an exposure device, a developing device, etc., a transfer unit having a transfer roller, etc. 34, and a fixing unit 35 having a fixing roller and the like. Specifically, the paper transport unit 32 transports the recording paper to the image forming unit 33, the image forming unit 33 forms a toner image corresponding to the image data, and the transfer unit 34 transfers the toner image to the recording paper. The fixing unit 35 fixes the toner image on the recording paper to form an image.

  The data memory 36 is a storage means that stores in advance the destination name and the facsimile number of the short button registration when performing facsimile communication, and also the IP address of the transmission destination when used as a network scanner. I remember it. These stored contents can be appropriately rewritten by the control unit 41 by an input operation to the operation panel unit 51.

  The control unit (control unit) 41 is a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program that defines the operation of the CPU in a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown). In addition, peripheral devices such as a RAM for temporarily storing data and a nonvolatile storage unit are included. As a result, the control unit 41 controls the entire multifunction device 1 in accordance with the instruction information received by the operation panel unit 51 and the like and the detection signals from the sensors provided in various parts of the multifunction device 1. More specifically, the control unit 41 includes a scanner controller 42, a facsimile controller 43, a printer controller 44, a copy controller 45, an authentication unit (control means) 46 described later, and unique information of the HDD 74 attached to the multifunction device 1. It functions as a data output unit (output means) 47 that outputs and writes the ID and password to the storage area 74a.

  The program can be supplied through a recording medium such as a ROM or a CD-ROM, or can be supplied through a transmission medium such as a network connected to the network I / F unit 71. The transmission medium is not limited to a wired transmission medium, and may be a wireless transmission medium. The transmission medium includes not only a communication line but also a relay device that relays the communication line, for example, a communication link such as a router.

  When the program is supplied through the ROM, the ROM in which the program is recorded is mounted on the control unit 41 so that the program can be executed by the CPU. When the program is supplied through a CD-ROM, the CD-ROM reader can be connected to the parallel I / F unit 72, for example, and transferred to the RAM, so that the program can be executed by the CPU. When the program is supplied through a transmission medium, the program received through the network I / F unit 71 can be transferred to the RAM for execution by the CPU.

  The scanner controller 42 controls the operation of each unit used to realize the scanner function. The facsimile controller 43 controls the operation of each unit used to implement the facsimile function. The printer controller 44 controls the operation of each unit used for realizing the printer function. The copy controller 45 controls the operation of each unit used for realizing the copy function.

  The facsimile communication unit 61 includes an encoding / decoding unit (not shown), a modem unit (not shown), and an NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown), and an image of a document read by the scanner unit 11. Data is transmitted to another facsimile apparatus via a telephone line or an Internet line, or image data transmitted from another facsimile apparatus is received. The encoding / decoding unit compresses and encodes image data to be transmitted, and decompresses and decodes received image data. The modem unit modulates the compressed and encoded image data into an audio signal. Or a received signal (audio signal) is demodulated into image data. The NCU controls connection via a telephone line with a facsimile apparatus as a transmission / reception destination.

  The network I / F unit 71 uses a network interface (for example, 10 / 100Base-TX) or the like to control transmission / reception of various data to / from a user side server connected via the network. When one or more terminal devices (not shown) such as a personal computer are connected to the network, the network I / F unit 71 controls transmission / reception of various data to / from these terminal devices. For example, the network I / F unit 71 transmits document image data read by the scanner unit 11 to the terminal device or receives image data sent from the terminal device for printing by the printer unit 31.

  The parallel I / F unit 72 receives print data or the like from an external device or the like by parallel transmission using a high-speed bidirectional parallel interface (for example, conforming to IEEE 1284) or the like and transmitting data in units of a plurality of bits using a plurality of signal lines. It is to be equal. The serial I / F unit 73 uses a serial interface (for example, RS-232C) or the like, and receives various data from an external device or the like by serial transmission that sequentially transmits data bit by bit using a single signal line. To do.

  The HDD 74 is a detachable storage medium that is optionally added. The HDD 74 stores image data read by the scanner unit 11, image data transmitted via a network, an output format set for the image data, and the like. It is something to remember. By adding the HDD 74, it becomes possible to read a document without interlocking with the print output or to read a large number of documents continuously. The image data stored in the HDD 74 is not only used in the multifunction device 1 but also confirmed by the terminal device or transferred to a predetermined folder of the terminal device via the network I / F unit 71. As a result, it is used in the terminal device.

  In the multifunction machine 1, various functions are realized by combining the above-described functions. For example, a PC transmission function, an E-mail transmission function, a FAX transmission function, or the like may be realized as the scanner function. Here, the PC transmission function is a function for directly transmitting image data read from a document to an arbitrary terminal device or the like via a network. The E-mail transmission function transmits image data read from a document as an attached file of an e-mail directly to, for example, an SMTP server (not shown) via a network, and from the SMTP server to an arbitrary external device via the network. This is a function for transmitting image data read from a document as an attached file of an electronic mail by transmitting the electronic mail to a terminal device or the like. The FAX transmission function is a function for directly transmitting image data read from a document to an arbitrary facsimile machine or the like via a telephone line or the like.

  The HDD 74 has a unique information storage for storing an ID (identification information unique to the image forming apparatus permitted to mount the HDD 74) and a password input from the user to the multifunction device 1 in the original data storage area. It has the area | region 74a.

  The authentication unit 46 of the control unit 41 serving as a control unit reads information from the unique information storage area 74a of the HDD 74 at, for example, at least one timing when the MFP 1 is turned on or when the HDD 74 is mounted. Authenticate whether or not

  Next, an operation permission determination process when the HDD 74 is mounted on the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation permission determination process when the HDD 74 is mounted in the multifunction machine 1.

  When the control unit 41 of the multifunction device 1 detects that the HDD 74 is installed in the multifunction device 1 (YES in S1), the control unit 41 stores the ID and password from the unique information storage area 74a of the installed HDD 74. Attempt to read (S2). Here, when the control unit 41 does not read the ID and password from the unique information storage area 74a, that is, when the ID and password are not stored in the unique information storage area 74a (YES in S3), the control unit 41 The display unit 52 displays a message prompting the user to input a password as shown in FIG. 3 by determining that the HDD 74 is new and the MFP 1 is powered on for the first time with the HDD 74 mounted. (S4).

  After a message is displayed on the display unit 52, if a password is input by operating the operation key unit 53 by the user (YES in S5), the data output unit 47 displays the input password and a part of the control unit 41. The ID of the own device (multifunction device 1) stored in the non-volatile storage unit (storage means) not shown is output and written to the unique information storage area 74a of the HDD 74 (S6), and the control unit 41 Permits the operation of the MFP 1 and the HDD 74 using the mounted HDD 74 (S7).

  On the other hand, in S3, when the control unit 41 can read the ID and password from the unique information storage area 74a (NO in S3), it is the HDD 74 that has already been used, and the authentication unit 46 It is determined whether or not the ID of the own device (multifunction device 1) stored in the storage unit (storage means) matches the ID read from the unique information storage area 74a of the HDD 74 (S8).

  If the authentication unit 46 determines that these two IDs match (YES in S8), since the HDD 74 having an appropriate usage history in the past has been installed, the control unit 41 identifies the installed HDD 74. The operation of the multifunction device 1 and the HDD 74 used is permitted (S7). If the authentication unit 46 determines that these two IDs do not match (NO in S8), a used HDD without a proper use history in the machine has been installed in the past. A message as shown in FIG. 3 urging the user to input is displayed on the display unit 52 (S9).

  After a message is displayed on the display unit 52, if a password is input by the operation of the operation key unit 53 by the user (YES in S10), the authentication unit 46 stores the input password and the unique information of the HDD 74 first. It is determined whether or not the password read from the area 74a matches (S11). If the two passwords match (YES in S11), since the authorized user who owns (purchased) the HDD 74 has replaced the password, the control unit 41 uses the HDD 74 that has been mounted. The operation of the machine 1 and the HDD 74 is permitted (S7). If the two passwords do not match (NO in S11), the control unit 41 permits the operation of the MFP 1 and the HDD 74 using the mounted HDD 74 because the authorized user has not changed the password. No (S12). Even when the user does not input a password in S10 (NO in S10), the control unit 41 does not permit the operation of the MFP 1 and the HDD 74 using the mounted HDD 74 (S12).

  Therefore, even if the HDD 74 that needs to be kept confidential is removed when the multifunction device 1 is discarded or updated, and installed in a compatible multifunction device such as the same model, the multifunction device 1 has the HDD 74 as its own device. Since permission / non-permission of the operation is determined according to whether or not it is adapted, the confidentiality stored in the HDD 74 can be maintained. Further, even if the HDD 74 is removed due to a failure of the multifunction device 1 and is mounted on another multifunction device and reused, if the authorized user matches the password, the HDD 74 can be used. it can. That is, it is possible to achieve both confidentiality of information stored in the HDD 74 removed from the multifunction machine 1 and ease of reuse of the HDD 74.

  The present invention can be applied not only to the image forming apparatus such as the multifunction machine 1 but also to all electronic devices that use a removable storage medium. However, when applied to an image forming apparatus, the HDD 74 or the like The present invention is particularly suitable because there is a high possibility that important information that needs to be kept confidential is stored in a removable storage medium.

  In the above-described example, a part of the original data storage area in the HDD 74 is caused to function as the unique information storage area 74a. However, as the unique information storage area 74a, a storage device such as an IC, for example, is separate from the original data storage area. A memory or the like may be provided. In this case, it is possible to eliminate the need to activate the original data storage area (hard disk in a narrow sense) of the HDD 74 for the authentication by the authentication unit 47.

  In the above embodiment, the HDD 74 is of a type built into the multi-function device 1. However, the HDD 74 according to the present invention is not limited to a built-in type, and is a so-called external type. It doesn't matter.

  The ID and password are changed by formatting the hard disk after the passwords match.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the mechanical structure of the multifunctional machine which is an electric equipment of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. It is a figure which shows an example of a password input screen. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation permission determination process when an HDD is mounted on a multifunction machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunctional device 10 Electronic device system 11 Scanner part 21 Image processing part 31 Printer part 36 Data memory 37 Backup power supply 37a, 37b Electrode 38 Capacitor 39 Diode 41 Control part 42 Scanner controller 43 Facsimile controller 44 Printer controller 45 Copy controller 46 Authentication part 47 Data output unit 51 Operation panel unit 61 Facsimile communication unit 71 Network I / F unit 72 Parallel I / F unit 73 Serial I / F unit 74 HDD
74a Unique information storage area

Claims (5)

An electronic device system comprising an electronic device and a storage medium detachable from the electronic device,
The electronic device stores password input means for inputting a password by a user, output means for outputting the password input to the password input means to a unique information storage area of the storage medium, and identification information of the electronic device Storage means and control means for controlling the operation of each part of the electronic device,
The storage medium has a unique information storage area for storing identification information of an electronic device permitted to use the storage medium and a password output from the output unit of the electronic device,
When the control means of the electronic device matches the identification information stored in the unique information storage area of the storage medium attached to the electronic device and the identification information stored in the storage means of the electronic device Allows the operation using the storage medium, and if the identification information does not match, the password input from the user to the password input means is the password stored in the unique information storage area. An electronic device system that allows an operation using the storage medium if they match.   When the control unit of the electronic device cannot read either the identification information or the password from the unique information storage area of the storage medium attached to the electronic device, the output unit stores the storage unit of the electronic device. The stored identification information and the password input from the user to the password input means are output to the unique information storage area of the storage medium, and the control means permits the operation using the storage medium. The electronic device system according to claim 1. An electronic device in which a storage medium is detachable,
A password input means for the user to input a password;
Output means for outputting and writing the password input to the password input means to the storage medium;
Storage means for storing identification information of the electronic device;
Control means for controlling the operation of each part of the electronic device,
The control means permits the operation using the storage medium when the identification information stored in the storage means matches the identification information read from the storage medium, and the identification information does not match. In this case, an electronic device that allows an operation using the storage medium if a password input to the password input unit by a user matches the password read from the storage medium.   When the control means cannot read either the identification information or the password from the unique information storage area when confirming the unique information storage area of the storage medium attached to the electronic device, the output means The identification information stored in the storage means of the electronic device and the password input from the user to the password input means are output to the unique information storage area of the storage medium, and the control means uses the storage medium. The electronic device according to claim 1, which permits all operations.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the electronic apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

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