JP6176010B2 - Image forming apparatus and operation control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an operation control program that allow a second user to interrupt and log in while the first user is logged in.

  In an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) which is a multi-function digital multi-function peripheral, even when one user is logged in and other users are used within the default mode setting range, or Even if it is desired to perform a simple job in which the number setting is changed, if other users cannot log in, the operability is not good.

  Therefore, an image forming apparatus is proposed in which the second user can log in while the first user is logged in.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, when authentication management is performed, a user (second user) who has a use priority over a user (first user) logs in when a user (first user) logs in. A technology is disclosed in which the user's setting state, interruption information, and the like are saved, and when the second user logs out, the saved state is restored.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when another user (second user) interrupts when using a certain user (first user), the interruption information of the first user is saved and the second user is saved. Discloses a technique in which when a user logs out after the use is completed, the first user is put into an authentication waiting state without returning to the login state, and is resumed with the saved interruption information when the first user is authenticated.

JP 2010-122279 A JP 2008-306528 A

  However, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in the conventional technique in which the first user who has been authenticated logs in and uses the apparatus, the second user is allowed to log in. If a large number of jobs can be executed, the first user's operation is hindered, and another problem occurs that the operability of the first user is impaired.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem. In an image forming apparatus that allows a second user to log in while the first user logs in and uses the apparatus, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the first user's operation from being hindered by the user's operation, and to provide an operation control program executed by the image forming apparatus.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
( 1 ) User authentication means for performing user authentication based on input user authentication information ; distance calculation means for calculating a distance between the first user who has been authenticated by the user authentication means and the user 's own apparatus; While the first user is logging in, the distance between the first user and the own device calculated by the distance calculating unit is the operation limit of the own device for the second user who has been authenticated by the user authentication unit and logged in. And a control means for permitting the second user to operate the own apparatus within a range of operation restrictions determined by the determination means. Forming equipment.
( 2 ) User authentication means for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information, and login by receiving authentication by the user authentication means while the first user authenticated by the user authentication means is logging in The operation restriction of the own device for the second user, the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state after the login of the first user, and the occurrence of preset auto-clear for deauthentication for the first user Determination means for determining based on the time until and control means for permitting the second user to operate the device within the range of the operation limit determined by the determination means. An image forming apparatus.
( 3 ) User authentication means for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information, and the first user who has been authenticated by the user authentication means is logged in after being authenticated by the user authentication means. A determination unit that determines an operation limit of the device for the second user based on a set print amount and a set scan amount of the first user, and the operation limit within the range of the operation limit determined by the determination unit. And an image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that permits the user of the second apparatus to operate the apparatus.
( 4 ) User authentication means for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information, and the first user who has been authenticated by the user authentication means is logged in after being authenticated by the user authentication means. And determining the operation restriction of the own device for the second user based on the operation content of the first user and the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state after login, and the determination unit An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for permitting the second user to operate the own apparatus within a range of operation restrictions.
( 5 ) When the second user logs in, any one of the preceding items 1 to 4 , further comprising display means for displaying that another user is logged in and that the operation is restricted. Image forming apparatus.
( 6 ) The image forming apparatus according to item 5 above, wherein the display on the display unit is performed when the second user accesses and receives authentication from another device having a small display unit or no display unit. .
( 7 ) When the second user accesses and authenticates from another device having a small display unit or no display unit, the second user operates the normal operation sound when operating the own device. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 6 , wherein sound is changed.
(8) a user authentication step for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information; a distance calculation step for calculating a distance between the first user who has been authenticated by the user authentication step and logged in; While the first user is logging in, the distance between the first user calculated by the distance calculating step and the operation limit of the own device for the second user who has logged in after receiving the authentication by the user authentication step. And a control step for permitting the second user to operate the apparatus within the range of the operation restriction determined by the determination step. Operation control program for.
(9) A user authentication step for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information, and the first user who has been authenticated by the user authentication step is logged in after being authenticated by the user authentication step while logging in The operation restriction of the own device for the second user, the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state after the login of the first user, and the occurrence of preset auto-clear for deauthentication for the first user And a control step for permitting the second user to operate the apparatus within a range of operation restrictions determined by the determination step. An operation control program for causing a computer to execute.
(10) A user authentication step for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information, and the first user who has been authenticated by the user authentication step is logged in after being authenticated by the user authentication step. A determination step for determining the operation limit of the own device for the second user based on the set print amount and the set scan amount of the first user, and within the range of the operation limit determined by the determination step, An operation control program for causing a computer of the image forming apparatus to execute a control step for allowing the user of the second apparatus to operate the apparatus.
(11) A user authentication step for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information, and the first user who has been authenticated by the user authentication step is logged in after being authenticated by the user authentication step while logging in The operation limit of the own device for the second user is determined by the determination step based on the operation content of the first user and the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state after login, and the determination step An operation control program for causing a computer of the image forming apparatus to execute a control step of permitting the second user to operate the own apparatus within a range of operation restrictions.

According to the invention described in (1) above, the distance between the first user who has logged in after being authenticated by the user authenticating means and the own device is calculated, and the first user is authenticated by the user authenticating means while logging in. In response to this, the operation limit of the own device for the second user who has logged in is determined according to the calculated distance, and within the determined operation limit range, the operation of the own device is performed for the second user. Since it is permitted, for example, the closer the first user is to the image forming apparatus, the smaller the amount of jobs allowed for the second user, and the like, the optimum operation limit is determined according to the distance between the first user and the own apparatus possible, prevents the first operation for hindering the user operation is performed by the second user, a good operability image forming apparatus. Of course, since the image forming apparatus can be used for the second user even when the first user is logged in, the operability is good for the second user.

According to the invention described in ( 2 ) above, the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state after the login of the first user, and the preset auto-clear occurrence for deauthentication for the first user. The optimum operation limit can be determined based on time.

According to the invention described in the preceding item ( 3 ), the optimum operation limit can be determined based on the set print amount and the set scan amount of the first user.

According to the invention described in the preceding item ( 4 ), it is possible to determine the optimum operation limit based on the operation content of the first user and the elapsed time since the last operation after login.

According to the invention described in the preceding item ( 5 ), the logged-in second user can recognize that another user is logged in and that the operation is restricted.

According to the invention described in the preceding item ( 6 ), when two users access and receive authentication from another device having a small display unit or no display unit, the other user is logged in, In addition, the second user who has logged in can effectively recognize that the operation is restricted.

According to the invention described in the preceding item ( 7 ), when the second user accesses and receives authentication from another device having a small display unit or no display unit, the second user operates the own device. By changing the operation sound at the time from the normal operation sound, the user can recognize that it is different from the normal login state.

According to the invention described in the preceding item ( 8 ), while the first user who has been authenticated is logging in, the operation restriction of the own device with respect to the second user who has been authenticated and logged in is restricted between the first user and the own device. determined according to the distance, in the range of the determined operating limit, the process permits operation of the apparatus to the second user, it can be executed by a computer of an image forming apparatus.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the judgment table for determining the operation restriction of the 2nd user who logged in later according to the operation condition of the 1st user who logged in previously. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed when a 2nd user logs in. It is a figure which shows the other example of a judgment table. It is a figure which shows the further another example of a judgment table. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state in which the 1st user who logged in does not operate, and the message displayed on a display part. It is a figure for demonstrating the example in the case of determining the operation restriction with respect to a 2nd user based on the elapsed time from the start of the non-operation state of the 1st user who logged in, and time T2 until auto clear generation | occurrence | production. . 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

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

  In this embodiment, the above-described MFP, which is a multifunction digital multi-function peripheral, is used as the image forming apparatus 1. In the following description, the image forming apparatus is also referred to as an MFP.

  The MFP 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a nonvolatile memory 104, a storage device 105, an operation panel unit 107, an image reading unit 108, and an image processing unit 109. , An image forming unit 110, an image output unit 111, a facsimile control unit 112, a network control unit 113, a user authentication unit 114, and the like.

  The CPU 101 copies the control program stored in the ROM 102 to the RAM 103, and then performs overall control for each function such as a scanner function, a facsimile function, a print function, and a copy function according to the control program on the RAM 103. Further, in this embodiment, the login status of the user to his / her own device is managed, and when a plurality of users log in, the second user who logs in later depends on the operation status of the first user who logged in first. Restrict operations allowed to. As an example, the position information of the mobile terminal device or IC memory owned by the first user is acquired, and the distance between the mobile terminal device and the own device, in other words, the distance between the first user and the own device is obtained. The second user's operation restriction is calculated and the second user's operation restriction is determined according to the result, and control such as allowing the second user's operation within the operation restriction is performed. This point will be described later.

  The nonvolatile memory 104 stores various settings relating to image formation.

  The storage device 105 includes, for example, a hard disk device and stores various information, image data, applications, and the like. In particular, in this embodiment, in order to store authentication information such as an ID code and a password for each user, and to determine the operation content of the second user who logged in after a plurality of users logged in redundantly, A determination table in which the operation contents of the second user are defined in advance for each operation situation of the first user who has previously logged in is stored.

  The operation panel unit 107 operates the MFP 1, displays the state of the MFP 1, and displays a message to the user. The operation panel unit 107 includes a display unit 107 a composed of a liquid crystal with a touch panel, a start key, a reset key, a numeric keypad, and the like. The hard key portion 107b is provided.

  The image reading unit 108 reads an image such as a document and converts it into image data, which is electronic data, and the image processing unit 109 performs image processing necessary for the image data and external print data.

  The image forming unit 110 forms an image based on image processed image data and print data, and the image output unit 111 prints the formed image on paper.

  The facsimile control unit 112 controls transmission / reception of data by facsimile, and the network control unit 113 controls communication with an external device such as a portable terminal device or an information processing device connected via the network.

  The user authentication unit 114 performs user authentication by collating authentication information such as an ID code and a password input by the user with authentication information stored in the storage device 105. The verification authentication information is stored in an external device such as an authentication server, and the user authentication unit 114 transmits the input authentication information to the authentication server, and user authentication is performed based on the authentication result performed by the authentication server. It may be in the form of performing.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

  When the first user inputs authentication information to the MFP 1, user authentication is performed by the user authentication unit 114, and the first user logs in to the MFP 1 when the authentication is successful.

  When the second user inputs authentication information to the MFP 1 during login of the first user, user authentication is performed by the user authentication unit 114, and the second user also logs in to the MFP 1 due to successful authentication.

  However, allowing all operations to the second user may hinder the operation of the first user who has logged in first.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the MFP 1 determines the operation restriction for the second user according to the operation situation of the first user.

  FIG. 2 shows a determination table stored in the storage device 105, and the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 determines an operation restriction based on this determination table.

  The determination table of FIG. 2 shows a case where the operation status of the first user is the operation content of the first user. Further, as the operation content, the operation restriction of the second user is defined in accordance with the first user's set print amount and the set scan amount. The set print amount and the set scan amount of the first user are predicted and calculated from an operation set by the first user, or are calculated from a process being performed.

  Specifically, when the set print amount or the set scan amount of the first user increases, the range for limiting the operation of the second user is set to be small. Conversely, when the print amount or the scan amount is small, the second user The range that restricts the user's operations is set widely. If the print amount or scan amount is large, the processing takes time. Even if the second user is allowed to operate widely, there is no significant effect. However, if the print amount or scan amount is small, the second user's Since the operation tends to be a hindrance, the operation limit of the second user is increased.

  In this embodiment, the operation restriction for the second user is performed on four parameters: the number of originals to be read, the number of output sheets, the number of data transmission destinations, and the number of target files to be operated in the box.

  The CPU 101 of the MFP 1 calculates the set print amount and the set scan amount of the first user, and sets operation restrictions defined in accordance with the calculated set print amount and set scan amount from the determination table of FIG. It is specified and determined as an operation restriction for the second user.

  Then, the operation of the own device is permitted for the second user within the determined operation restriction range.

  As described above, since the operation restriction is performed on the second user, an operation that interferes with the first user operation can be prevented from being performed by the second user, and an image forming apparatus with good operability can be obtained. Become.

  When performing the operation restriction on the second user as described above, as shown in FIG. 3, when the second user logs in, the authentication is successful, the other users are logged in, and the operation is performed. A message 121 indicating that it is restricted may be displayed on the display unit 107 a of the operation panel unit 107 together with the operable button 122. By such a display, the second user who has logged in can recognize that another user is logged in and that the operation is restricted. The display shown in FIG. 3 is desirably displayed in the same manner when the operation of the second user is restricted according to other operation situations of the first user, which will be described later.

  Instead of displaying only the operable buttons 122, buttons that are not permitted to be operated among normal operation buttons may be displayed in gray.

  The display shown in FIG. 3 is particularly preferably performed when the second user accesses the MFP 1 from a device such as another portable terminal device or the like that has a small display unit or no display unit and receives authentication. . Depending on such a device, since the second user cannot know that the first user is logged in, displaying on the display unit 107a of the MFP 1 indicates that other users are logged in. In addition, the second user who has logged in can effectively recognize that the operation is restricted.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of the determination table. This example shows a case where the operation status of the first user is the distance between the first user and the MFP 1, and the operation restriction of the second user is limited according to the distance between the first user and the MFP 1. Is defined. Specifically, if the distance between the first user and the MFP 1 is large, the time until the first user returns to the MFP 1 becomes longer, and the operation permission time for the second user can be secured longer. If the user is allowed to operate widely and the distance between the first user and the MFP 1 is small, the time until the first user returns to the MFP 1 is short, and the operation permission time for the second user cannot be secured long. The operation limit of the second user is increased.

  In the table of FIG. 4, T indicates the operation permission time for the second user determined from the distance to the first user.

  Regarding the distance between the first user and the MFP 1, when the first user inputs authentication information via the IC card or from a portable terminal device having a position information acquisition function, the IC card or portable terminal When the MFP 1 performs data transmission / reception by wireless communication with the apparatus, the CPU 101 calculates a distance from the IC card or the mobile terminal apparatus, that is, a distance from the first user.

  The CPU 101 of the MFP 1 specifies an operation restriction defined corresponding to the calculated distance from the first user from the determination table of FIG. 4 and determines the operation restriction for the second user.

  Then, the operation of the own device is permitted for the second user within the determined operation restriction range.

  Note that, as shown in the determination table of FIG. 5, the operation restriction for the second user may be defined in consideration of both the operation content of the first user and the distance between the first user and the MFP 1. In this case, even if the operation content of the first user is the same, the operation limit of the second user is larger as the distance from the MFP 1 of the first user is closer.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state in which the logged-in first user does not perform an operation and the message displayed on the display unit 107a.

  When a preset time T1 has elapsed since the start of the no-operation state, the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 permits the second user to log in. Assume that the second user performs authentication and logs in to the MFP 1 after a lapse of time t from the start of the no-operation state. Until the second user logs in, the display unit 107a of the MFP 1 displays a message indicating that another user is in use. After the second user logs in, it is displayed that the operation is restricted as shown in FIG.

  When the second user finishes using MFP 1, the second user authentication is released. A message indicating that another authenticated user is in use is displayed again on the display unit 107a of the MFP 1.

  When a preset time T2 has elapsed from the start of the no-operation state, the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 cancels the authentication state of the first user (auto clear), and a normal authentication screen is displayed on the display unit 107a, and the MFP 1 A message prompting the user to enter authentication information is displayed.

  The above-described time T2 from the start of the no-operation state to the occurrence of auto-clear can be changed by the administrator of the MFP 1 and is usually set shorter than the panel reset or sleep timer, but may be set longer. .

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the operation restriction for the second user is determined based on the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state of the logged-in first user and the time T2 until auto-clear occurs. FIG.

  No use other than the first user is allowed from the start of the non-operation state of the logged-in first user until the elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds), but the use of the second user is permitted after the elapse of the predetermined time. To do. The range that can be operated by the second user varies depending on the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state and the remaining time until the time T2 at which the first user may perform the operation again.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, contents that can be operated by the second user when the second user logs in within 15 seconds from the start of the no-operation state and when the second user logs in after 15 seconds. Is different. The longer the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state after login of the first user, the higher the possibility of resuming the operation, so the operation permission range for the second user is smaller (the operation limit is larger).

  In this embodiment, since it is considered difficult for the second user to complete the operation until the time T2 even after the second user logs in after the time (T2-2) seconds, (T2-2) Second user login after second is not permitted.

  It should be noted that the operable range of the second user is switched in 15 seconds from the start of the no-operation state, and the second user's login after the time (T2-2) seconds is not permitted. And the setting of time (T2-2) seconds can be changed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP 1. This operation is executed by the CPU 101 of the MFP 1 operating according to an operation program stored in the ROM 102 or the like.

  In step S01, after allowing the first user to be authenticated, in step S02, after the first user performs the operation, the operation is not completed and is left as it is. The CPU 101 starts counting the timer after performing the operation.

  In step S03, after receiving the input of the ID code / password which is the authentication information of the second user, whether or not the input authentication information matches the reference authentication information stored therein in step S04. Judging. If they do not match (NO in step S04), the process returns to step S03. If they match (YES in step S04), the process proceeds to step S05.

  In step S05, the operation restriction (permitted operation) of the second user is determined based on the operation state of the first user. That is, the operation contents of the first user, the distance between the first user and the own device, the elapsed time from the start of the first user's no-operation state, the time until the occurrence of auto-clear for the first user, etc. Based on this, the operation restriction defined in the determination table is determined.

  Next, in step S06, as shown in FIG. 3, the permitted operations are displayed on the display unit 107a together with a predetermined message.

  Next, in step S07, an operation selected by the second user or pressing of the cancel button is accepted, and in step S08, it is determined whether or not cancel is selected. If cancel has not been selected (NO in step S08), the operation selected by the second user is performed in step S09, and then the process proceeds to step S10. If cancel is selected (YES in step S08), the process directly proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, after the operation of the second user is completed, the authentication state of the second user is canceled.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the operation restriction of the second user who has logged in later is determined according to the operation state of the first user who has previously logged in, and is within the range of the determined operation restriction. Therefore, since the second user is permitted to operate the MFP 1, it is possible to prevent the second user from performing an operation that interferes with the first user operation, and to improve the operability. Can do. Of course, since the MFP 1 can be used for the second user even when the first user is logged in, the operability is good for the second user.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, the determination table for determining the operation restriction of the second user according to the operation state of the first user is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the operation content of the first user and after the login The determination table may define a second user operation restriction according to the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state. In this case, even if the operation content of the first user is the same, the longer the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state after the login of the first user, the higher the possibility that the operation will be resumed. The operation permission range for the user is small (permission limit is large).

  Further, when the second user accesses and is authenticated from another device such as a portable terminal device having a small display unit or no display unit, an operation sound when the second user operates the MFP 1 is normally set. It is desirable to change the operation sound. Depending on the device, the second user cannot know that the first user is logged in. By changing the operation sound, the other users can log in. The second user can be recognized effectively.

1 Image forming apparatus 101 CPU
102 ROM
105 Storage Device 107 Operation Panel 107a Display Unit 114 User Authentication Unit

Claims (11)

A user authentication means for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information;
A distance calculating means for calculating a distance between the first user who has logged in after being authenticated by the user authenticating means ;
While the first user is logging in, the distance between the first user and the own device calculated by the distance calculating unit is the operation limit of the own device for the second user who has been authenticated by the user authentication unit and logged in. Determining means to determine according to
Control means for permitting the second user to operate the device within the range of operation restrictions determined by the determining means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A user authentication means for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information;
While the first user who has been authenticated by the user authenticating means is logging in, the operation restriction of the own apparatus for the second user who has been authenticated and logged in by the user authenticating means is restricted after the first user has logged in. A determination means for determining based on an elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state and a time until the occurrence of auto-clear that is set in advance for deauthentication for the first user ;
Control means for permitting the second user to operate the device within the range of operation restrictions determined by the determining means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A user authentication means for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information;
While the first user who has been authenticated by the user authenticating unit is logging in, the operation limit of the own apparatus for the second user who has been authenticated by the user authenticating unit and logged in is set as the set print amount of the first user. Determining means for determining based on the set scan amount ;
Control means for permitting the second user to operate the device within the range of operation restrictions determined by the determining means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A user authentication means for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information;
While the first user who has been authenticated by the user authenticating means is logging in, the operation restriction of the own device for the second user who has been authenticated and logged in by the user authenticating means is defined as the operation contents of the first user. A determination means for determining based on the elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state after login ;
Control means for permitting the second user to operate the device within the range of operation restrictions determined by the determining means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: When the second user logs in, the image formation according to any of the other that the user is logged in, and claims the operation is provided with a display means for displaying to be limited 1-4 apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the display on the display unit is performed when the second user accesses and is authenticated from another device having a small display unit or no display unit. When the second user accesses from another device whose display unit is small or does not exist and receives authentication, the operation sound when the second user operates the own device is referred to as normal operation sound. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 changes. A user authentication step for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information;
A distance calculating step of calculating a distance between the first user who has been authenticated and logged in by the user authentication step;
While the first user is logging in, the distance between the first user calculated by the distance calculating step and the operation limit of the own device for the second user who has logged in after receiving the authentication by the user authentication step. A decision step to be determined according to
A control step for permitting the second user to operate the device within the range of the operation limit determined by the determination step;
Is an operation control program for causing a computer of the image forming apparatus to execute. A user authentication step for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information;
While the first user who has been authenticated by the user authentication step is logged in, the operation restriction of the own device for the second user who has been authenticated by the user authentication step and logged in is restricted after the login of the first user. A determination step for determining based on an elapsed time from the start of the no-operation state and a time until the occurrence of auto-clear that is set in advance for deauthorizing the first user;
A control step for permitting the second user to operate the device within the range of the operation limit determined by the determination step;
Is an operation control program for causing a computer of the image forming apparatus to execute. A user authentication step for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information;
While the first user who has been authenticated by the user authentication step is logging in, the operation limit of the own apparatus for the second user who has been authenticated and logged in by the user authentication step is set as the set print amount of the first user. And a determination step for determining based on the set scan amount;
A control step for permitting the second user to operate the device within the range of the operation limit determined by the determination step;
Is an operation control program for causing a computer of the image forming apparatus to execute. A user authentication step for performing user authentication based on the input user authentication information;
While the first user who has been authenticated by the user authentication step is logging in, the operation restriction of the own device for the second user who has been authenticated and logged in by the user authentication step is the operation content of the first user. A decision step that is determined based on an elapsed time from the start of no operation after login;
A control step for permitting the second user to operate the device within the range of the operation limit determined by the determination step;
Is an operation control program for causing a computer of the image forming apparatus to execute.

Images